Horned Desert Viper

Iconic horned desert viper seen across documentaries and references.

GenusCerastes

RegionAfricaNorth Africa

Photo: Holger Krisp · Source: Wikimedia Commons · License: CC BY 3.0

Horned Desert Viper

Photo: Holger Krisp · Source: Wikimedia Commons · License: CC BY 3.0

Horned Desert Viper

Danger Score

Final Danger Score

Venom Core

Lethality weighted 55% (potency × yield). Clinical weighted 45% (real-world CFR).

0.55 × 41 + 0.45 × 4743.7

Modifiers

Multiplicative scalers - amplify or reduce existing danger, can't create it from nothing.

× Speed (1.01)44.1

× Delivery (1.00)44.1

× Encounter (0.86)38.0

Speed = antivenom window. Delivery = fang efficiency. Encounter = exposure × temperament.

Score38

Type

NeurotoxicAffects the nervous system; disrupts nerve-muscle communication and can cause paralysis or respiratory failure.

Venom Yield

Low

Venom Speed

Quick

Delivery Method

Hinged front fangs

Potency (SC Equivalent)

1.200mg/kg LD50

Max Dry Yield

23mg dry

Fatality (Untreated)

5-15%

WHO Importance

Cat. 2

Local Effects

Pain at bite site

Neurological

Paralysis

Gastrointestinal

Nausea or vomiting

Causes of Death

Respiratory failure