Cerastes cerastes facts for kids
The Cerastes cerastes, also known as the Saharan horned viper or desert horned viper, is a fascinating snake. It lives in the hot deserts of Northern Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Levant. You can often spot it by the two small "horns" above its eyes. However, some of these vipers don't have horns at all! Scientists have identified three different types, or subspecies, of this snake.
Quick facts for kids Cerastes cerastesTemporal range: Pleistocene-recent
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
|
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Viperidae |
| Genus: | Cerastes |
| Species: |
C. cerastes
|
| Binomial name | |
| Cerastes cerastes (Linnaeus, 1758)
|
|
| Script error: The function "autoWithCaption" does not exist. | |
Script error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters".
Contents
About the Saharan Horned Viper
What Does It Look Like?
Saharan horned vipers usually grow to be about 30 to 60 centimeters (12 to 24 inches) long. The longest ones can reach up to 85 centimeters (about 33 inches). Female vipers are typically larger than males.
The most special feature of this snake is the pair of "horns" above each eye. These horns can be different sizes, and some vipers might not have them. Their eyes are quite big and sit on the sides of their head. Males often have bigger heads and eyes than females.
Their skin color helps them blend in perfectly with their surroundings. They can be yellowish, pale grey, pinkish, reddish, or light brown. This camouflage helps them hide in the sand. Along their back, they have a row of dark, rectangular spots. These spots might sometimes join together to form stripes. Their belly is white, and their tail is usually thin, sometimes with a black tip.
Common Names for This Snake
People call the Cerastes cerastes by many names. Some common ones are desert sidewinding horned viper, Saharan horned viper, and desert horned viper. In Egypt, it's known as el-ṭorîsha, and in Libya, it's called um-Goron.
Where Does It Live?
You can find the Saharan horned viper in many desert areas. It lives in countries like Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Yemen, Jordan, Israel, Qatar, Mauritania, Morocco, and Kuwait. It also lives across North Africa, including Libya, Egypt, and Sudan.
This snake loves dry, sandy places. It prefers areas with a few rocks but tries to avoid very rough sand. Sometimes, you might even find it near oases. It can live at altitudes up to 1,500 meters (about 4,900 feet). It prefers cooler desert temperatures, usually where the average annual temperature is 20°C (68°F) or less.
How Does It Behave and What Does It Eat?
_tracks_in_sand.jpg)
The Saharan horned viper moves in a special way called sidewinding. When it sidewinds, it presses its body into the sand. This leaves clear, S-shaped tracks. You can even count its belly scales from these tracks!
This snake is usually calm. But if it feels threatened, it will coil its body into a C-shape. Then, it quickly rubs its rough scales together. This makes a loud rasping sound, like a warning.
In the wild, the Saharan horned viper is an ambush hunter. It hides by burying itself in the sand, often near rocks or plants. It waits patiently for its prey to come close. Its diet mainly includes lizards, especially geckos, small rodents, and birds. It also eats animals like jerboas and certain types of wagtails and chiffchaffs. These vipers are known to travel far at night to find food. When they catch prey, they strike very fast. They hold onto their meal until their venom works.
The Life Cycle of the Horned Viper
Saharan horned vipers mate in April. During mating, they are often buried in the sand. This snake lays eggs, which means it is oviparous. A female viper lays between 8 and 23 eggs. These eggs hatch after about 50 to 80 days. She usually lays her eggs under rocks or in old rodent burrows. When a baby viper hatches, it is about 12 to 15 centimeters (5 to 6 inches) long, including its tail.
Understanding Its Venom
The Saharan horned viper is a venomous snake. Its venom can cause swelling and pain around the bite area. It's important to get medical help right away if someone is bitten. Scientists have studied the venom and found it contains different substances. These substances can affect the body in various ways. While the amount of venom can vary, it is potent and requires immediate medical attention.
Different Types of Horned Vipers
Scientists recognize a few different types, or subspecies, of the Saharan horned viper:
- Cerastes cerastes hoofieni – Found in Saudi Arabia.
- Cerastes cerastes karlhartli – Also known as the Egyptian horned viper, found in southeast Egypt and the Sinai Peninsula.
- Cerastes cerastes mutila – Also known as the Algerian horned viper, found in southwest Algeria and Morocco.
Another type of viper, Cerastes gasperettii, was once thought to be a subspecies of Cerastes cerastes. However, it is now considered its own separate species.
