The
Arabian Horned Viper Cerastes gasperettii is found in desert and semi-desert
habitats, and is well adapted to life on arid sandy and stony ground, and
occurs up to elevations of 1,500 metres. It has sandy-coloured upperparts,
marked with faint, light brown crossbars along the back, and white or yellowish
underparts. The head is broad and roughly triangular, while the body is covered
with keeled scales and it has a short tail. The purpose of the
horns, which can be depressed, is not known and not all individuals have the
horned scales. Like
other vipers, this species has hinged, hollow fangs, which lie flat when the
mouth is closed and swing forward when opened, and are capable of injecting
large quantities of venom. They are 60 – 80 centimeters in length and are active
from dusk until dawn, and well-camouflaged amongst the sand and rocks, the most
obvious sign of their presence is usually the sinuous tracks it leaves while
employing its sidewinding method of movement. They use both active pursuit as
well as ambush to capture prey and often bury their body and head beneath the
sand using rapid side-to-side wriggling, until only the eyes and snout are
exposed. The snake then lays in wait for prey such as lizards, small birds and
rodents to approach, before striking with lightning speed and injecting the
animal with its powerful venom killing it quickly. When threatened, this
species coils its body and rubs its keeled scales together to create a rasping
sound, and it will also hiss and inflate its body before resorting to striking.
They are found in the Middle East and throughout the Arabian Peninsula. There
are two subspecies with Cerastes gasperettii gasperettii, the one
found in Saudi Arabia as well as the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Oman, Israel,
Jordan, Kuwait, Iraq & south-west Iran.
This individual was at Jebel 234 near Abqaiq. Cliff
left camp before sunrise with his long lens hoping to catch a dramatic
sunrise. He climbed up the Jebel to gain some elevation then lay prone on the
ground to steady the lens. As he was shooting, he felt something against his
left arm and pushed it away without looking as he was focused on the shot.
Again, he felt something against his left arm, and pushed the assumed insect
away with more vigor. This happened again a third time upon which his attention
was quickly refocused by what sounded like a rattlesnake. Cliff assumed it
select him for a warming cuddle on this particular cool winter day.