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Definition of desert horn viper

desert horn viper

Plural:desert horn vipers
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• noun

1

A highly venomous snake species (Cerastes cerastes) native to the deserts of Northern Africa and parts of the Middle East, characterized by distinctive horn-like scales over its eyes, pale sandy coloration, and a side-winding method of movement.

Example

"During the expedition in the Sahara, the researchers cautiously observed a desert horn viper perfectly camouflaged beneath the loose sand."

Word Nuance & Usage

Also widely known as the Saharan horned viper, it is notable for its side-winding locomotion and the distinctive rasping warning sound it creates by rubbing its specialized scales together.

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Desert horn viper. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/desert%20horn%20viper
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