Horned viper Facts Horned viper is a type of venomous, terrestrial snake that is native to North Africa and Middle East. This snake inhabits stony deserts and semi-arid habitats on the altitude of up to feet. Horned vipers are ecologically important because they keep number of rodents under control. Habitat destruction, pollution, over-collecting due to venom and introduction of new species negatively affect number of horned vipers in the wild.
Despite all these factors, population of horned vipers is still stable. These animals are not on the list of endangered species. Interesting Horned viper Facts: Horned viper can reach 12 to 24 inches in length. Females are larger than males. Color of the body matches with the colors of the environment. Upper parts of horned viper are usually sandy, yellowish, pale brown or grayish, covered with light brown crossbars or blotches. The "horns" on this viper may help to protect its eyes from injury or may simply contribute to the snake's camouflage.
The horned desert viper can burrow quickly into the sand by rapid sideways movements of its body, leaving only the head and eyes visible.
However, in its natural environment, loose sand may not be available, and the snake will then hide under a rock or in the burrow of another animal. The color of the snake helps to camouflage it against sand or rocky ground, especially when it is partially buried. Cerastes cerastes is an ambush hunter, lurking quietly in a half-buried position until an unwary lizard or rodent comes within reach, and then lunging quickly to capture its prey. Although this is not a rattlesnake, it can make a sound by scraping its scales against one another.
The venom is hemotoxic. They usually are not aggressive when approached. This snake comes from the Sahara Desert in Africa where it was found. These animals are not on the list of endangered species. The Desert Horned Viper can deliver a bite that — while not usually fatal — can have serious consequences. Despite its name, the snake is not black. Instead, it ranges in colour from gray to dark brown, with a lighter underside. The black actually refers to the colour of the inside of its mouth; green mambas and other snakes have white mouths.
The black mamba is found in rocky savannas and lowland forests. The separated pieces of snakes and lizards may seem to be alive but they will eventually stop moving and die because their blood supply is cut.
This is typically due to interbreeding with other vipers. There are 3 known subspecies. Even though they suffer at the hands of pollution, habitat destruction, over-collecting for venom , and introduction of new species, these snakes are still listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.
Scientific name: Cerastes cerastes Weight: Up to 1. Length: Up to 2 feet Lifespan: Up to 18 years. Horned vipers are nocturnal active at night that spend their days nestled into the sandy soil, for protection from predators and the hot sun.
These vipers travel about by sidewinding, leaving whole body impressions in the sand behind them. Being ambush predators, they lay in wait for passing prey to happen by. They then strike with great speed and hold onto their victim till the venom takes affect. Some other horned vipers include, in part, the horned puff adder Bitis caudalis and the sand viper Vipera ammodytes. Did you know…? A bite results in swelling, haemorrhaging excessive blood loss , necrosis tissue death , nausea, vomiting, and haematuria blood in urine.
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