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Spider-tailed horned viper (Pseudocerastes urarachnoides) tail detail
The spider-tailed horned viper (Pseudocerastes urarachnoides) is a species of viper endemic to western Iran which was described in 2006. The head looks very similar to that of other Pseudocerastes species in the region, but the spider-tailed horned viper has a unique tail that has a bulb-like end that is bordered by long drooping scales that give it the appearance of a spider. The tail tip is waved around and used to lure insectivorous birds to within striking range.
©Matthijs Kuijpers
Photo size: 6.9 Mpixels (19.7 MB uncompressed) - 3214x2145 pixels (10.7x7.2 in / 27.2x18.2 cm at 300 ppi)
Photo keywords: animal, arachnid, camelspider, camouflaged, cryptic, dangerous, fauna, Iran, predator, Pseudocerastes urarachnoides, rare, reptile, snake, special, spideder-tailed, spider, spider-tail, Spider-tailed horned viper, sunspider, tail, unique, venomous, viper, weirdest, wildlife, Zagros mountains