Cerastes vipera
| Cerastes vipera | |
|---|---|
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Viperidae |
| Subfamily: | Viperinae |
| Genus: | Cerastes |
| Species: | C. vipera |
| Binomial name | |
| Cerastes vipera (Linnaeus, 1758) |
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| Synonyms | |
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Cerastes vipera is a venomous viper species found in the deserts of North Africa and the Sinai Peninsula. No subspecies are currently recognized.[3]
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[edit] Description
Averages 20-35 cm (8-14 in) in length, with a maximum of 50 cm (1.6 ft). Females are larger than males.[2] Small and stout, it has a broad, triangular head with small eyes set well forward and situated on the junction of the side and the top of the head. A true desert species. Its said that Cleopatra committed suicide using an Egyptian Asp[2][4]
[edit] Common names
Sahara sand viper, Avicenna viper,[2] common sand viper,[5] Egyptian asp, Cleopatra's asp, sand viper,[6] Avicenna's sand viper, lesser cerastes.[7]
[edit] Geographic range
Found in arid North Africa: Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, Mali, Tunisia, Libya, Niger, Chad and Egypt. Sinai Peninsula: Egypt and Israel. The type locality given is "AEgypto" (Egypt).[1]
[edit] See also
- List of viperine species and subspecies
- Viperinae by common name
- Viperinae by taxonomic synonyms
- Snakebite
[edit] References
- ^ a b McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
- ^ a b c d Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G. 2003. True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida. 359 pp. ISBN 0-89464-877-2.
- ^ "Cerastes vipera". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=634965. Retrieved 30 July 2006.
- ^ Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. ISBN 0-88359-029-8.
- ^ Gotch AF. 1986. Reptiles -- Their Latin Names Explained. Poole, UK: Blandford Press. 176 pp. ISBN 0-7137-1704-1.
- ^ Brown JH. 1973. Toxicology and Pharmacology of Venoms from Poisonous Snakes. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas. 184 pp. LCCCN 73-229. ISBN 0-398-02808-7.
- ^ U.S. Navy. 1991. Poisonous Snakes of the World. US Govt. New York: Dover Publications Inc. 203 pp. ISBN 0-486-26629-X.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Cerastes vipera |
- Cerastes vipera at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 2 August 2007.
