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Cerastes Cerastes

Short answer: The Saharan horned viper (Cerastes cerastes) is a venomous snake of the deserts of North Africa and parts of the Middle East. Many individuals have a horn-like scale above each eye, though some lack them.

Its sandy coloring camouflages it, it often buries itself in sand to ambush prey, and it moves by sidewinding, leaving distinctive tracks. The footage shows a horned viper in sand.

VideoWrite-up1 sources
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What should you know about Cerastes Cerastes?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. North Africa and the Middle East.

    DD-435-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Range)

  2. Scales above the eyes.

    DD-435-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (Horns)

Video transcript: Cerastes Cerastes: The Saharan Horned Viper Has a Spike Over Each Eye

Did you know horned vipers, such as the Saharan horned viper, or Cerastes cerastes, are venomous snakes found in arid regions like deserts and semi-deserts of North Africa and the Middle East. They are easily recognized by the distinctive horn-like scales above their eyes, though some individuals lack these horns. These snakes are masters of camouflage, blending seamlessly into sandy environments with their pale, sandy-colored scales. Horned vipers use a sidewinding motion to move efficiently across loose desert sand, leaving distinctive tracks. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 27.4s Reel ·

Video coming soonCerastes Cerastes · Instagram Reel
Cerastes Cerastes: The Saharan Horned Viper Has a Spike Over Each Eye Instagram Reel · · 27.4s

The write-up

The Saharan horned viper has a spike over each eye. It sidewinds across loose sand.

  1. Exhibit A

    Range

    North Africa and the Middle East.

  2. Exhibit B

    Horns

    Scales above the eyes.

  3. Exhibit C

    Hornless

    Some lack horns.

  4. Exhibit D

    Camouflage

    Sandy coloring.

  5. Exhibit E

    Sidewinding

    Moves sideways on sand.

Questions people ask about Cerastes Cerastes

Where does it live?

Arid.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Range) · Wikipedia: Cerastes cerastes

What are its horns?

Modified scales.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Horns) · Wikipedia: Cerastes cerastes

Do all have horns?

Some hornless.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Hornless) · Wikipedia: Cerastes cerastes

How does it move on sand?

Sideways.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Camouflage) · Wikipedia: Cerastes cerastes

How does it hunt?

Buried.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Sidewinding) · Wikipedia: Cerastes cerastes

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. Where does it live?

    1. Sahara deserts
    2. Rainforests
    3. Arctic
    4. Wetlands
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Sahara deserts Arid. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Range) · Wikipedia: Cerastes cerastes

  2. What are its horns?

    1. Scales above the eyes
    2. Bones
    3. Teeth
    4. Ears
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Scales above the eyes Modified scales. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Horns) · Wikipedia: Cerastes cerastes

  3. Do all have horns?

    1. No
    2. Yes
    3. Only females
    4. Only juveniles
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. No Some hornless. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Hornless) · Wikipedia: Cerastes cerastes

  4. How does it move on sand?

    1. Sidewinding
    2. Jumping
    3. Flying
    4. Swimming
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Sidewinding Sideways. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Camouflage) · Wikipedia: Cerastes cerastes

  5. How does it hunt?

    1. Ambush from sand
    2. Chasing
    3. Webs
    4. Filtering
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Ambush from sand Buried. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Sidewinding) · Wikipedia: Cerastes cerastes

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Cerastes Cerastes." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-435, last updated Dec 20, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/cerastes-cerastes/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/cerastes-cerastes/ · Last updated

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