CERASTES VIPERA

:'''Common names': Sahara sand viper, Avicenna viper,^[1] more.''
'''Cerastes vipera''' is a venomous viper species found in the deserts of North Africa and the Sinai Peninsula. No subspecies are currently recognized.^[2]

Contents

Description

Common names

Geographic range

See also

Cited references

External links

Description

Averages 20-35 cm in length, with a maximum of 50 cm. Females are larger than males. Small and stout, it has a broad, triangular head with small eyes set well forward and situated on the junction of the side and the top of the head. A true desert species.^[3]

Common names

Sahara sand viper, Avicenna viper, common sand viper,^[4] Egyptian asp, Cleopatra's asp, sand viper,^[5] Avicenna's sand viper, lesser cerastes.^[6]

Geographic range

Found in arid North Africa: Mauritania, Western Sahara, Morocco, Algeria, Mali, Tunisia, Libya, Niger, Chad and Egypt. Sinai Peninsula: Egypt and Israel. The type locality given is "AEgypto" (Egypt).

See also

★ List of viperine species and subspecies.

★ .

★ .

★ Snakebite.

Cited references

1. Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G. 2003. True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida. 359 pp. ISBN 0-89464-877-2.
2.
3. Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
4. Gotch AF. 1986. Reptiles -- Their Latin Names Explained. Poole, UK: Blandford Press. 176 pp. ISBN 0-7137-1704-1.
5. Brown JH. 1973. Toxicology and Pharmacology of Venoms from Poisonous Snakes. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas. 184 pp. LCCCN 73-229. ISBN 0-398-02808-7.
6. U.S. Navy. 1991. Poisonous Snakes of the World. US Govt. New York: Dover Publications Inc. 203 pp. ISBN 0-486-26629-X.

External links

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