Coolest snake ever?!?!

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Ok, that's gotta be the coolest snake ever!

Let's first start with a photo!

SpiderTailViper.jpg
source

Nothing special, just a snake and a...spider or a centipede or something right? Well, if you take a closer look you will notice it's actually the end of its tail!

Pseudocerastes_urarachnoides.jpeg
source

Not surprisingly, this is a viper commonly known as the spider-tailed horned viper and occurs in western Iran and over the border region with Iraq.

The first time the species was described in 1968 it was thought the weird tail was the result of a parasite or cancer or whatever:

It was originally described by scientists as Pseudocerastes persicus, attributing the tail to either parasite, deformity, or tumors.

However it was later found to be a distinct species thanks to a specimen collected almost 4 decades later!

Another specimen was found in 2003. P. urarachnoides was officially 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. source

As expected, the tail is a form of mimicry, with the snake moving it in a figure-of-eight pattern while camouflaged, to attract birds. Although other snakes are known to employ similar tactics this is the only snake known with such a sophisticated and realistic lure!

The tip of the tail is used as a lure in several other species of snake, including Bitis caudalis, Crotalus cerastes, Sistrurus catenatus, Agkistrodon contortrix, Acanthophis antarcticus, Acanthophis praelongus, and Morelia viridis, but none of these examples has the unique elongated scales that give it the appearance of arthropod appendages. source

Here are a couple videos I managed to find showing the snake in action.... It's just so god damn impressive!

https://youtube.com/shorts/JB5Zahd1PNg?si=i9f0q0N3HrBeno7Q

If I was a hungry bird I would definitely fall for it 😅😆

Ok, hope you enjoyed reading about this amazing creature! Feel free to visit Wikipedia if you want to learn more about it!



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28 comments
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Thats pretty cool for sure! I remember seeing in nature some other examples of using part of the body is bait lol, mostly fishes that have stuff that looks like worms.

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Bang, I did it again... I just rehived your post!
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You had me this time.. I literally thought it's spider with snake.

the snake moving it in a figure-of-eight pattern while camouflaged, to attract birds.

Coolest and smartest snake ever in his league..

Unbelievably Awesome, wild life in nature is fascinating.. have seen tons of snakes in action before but this bird hunt was on next level.

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snakes are cool, !SLOTH

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Wow. I don't know how you find this stuff, but this one might be the most amazing one you have featured yet.

You have to wonder how such a specific adaptation evolved.

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Exactly! Millions and millions of years 😂

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This is an amazing shot
I watched how the snake entered the hole and the viper was still stuck to its tail
It was not even scared of it
Such a brave viper...hahaha

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Bro I came here to see your penis, why is this snake post about an actual snake?

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Good to know about that. I know that reptiles have their body texture according to their environment. Its tail was really strange. I am surprised to see how peoples saved their lives as they are looking so terrible and I have a great fear of them.

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The world is cruel, there are very dangerous hunters. This snake just needs to wait to get prey. It is somewhat similar to a smart investor or trader.

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that snake and bird is the perfect analogy for the crypto market and the noobs that loose their money hoping for big returns :P

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I feel so much fear and at the same time admiration with such a majestic animal💚.
Thanks for your contribution!!

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This snake is pretty cool, but have you seen mine? Because I haven't seen it either, my local lost & found are also unrelenting (and now they're not even letting me in anymore).

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