Desert Horned Viper

The Desert Horned Viper (Cerastes cerastes) or Saharan horned viper is a venomous species of viper native to the deserts of northern Africa and parts of the Arabian Peninsula and the Levant. The snake is common in Iraq but is also found in Syria, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Jordan, Israel, and Kuwait. They can also be found in parts of North Africa including Libya, Egypt, and Sudan.

The highest overall length is 85 cm, with the average total length (body and tail) being 30-60 cm. males are generally smaller than females. The existence of supraorbital "horns", one above each eye, is one of this species' most recognizable features. However, these might be smaller or not present (see genus Cerastes). The eyes are large and positioned on the sides of the head. Males have larger heads and eyes than females, and there is a strong sexual dimorphism. They are typically ambushed predators in the wild, lying buried in the sand next to rocks or beneath vegetation. They attack quickly when approached, clinging onto their prey (small birds and rodents) until the poison takes effect.