The Arabian horned viper (Cerastes gasperettii) is widespread across the sandy deserts and sparse shrublands of the UAE, from the dunes of Ras al Khaimah southward to the Saudi border. It occupies elevations from sea level up to roughly 400 m, favoring dune fields, gravel plains, dry wadi beds, and the edges of sparse vegetation or rocky outcrops where it can shelter during the heat of the day.
Habitat
This stout-bodied viper averages 30–60 cm in total length (occasionally reaching 85 cm), with females typically larger than males. Its body is cylindrical and heavily keeled, bearing 23–35 rows of rough scales. Coloration ranges from cream to pale brown or pinkish tones, overlaid with darker blotches or bands that match the sandy substrate. The head is broad and distinct from the neck, covered in tubercular scales, and may sport a pair of supraorbital “horns”—spine‑like scales that can fold back when the snake burrows; however, horn presence varies even within a single population.
Physical Characteristics
Hunting Habits
An ambush predator by nature, C. gasperettii often lies buried beneath loose sand or concealed under leaf litter and rocks, exposing only its eyes and snout. When unsuspecting rodents, lizards, or ground‑nesting birds pass within striking range, it lunges rapidly, delivering a venomous bite and holding on until the prey is immobilized. Although primarily a sit‑and‑wait hunter, occasional active foraging at night—traversing dunes and gravel flats in search of food—has also been observed.
Venom Details
While specific toxicity data for C. gasperettii are limited, studies of its close relative (C. cerastes) indicate a potent cytotoxic and hemorrhagic venom composed of phospholipases A₂, metalloproteinases, and other enzymes. Human envenomations typically produce local swelling, pain, and necrosis, though systemic coagulopathy, hemolysis, and acute renal injury can occur in severe cases. Venom yields range from 20 mg to over 100 mg per milking, with estimated rodent LD₅₀ values of 0.4 mg/kg IV and 3.0 mg/kg SC, and a human lethal dose around 40–50 mg.
