Desert horned vipers (Cerastes cerastes) are abundant and easily recognizable across their Middle Eastern and northern African desert habitats. [2] Envenomation usually causes swelling, haemorrhage, necrosis, nausea, vomiting, and haematuria. The snake’s range essentially spans the Sahara Desert, from Morocco and Mauritania on the western side of the African continent to Egypt and Sudan on the eastern side. A report of this species being found in Lebanon is unlikely, according to Joger (1984). A report of this species being found in Lebanon is unlikely, according to Joger (1984). [4] There is significant sexual dimorphism, with males having larger heads and larger eyes than females. Characteristics: As with all true vipers that live in the desert, it finds refuge by burrowing in the heat of the day, coming out at night to feed. Hatchlings are usually between 12 and 15 cm. A high phospholipase A2 content may cause cardiotoxicity and myotoxicity. It is found in arid North Africa (Morocco, Mauritania and Mali, eastward through Algeria, Tunisia, Niger, Libya and Chad to Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia) through Sinai to the northern Negev. Originally, the type locality was listed only as "Oriente." Females are larger than males. It is found in arid North Africa (Morocco, Mauritania and Mali, eastward through Algeria, Tunisia, Niger, Libya and Chad to Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia) through Sinai to the northern Negev. They have a reasonably placid temperament, but if threatened, they may assume a C-shaped posture and rapidly rub their coils together. When approached, they strike very rapidly, holding on to the captured prey (small birds and rodents) until the venom takes effect. Other common names of this species include desert sidewinding horned viper, Sahara horned viper, desert horned viper, North African horned viper, African desert horned viper, greater cerastes, asp and horned viper. Sahara horned vipers are amongst the most distinct of the North African desert snakes. Horned desert viper Cerastes cerastes Description: Pale buff color with obscure markings and a sharp spine (scale) over each eye. Labib RS, Malim HY, Farag NW. "Proteases of, Schneemann M, Cathomas R, Laidlaw ST, El Nahas AM, Theakston RDG, Warrell DA. Cerastes cerastes, commonly known as the Saharan horned viper[2] or the horned desert viper,[3] is a venomous species of viper native to the deserts of northern Africa and parts of the Middle East. However, these may be reduced in size or absent (see genus Cerastes). Mohamed AH, Kamel A, Ayobe MH. These blotches may or may not be fused into crossbars. A member of this species was reportedly found and killed by locals in urmar graveyard situated on border of Peshawar and Nowshera districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. In the Arabian Peninsula, it occurs in Yemen, Kuwait, extreme southwestern Saudi Arabia and parts of the country in Qatar where it is sympatric with C. gasperettii. [2], They typically move about by sidewinding, during which they press their weight into the sand or soil, leaving whole-body impressions. Common names of this species include desert sidewinding horned viper,[6] Saharan horned viper,[2] horned s,[3] Sahara horned viper,[4] desert horned viper, North African horned viper,[7] African desert horned viper, greater cerastes,[8] asp and horned viper. [2] This species is oviparous, laying 8–23 eggs that hatch after 50 to 80 days of incubation. The belly is white. Because they have strongly keeled scales, this rubbing produces a rasping noise, similar to the sound produced by snakes of the genus Echis. Horned vipers are ecologically important because they keep number of rodents under control. Dorsally, a series of dark, semi-rectangular blotches runs the length of the body. The incident was reported along with a photo of the dead reptile in 'Aaj' Urdu language newspaper published from the provincial capital Peshawar on September 10, 2019. 1981. [7] An estimated lethal dose for humans is 40–50 mg.[4], A number of subspecies have been described:[2], Previously, C. gasperettii was also regarded as a subspecies of C. It also occurs in the southern reaches of the Arabian Peninsula. [10], In captivity, mating was observed in April and always occurred while the animals were buried in the sand. "Effects of, Labib RS, Azab ER, Farag NW. In Egypt, these snakes are called el-ṭorîsha (حية الطريشة); in … 1979. In the wild they are typically ambush predators, lying submerged in sand adjacent to rocks or under vegetation. [4], Cerastes cerastes venom is reported to be similar in action to Echis venom. Often, it is even possible to use these impressions to make ventral scale counts. [9] In Egypt, it is called el-ṭorîsha (حية الطريشة); in Libya, it is called um-Goron (ام قرون). It often is easily recognized by the presence of a pair of supraocular "horns", although hornless individuals do occur. 1969. The tail, which may have a black tip, is usually thin.[2][4]. Compared to most snakes in the region, this species is short in length, averaging between 30 and 60 cm. The eggs are laid under rocks and in abandoned rodent burrows. 2004. The average total length (body and tail) is 30–60 cm (12–24 in), with a maximum total length of 85 cm (33 in). [2], One of the most distinctive characteristics of this species is the presence of supraorbital "horns", one over each eye. It prefers drier areas with finer and looser sands and occasional rock outcrops, especially at higher elevations with less harsh desert temperatures. Venom yields vary, with ranges of 19–27 mg to 100 mg of dried venom being reported. The hatchlings measure 12–15 cm (about 5–6 inches) in total length. However, Flower (1933) proposed "Egypt" by way of clarification. "Fractionation of, Labib RS, Azab MH, Farag NW. "Studies of phospholipase A and B activities of Egyptian snake venoms and a scorpion venom". It is difficult to detect when buried; therefore, many bites result from the snake being accidentally stepped on. [2][5], The colour pattern consists of a yellowish, pale grey, pinkish, reddish or pale brown ground colour, which almost always matches the substrate colour where the animal is found. [4] Studies of venom from both C. cerastes and C. vipera list a total of eight venom fractions, the most powerful of which has haemorrhagic activity. 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 4900 feet. 1981. Occasionally, they are found around oases, and up to an altitude of 1,500 metres (4,900 ft). Compared to C. gasperettii, the relative head size of C. cerastes is larger and there is a greater frequency of horned individuals (13% versus 48%, respectively). Cooler temperatures, with annual averages of 20 °C or less, are preferred. [2] The eyes are prominent and set on the sides of the head. [1], These snakes favor dry, sandy areas with sparse rock outcroppings, and tend not to prefer coarse sand. "Observations on behavior in two Libyan species of viperine snake". [2], https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cerastes_cerastes&oldid=983134500, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. In the Arabian Peninsula, it occurs in Yemen, Kuwait, extreme southwestern Saudi Arabia and parts of the country in Qatar where it is sympatric with C. gasperettii. [2] Three subspecies have been described. These large venomous snakes can deliver a potent and sometimes fatal bite. [2] For venom toxicity, Brown (1973) gives LD50 values of 0.4 mg/kg IV and 3.0 mg/kg SC. "Life-threatening envenoming by the Saharan horned viper (. Schnurrenburger H. 1959. cerastes. This page was last edited on 12 October 2020, at 13:00. Desert horned vipers are common in sandy deserts of Northern Africa and Western Asia.
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