horned viper

American  

noun

1. a highly venomous viper, Cerastes cerastes, of northern Africa and extreme southwestern Asia, having a process resembling a horn just above each eye.

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horned viper British  

noun

1. Also called: sand viper.  a venomous snake, Cerastes cornutus, that occurs in desert regions of N Africa and SW Asia and has a small horny spine above each eye: family Viperidae (vipers)

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Etymology

Origin of horned viper

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

The zoo is home to species including an African grey parrot, a vervet monkey, giant lizards known as Nile monitors, a desert tortoise, a horned viper snake and a Nubian spitting cobra.

From Seattle Times

The Saharan horned viper and the sidewinding adder of the Namib desert — which are closely related — have belly scales with uniform pits and no spikes.

From New York Times

Indeed, the best footage here is captured at night, from the slinkings of the bizarre horned viper to the evasive tactics of the lesser jerboa, a tiny rodent with kangaroo-like hind legs.

From The Guardian

Matilda’s horned viper was discovered in the African nation of Tanzania about two years ago and was introduced last month as the world’s newest known snake species.

From Washington Post

The Wildlife Conservation Society reports the discovery of a striking snake, the Matilda’s horned viper, in eastern Tanzania.

From New York Times