Have you heard of the Saharan horned viper? 🐍 These desert-dwelling venomous snakes are often found buried under sand, with just their eyes and top of their head exposed. 👀 #WorldSnakeDay #Snake #TongueOutTuesday 📹: Ian Recchio, Curator of Amphibians, Reptiles and Fish | Los Angeles Zoo

Saharan Sand Viper burrowing in sand! This snake is in the same genus as the Desert Horned Vipers I post frequently. The genus being Cerastes. They are different species though. This being Cerastes vipera, whereas the Desert Horned Vipers are Cerastes cerastes. #sandviper #viper #awesome | Mark’s Reptiles

Today's creature: The Spider-Tailed Horned Viper. (Pseudocerastes urarachnoides), a mesmerizing snake native to Iran. This extraordinary viper has a unique and astonishing adaptation: a tail that mimics a spider! Master of Deception: The tip of the viper’s tail looks and moves like a spider, which it uses to lure unsuspecting birds close enough to strike. Rarely Seen: Discovered relatively recently in 2006, these vipers are elusive and blend seamlessly into their rocky desert habitats. Venomous

Mind your feet Not all snakes slither forward – the horned viper actually moves sideways. In a technique called ‘sidewinding’ they expertly navigate shifting terrain such as sand, and will ambush prey with their venomous fangs 🐍 #EarthCapture 📸 by Theo Busschau #HornedViper #Reptiles #Snake #Desert | BBC Earth