< >
AFGHAN ARABIA WILD
WILDLIFE OF AFGHANISTAN WILDLIFE OF SAUDI ARABIA NORTHWEST WILDLIFE ONLINE
Saudi Arabian Snakes
John M. Regan
Some time ago I wrote an article for Reptiles Magazine
titled, “Lizards of Arabia.” I
was pleased with my clever title and the fact that it was actually
published. No doubt about it – in the world of Saudi reptiles, lizards rule.
With about one hundred different species climbing around over rocks,
sand, walls, and ceilings Saudi Arabia is truly a land of lizards.
A recent email, however, got me thinking about Saudi serpents.
The lacertilians might have the edge in numbers but snakes outshine
everything in the area of pure fascination.
The Reptile Data
Base lists 32 species of serpents that range somewhere in or just
outside of the Saudi peninsula.
I deliberately include the word
outside because a variety of sea snakes are found in the clear warm
waters surrounding Saudi Arabia.
These salt water loving serpents are, like their brethren around the
world venomous. Of the land
dwelling species 11 are venomous.
These include a number of vipers and two species of cobras.
The rest of them are relatively small and harmless like the common
Sand Racer in the photo.
After a bit of research two
species of Saudi Arabian snakes really caught my attention.
First up, and perhaps the most oddly fascinating of any snake are the
Mole Vipers.
Atractaspis engaddensis,
commonly known as the Israeli Mole Viper, inhabits the Arabian Peninsula but
it is just one of several species of this strange snake that live in this
area of the world.
Mole vipers are obviously named for their similarity to the family of mammals we call insectivores. They normally burrow in the sand and attack prey underground. The fangs of mole vipers diverge from the norm as well. While most venomous snakes have a pair of fangs enclosed in sheaths that retract into the animal’s mouth when closed, mole viper fangs are exposed on either side of the snake’s head. This has earned them numerous other nicknames such as Side Stabbers and Stiletto Snakes. The general theory for these laterally exposed fangs is that they are an adaptation for the “close quarter combat” necessary to attack prey in small, underground burrows. The theory makes sense. In a confined space it would be easier for the snake to move its head from side to side instead of wide, open mouthed strike. So far, however, the behavior has not been photographed.
Joining the list of
venomous serpents with odd head ornaments are the Horned Vipers.
The horned vipers are relatively short and thick bodied snakes.
Most are sand colored and possess a pair of “horns” that project
directly up just behind each of the snake’s eyes. The Arabian Horned Viper,
however, sports the most elaborate and showy ornaments.
About one inch long and comprised of a single scale they jut straight
up with dramatic flair.
Although it would seem that these scaly projections somehow serve to protect
the snake’s eyes their exact purpose is unknown. Perhaps they provide a
degree of eye shade from blaring desert sun, thus improving vision while at
the same time creating a small barrier against windblown sand that would
also interfere with their sight. Horned vipers, however, are more than
ambush predators hiding just under the surface sand to wait for prey.
These guys are aggressive predators as well.
Primarily active at night their distinctive sidewinder type movement
patterns are very evident in the morning light.
References and
Photos:
Reptile Data Base
Exotic
Reptiles
http://exoticreptilesz.blogspot.com/2013/01/mole-viper-snake.html
Tetrapod Zoology
http://scienceblogs.com/tetrapodzoology/2008/05/26/sidestabbing-stiletto-snakes/
Arkive
http://www.arkive.org/arabian-horned-viper/cerastes-gasperettii/image-G54527.html
AFGHAN ARABIA WILD
WILDLIFE OF AFGHANISTAN WILDLIFE OF SAUDI ARABIA NORTHWEST WILDLIFE ONLINE