Cerastes gasperetti gasperetti

(Leviton & Anderson, 1967)

Vernacular names
English : Arabian horned viper
French : Vipère à cornes d’Arabie

Classification
Class : Reptilia
Order : Squamata
Family : Viperidae
Notes : 1 other subspecies known.

Identification
The species can grow to about 80 cm. Very similar to C. cerastes although its head is flatter and smaller. Coloration grey to sandy-beige with dark brown rectangular blotches on back. Long horns above eyes, sometimes absent.

Range and habitat
This subspecies is known from Southern Israel and Palestine, the Arabian peninsula and east to Iraq and south-western Iran. Species also found in Jordan. Lives in sandy and rocky deserts, dry salt marshes, to 1500 meters.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species has a relatively large range and can be common in suitable habitat. It is intensively trapped for venom collection in Saudi Arabia.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

Back to “Vipers, Pitvipers and relatives” page