Cerastes cerastes

The average total length (body and tail) is {{convert|30|-|60|cm|in|abbr=on}}, with a maximum total length of {{convert|85|cm|in|abbr=on}}. Females are larger than males.

One of the most distinctive characteristics of this species is the presence of supraorbital "horns", one over each eye. However, these may be reduced in size or absent (see genus Cerastes). The eyes are prominent and set on the sides of the head. There is significant sexual dimorphism, with males having larger heads and larger eyes than females. 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).Werner YL, Verdier A, Rosenman D, Sivan N. 1991. Systematics and Zoogeography of Cerastes (Ophidia: Viperidae) in the Levant: 1. Distinguishing Arabian from African "Cerastes cerastes". The Snake 23: 90–100.

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. Dorsally, a series of dark, semi-rectangular blotches runs the length of the body. These blotches may or may not be fused into crossbars. The belly is white. The tail, which may have a black tip, is usually thin.Spawls S, Branch B. (1995). The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Dubai: Ralph Curtis Books. Oriental Press. {{ISBN|0-88359-029-8}}.

Common names of this species include desert sidewinding horned viper,Stevens, Austin (2005). SNAKEMASTER In Search of the Snake that Killed Cleopatra. [DVD] Michael Davies, USA: Discovery Communications, Inc. Saharan horned viper, horned s, Sahara horned viper, desert horned viper, North African horned viper,Brown JH. (1973). Toxicology and Pharmacology of Venoms from Poisonous Snakes. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas. LCCCN 73–229. {{ISBN|0-398-02808-7}}. African desert horned viper, greater cerastes,U.S. Navy. (1991). Poisonous Snakes of the World. New York: Dover Publications Inc. (United States Government Reprint). {{ISBN|0-486-26629-X}}. asp and horned viper.Ditmars RL. (1933). Reptiles of the World. Revised Edition. New York: The MacMillan Company. In Egypt, it is called el-ṭorîsha ({{lang|ar|حية الطريشة}}); in Libya, it is called um-Goron ({{lang|ar|ام قرون}}).

The snake is common in Iraq but is also found in Syria, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Yemen, Jordan, Israel, Qatar, Mauritania, Morocco and Kuwait. They can also be found in parts of North Africa including Libya, Egypt, and Sudan.

Originally, the type locality was listed only as "Oriente." However, Flower (1933) proposed "Egypt" by way of clarification.

These snakes favor dry, sandy areas with sparse rock outcroppings, and tend to avoid coarse sand. Occasionally they are found around oases, and up to an altitude of {{convert|1500|m|ft}}. Cooler temperatures, with annual averages of {{Convert|20|C|F|abbr=|sp=us}} or less, are preferred.

They typically move by sidewinding, during which they press their weight into the sand or soil, leaving whole-body impressions. Often, it is even possible to use these impressions to make ventral scale counts. They have a reasonably placid temperament, but if threatened, they may assume a C-shaped posture and rapidly rub their coils together. Because they have strongly keeled scales, this rubbing produces a rasping noise, similar to the sound produced by snakes of the genus Echis. In the wild, they are typically ambush predators, lying submerged in sand adjacent to rocks or under vegetation. The diet of this carnivorous species consists primarily of small rodents, geckos, birds, and a variety of lizards.{{cite web | url=https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Cerastes_cerastes/ | title=Cerastes cerastes (Desert Horned Viper) | website=Animal Diversity Web }} These vipers are also known to eat jerboas, yellow wagtails, and chiffchaffs. C. cerastes has been known to travel long distances at night in search of prey. When approached, they strike very rapidly, holding on to the captured prey until the venom takes effect.[http://www.fjexpeditions.com/expeditions/past/oct04/oct04_2.htm Photo sequence of Cerastes cerastes feeding in the wild (Gilf Kebir, Egypt, 27 October 2004)] at [http://www.fjexpeditions.com/ FJ Expeditions] accessed 19 October 2013

In captivity, mating was observed in April and always occurred while the animals were buried in the sand. This species is oviparous, laying 8–23 eggs that hatch after 50 to 80 days of incubation. The eggs are laid under rocks and in abandoned rodent burrows. The hatchlings measure 12–15 cm (about 5–6 inches) in total length.

File:Cerastes-cerastes head.jpgCerastes cerastes venom is reported to be similar in action to Echis venom. Envenomation usually causes swelling, haemorrhage, necrosis, nausea, vomiting, and haematuria. A high phospholipase A2 content may cause cardiotoxicity and myotoxicity. 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. Venom yields vary, with ranges of 19–27 mg to 100 mg of dried venom being reported. For venom toxicity, Brown (1973) gives {{LD50}} values of 0.4 mg/kg IV and 3.0 mg/kg SC. An estimated lethal dose for humans is 40–50 mg.

A number of subspecies have been described:

• Cerastes cerastes hoofieni Werner & Sivan, 1999 – Saudi Arabia.
• Cerastes cerastes karlhartli Sochurek, 1974 – Egyptian horned viper – southeast Egypt and Sinai Peninsula.
• Cerastes cerastes mutila Domergue, 1901 – Algerian horned viper – southwest Algeria, Morocco.

