Cerastes gasperettii

Arab horned viper ( cerastes gasperettii )

The Arabian horned viper ( cerastes gasperettii ) is a type of Real vipers ( Viperinae ) and belongs to the genus of the African Horn vipers.

Features

The Elementary mostly light sand-colored, yellowish, brownish, greyish, pink or pale golden brown colored body has a slightly stocky and has a weak light brown pattern of cross bars on. The belly is whitish, the tail may be black. The body length is between 60 and 80cm. The back is covered with 25-35 rows of scales, which are adjoined the body base with 146-172 ventral scales, according to the annals, 30-41 split Subcaudale.

The head is made - typical of true vipers - clearly from the body. About the eyes of the Arab Hornviper often carries a horn each consisting of a single, pointed scale. However, this may be absent or missing in Cerastes gasperettii mendelssohni completely. The Arabian horned viper has 12-13 upper lip shields.

Way of life

The species is nocturnal in the first place and moves away as Sidewinder. For the prey spectrum of the type mainly includes ground -dwelling lizards, and occasionally small mammals or birds. Buried with the body and only the eyes lying on the surface they lie in wait for passing prey. By means of keeled lateral scales can be generated at threat a rattling sound. Furthermore, she rolls at threat in loops together and hisses, sometimes she bites too fast. Cerastes gasperettii propagates through oviparity, so it is oviparous. The clutch consists of 8-20 eggs.

Toxicology

As Viper Cerastes gasperettii produces a snake venom (toxin ), which is injected through the tube retractable fangs in the front upper jaw into the bite wound. The toxin contains components which prokoagulative ( promoting hemostasis ( blood clotting) ) show and hemorrhagic effects. Bite injuries and deaths occur in this type not unknown but are rare. Some sources speak of any secured documented deaths.

With in an intoxication ( poisoning) by Cerastes gasperettii occurring typical inflammatory reactions can be active as inflammatory mediators substances serotonin, histamine, adenosine transport factors, phosphodiesterase ( PDE), cyclooxygenases ( COX), lipoxygenases and phospholipase A2 ( PLA2) in conjunction bring. For the coagulative effect is a protein found in snake venom with thrombinartigem effect can blame. After a poison bite enter local symptoms such as pain, edema ( fluid retention ), redness, bruising, as well as to localized lymph node swelling ( bleeding into body tissue haemorrhagic effect). An antivenin is currently unknown.

System

The Reptile Database distinguishes between the following two sub- types:

• Cerastes gasperettii mendelssohni ( Werner & Sivan in Werner et al., 1999)
• Cerastes gasperettii gasperettii ( Leviton & Anderson, 1967)

Previously, the species was considered a subspecies of desert horned viper ( cerastes cerastes ).

Occurrence

The distribution area extends across the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Oman, Israel, Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, and probably the south-west of Iran. Cerastes gasperettii mendelssohni occurs in Israel and Jordan. The habitat is represented by deserts and semi-deserts with a sandy bottom. Frequently the bushland is settled around oases.