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In the rocky scrublands of western Iran and eastern Iraq, a cunning predator relies on masterful mimicry to capture its prey. The spider-tailed horned viper, or, is a venomous snake whose tail has evolved to look like a spider. The snake’s tail shares a close resemblance to an arachnid to attract its prey, which are most often birds.
Initially spotted in the Zagros mountains of western Iran, it was later found in similar habitats across the border in Iraq. The scientists who first spotted the snake mistook it for a Persian horned viper with a deformed or tumorous tail. In fact, you would have found a wrongly labeled specimen of the snake in the late 1960s at the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago.gettyMany snake species around the world are known to have similar highly evolved tails.
The spider-tailed horned viper, however, is thought to have one of the most intricately evolved tail among all snakes. This snake is sometimes referred to as a false-horned viper on account of the scales on its head that form two “horns”. These aid in its already expert camouflage, distorting the outline of its head to confuse prey. Many desert vipers are noted to sport horns on their heads, like the Saharan horned viper and horned adder.
Iran Desert Snakes Snakes In Middle East Iranian Spider-Tailed Horned Viper Spider-Tailed Viper Viper Venom Rattlesnake Is A Viper Snake Envenomation Scott Travers
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