Spider-tailed horned viper
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| Spider-tailed horned viper | |
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| Close-up of P. urarachnoides showing spider-like tail tip | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Viperidae |
| Subfamily: | Viperinae |
| Genus: | Pseudocerastes |
| Species: | P. urarachnoides |
| Binomial name | |
| Pseudocerastes urarachnoides Bostanchi, Anderson, Kami & Papenfuss, 2006 |
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The spider-tailed horned viper (Pseudocerastes urarachnoides) is a species of viper endemic to western Iran first described by Bostanchi et al. in 2006.[2]
Etymology[edit]
The specific name, urarachnoides, is derived from Ancient Greek (οὐρά tail + ἀράχνη spider + οειδής like), and refers to this snake's spider-like tail tip, as does the common name, spider-tailed horned viper. It uses the spider-like tail to attract prey (usually birds) to come closer. When close enough, the viper strikes out, usually killing the victim.
References[edit]
- ^ Anderson, Steven C., Theodore Papenfuss (2009). "Pseudocerastes urarachnoides". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 3 June 2013.
- ^ Bostanchi, H., S. C. Anderson, Haji Gholi Kami, and Th. J. Papenfuss. 2006. A new species of Pseudocerastes with elaborate tail ornamentation from western Iran (Squamata: Viperidae). Proc. California Acad. Sci., Series 4 57 (14): 443–450.
External links[edit]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Spider-tailed horned viper. |
An excellent short video showing the viper attracting and killing a bird [1]
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