What is a Spider Tailed Horned Viper? (Pseudocerastes urarachnoides)

Have you ever heard of the spider-tailed horned viper? This venomous snake belongs to the Viperidae family, and its higher classification is the Pseudocerastes genus.

It is also known as a “false-horned viper”. Scientists first discovered and described this distinct species in 2006, and it is endemic to western Iran and the surrounding areas of Iraq.

Its scientific name is Pseudocerastes urarachnoides, and it is classified as a species within the suborder Serpentes of the animal kingdom.

The Spider-Tailed Horned Viper: An Overview of Its Unique Adaptations and Habitat

Introduction

Today we’re going to take a look at the spider-tailed horned viper, a snake that you may recognize from the David Attenborough documentary Seven Worlds One Planet. If you already know about this snake, then you know what makes it so special and interesting, but if not, don’t worry, I’ll explain it to you later.

Discovery and Classification of Spider-Tailed Horned Viper

This species of viper is actually a very new discovery, having only been described in 2006. The first specimen of this snake was collected in 1968, but it was mistaken for a similar-looking snake species, the Persian horned viper.

They didn’t realize that this snake had a spider-like tail that made it so distinct. It’s a member of the Viperidae family, making it a true viper and very venomous. So, if you ever see one in the wild, don’t approach it!

Distinctive Characteristics of Pseudocerastes urarachnoides, a New Species of Horned Viper.

Pseudocerastes urarachnoides, a viper belonging to the Pseudocerastes genus, shares a distinctive feature with other members of its group: the scales above its eyes form horn-like projections.

In 1968, a specimen collected during the Second Street Expedition to Iran was labeled as Pseudocerastes persicus and added to the collection at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago.

However, in 2006, it was identified as a separate species with unique characteristics. Notably, P. urarachnoides has rougher scales above its body compared to other species in the genus, and there are about 16 to 17 scales between its horns.

The tail of this species has elongated scales on the sides that resemble arthropod appendages, and there are 15 pairs of subcaudal scales. Finally, the tip of its tail is inflated and takes on a bulb-like shape.

Unique Appearance of Spider-Tailed Horned Viper

Another thing that makes the spider-tailed horned viper unique is its appearance. Its spider-like tail is truly a marvel of evolution, and it’s easy to see why this snake has captured the attention of so many people.

In addition to its tail, the snake also has distinctive horns above its eyes, which give it a very distinctive look. These horns are used for defensive purposes, and they help the snake to intimidate potential predators.

Habitat and Hunting Method of Spider-Tailed Horned Viper

This snake’s habitat is very remote and hard to reach, which is why it was only properly described in 2006. It’s found in just one small corner of Iraq, which is covered in tall, arid mountainous desert.

This is perfect for this snake because it’s cold-blooded and needs a lot of sunlight to survive. But it also makes it hard to find for most people. The mountains provide the snake with the perfect habitat to use its ingenious hunting method.

One interesting aspect of this snake’s hunting method is that it’s not just limited to birds. In fact, it’s been observed using its tail to attract insects as well.

This is particularly impressive considering that insects don’t have the same level of visual acuity as birds, so the snake’s tail frills must be quite convincing. It’s also possible that the snake uses its tail to attract other potential prey, such as lizards or small mammals.

Spider-like Tail Adaptation 

You might be wondering how a snake as small as this one can catch and eat its prey. But this is where its spider-like tail comes in!

The tail has leg-like frills that actually elongate scales, making it resemble a spider. The snake can move its tail from side to side to make it seem alive, which attracts any hungry birds looking to eat a spider. The bird will swoop down to attack the tail, and then the very venomous viper will strike and bite the bird.

Breeding and Reproduction of Spider-Tailed Horned Viper

Breeding techniques for snakes vary from species to species, and we’re not sure how these vipers breed because of their remoteness and lack of study. It’s likely they breed like many other snakes do.

Male snakes have two appendages called hemipenes that extend out of the male to fertilize the female. The female snake can choose whether or not to become pregnant after this happens, and some are able to store the male sperm for whenever they’re in the best environment to reproduce.

Spider-tailed horned vipers give birth to live young, which is rather unique in the snake world. They don’t lay eggs, but instead are ovoviviparous, meaning they produce eggs but don’t lay them.

This offers many benefits, such as better protection for the eggs from predators and better, more consistent incubation. We can’t be 100% sure these vipers are ovoviviparous, but most vipers are, so we can assume they are too.

Venom and Characteristics of Spider-Tailed Horned Viper

Apart from their tails, spider-tailed horned vipers are really just like most other vipers. They’re incredibly venomous for defensive purposes, and some, like the gaboon viper, have quite short but stocky bodies.

This is most likely because they are ambush predators and don’t need a lot of maneuverability, but they do need a lot of striking power.

Conservation Status

Since they’ve only been discovered relatively recently, we have insufficient data on their populations, and we don’t know how well or badly they’re doing. It’s unlikely humans are having much of an effect on them, given their harsh living conditions, but there’s always the danger that anthropogenic climate. 

Amazing Facts About the Spider-Tailed Horned Viper

• The spider-tailed horned viper is a species of viper discovered in 2006 in a remote corner of Iraq.
• It is named after its unique spider-like tail that it uses to attract prey.
• The tail has leg-like frills made up of elongated scales, which the snake can move from side to side, making it look like a spider.
• When a bird comes to attack the “spider,” the viper strikes and bites it with its highly venomous fangs.
• This hunting technique is incredibly effective, and it has been observed that the viper catches its prey more often than not.
• The spider-tailed horned viper is a member of the Viperidae family, making it venomous and dangerous to humans.
• Its habitat is in the arid mountains of Iraq, making it challenging to study and conserve.
• It is ovoviviparous, meaning it gives birth to live young instead of laying eggs.
• Its populations and conservation status are unknown due to the difficulty of studying them in their remote habitat.
• This snake’s discovery and unique hunting method have made it famous, featuring in documentaries like David Attenborough’s Seven Worlds One Planet.
• The spider-tailed horned viper uses its tail as a lure to attract prey in a phenomenon called feeding mimicry.
• The tail looks like a spider, and birds are often so focused on it that they don’t see the snake until it’s too late.
• The viper can strike its prey in just 0.2 seconds.
• Local birds have learned to recognize the viper’s tactics, and it seems that only visiting birds fall prey to its charms.
• This species of viper is incredibly venomous, making it a dangerous predator in its arid mountainous desert habitat in Iraq.
• Spider-tailed horned vipers give birth to live young, which is unique for snakes.
• They are a relatively new discovery, having only been properly described in 2006.
• Due to their remote habitat and limited study, we still have much to learn about these fascinating and unique snakes.

Final Words

In conclusion, the spider-tailed horned viper is a truly captivating and one-of-a-kind viper species, utilizing its spider-like tail to attract prey in the mountainous deserts of Iran & Iraq. Despite being a recent discovery, there is still much to uncover about their behavior, breeding habits, and population status. Due to their remote habitat and elusive nature, these vipers remain a challenge to study and preserve.