Previously, C. gasperettii was also regarded as a subspecies of C. cerastes.

{{Reflist|2}}

{{Refbegin}}

• Boulenger GA. 1896. Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume III., Containing the...Viperidæ. London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xiv + 727 pp. + Plates I.- XXV. (Cerastes cornutus, pp. 502–503).
• Calmette A. 1907. Les venins, les animaux venimeux et la serotherapie antivenimeuse. In: Bucherl W. editor. 1967. Venomous Animals and Their Venoms. Vol. I. Paris: Masson. 233 pp.
• {{cite journal|author=Mohamed AH|author2= Kamel A|author3= Ayobe MH|year=1969|title=Studies of phospholipase A and B activities of Egyptian snake venoms and a scorpion venom|journal=Toxicon|volume=6|pages=293–988}}
• {{cite book|author=Joger U. |year=1984|title=The Venomous Snakes of the Near and Middle East |location=Wiesbaden|editor=Dr. Ludwig Reichert |publisher=Verlag}}
• {{cite journal|author=Labib RS|author2= Malim HY|author3= Farag NW|year=1979|title=Fractionation of Cerastes cerastes and Cerastes vipera snake venoms by gel filtration and identification of some enzymatic and biological activities|journal=Toxicon|volume=17|pages=337–345}}
• {{cite journal|author=Labib RS|author2= Azab MH|author3= Farag NW|year=1981|title=Effects of Cerastes cerastes (Egyptian sand viper) snake venoms on blood coagulation: separation of coagulant and anticoagulant factors and their correlation with arginineesterase protease activities|journal=Toxicon|volume=19|pages=85–94}}
• {{cite journal|author=Labib RS|author2= Azab ER|author3= Farag NW|year=1981|title=Proteases of Cerastes cerastes and Cerastes vipera snake venoms|journal=Toxicon|volume=19|pages=73–83}}
• Linnaeus C. 1758. Systema naturæ per regna tria naturæ, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Tomus I. Editio Decima, Reformata. Stockholm: L. Salvius. 824 pp. (Coluber cerastes, p. 217).
• {{cite journal|author=Schneemann M|author2= Cathomas R|author3= Laidlaw ST|author4= El Nahas AM|author5= Theakston RDG|author6= Warrell DA|year=2004|title=Life-threatening envenoming by the Saharan horned viper (Cerastes cerastes) causing micro-angiopathic haemolysis, coagulopathy and acute renal failure: clinical cases and review|journal=Association of Physicians. QJM|volume=97|issue=11|pages=717–727|archive-date=15 April 2013|url=http://qjmed.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/97/11/717|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130415134359/http://qjmed.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/97/11/717|access-date= 9 March 2007}}
• {{cite journal|author=Schnurrenburger H. |year=1959|title=Observations on behavior in two Libyan species of viperine snake|journal=Herpetologica|volume=15|issue=70-2}}

{{Refend}}

{{Commons}}

{{Wikispecies}}

• {{NRDB species|genus=Cerastes|species=cerastes|date=2 August|year=2007}}
• [http://www.fjexpeditions.com/expeditions/past/oct04/oct04_2.htm Exceptional photo sequence of Cerastes cerastes feeding in the wild] at [http://www.fjexpeditions.com/ FJ Expeditions] taken on 27 October 2004. Accessed 19 October 2013.
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060613042050/http://plumed-serpent.com/dscour.html Sand viper page] at [https://web.archive.org/web/20160110041420/http://plumed-serpent.com/ Plumed-serpent.com]. Accessed 30 July 2006.
• {{YouTube|MjOMbVIUJSQ|Video of Cerastes cerastes}}. Accessed 31 May 2007.

{{cite journal|author=Aziz Subach|author2= Arik Dorfman|author3= Bar Avidov|author4= Adi Domer|author5= Yehonatan Samocha|author6=Inon Scharf|year=2022|title=Foraging behaviour, habitat use and population size of the desert horned viper in the Negev desert|journal=Royal Society Open Science|doi=10.1098/rsos.220326|pmc=9240687}}

{{cite journal|author=Dorfman, A.|author2= Subach, A.|author3= Scharf, I. |year=2023|title=Snakes on a slope: strong anti-gravitactic responses and differential habitat use in the Saharan horned viper (Cerastes cerastes) in the Negev desert|journal=Royal Society Open Science|volume=10|issue=3|doi=10.1098/rsos.221652|pmc=10031405}}

{{cite book|author=Aziz Subach |author2=Bar Avidov|author3=Arik Dorfman|author4=Inon Scharf|title=Movement ecology and foraging behavior of the Saharan horned viper in the Negev Desert – an outline for research |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348406248_Movement_ecology_and_foraging_behavior_of_the_Saharan_horned_viper_in_the_Negev_Desert_-an_outline_for_research|via=ResearchGate}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q1476343}}

Category:Viperinae

Category:Reptiles of North Africa

Category:Snakes of Jordan

Category:Reptiles of the Arabian Peninsula

Category:Fauna of the Sahara

Category:Reptiles described in 1758

Category:Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus

Category:Snakes of Arabia