Persian horned viper (Pseudocerastes persicus)
Snakes · Difficulty: Expert
Key facts and care guidance for Persian horned viper (Pseudocerastes persicus) (origin: Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, the Arabian Peninsula). Adult size around 60–90 cm. Life expectancy 12–18 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Persian horned viper: How big does the enclosure need to be?
120×60×50 cm.
Persian horned viper: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 26–32 °C, basking spot 36–38 °C, at night 18–22 °C.
Persian horned viper: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: UVB recommended.
Persian horned viper: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 12–18 years.
Persian horned viper: Is it suitable for beginners?
No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 26–32 °C
- Night temperature
- 18–22 °C
- Basking spot
- 36–38 °C
- Humidity
- 25–40 %
- UVB
- UVB recommended
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 120×60×50 cm
- Substrate
- Sand-loam they can dig in, stone slabs
Feeding
- Food
- Small frozen-thawed mice
- Feeding interval
- adults every 10–14 days
Key facts
- Adult size
- 60–90 cm
- Life expectancy
- 12–18 years
- Origin
- Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, the Arabian Peninsula
- Protection status
- VENOMOUS – a dangerous animal under German state law
- Brumation
- A cooler dry spell of 6–8 weeks
- Cohabitation
- Keep them singly. Snakes are solitary and do not seek company — a shared hide is competition for the best spot, not social behaviour. The concrete reason is the feeding accident: if two animals grab the same food item, one can swallow the other along with it. On top of that, once they are kept together you can no longer tell which animal has eaten and which is losing weight. For breeding, put them together under supervision and separate them again afterwards.
Notes
A desert species with scale horns above the eyes (unlike Cerastes, these are not true horn scales). Nocturnal, burying itself by day.
Do you keep this species?
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Related species
- Savanna vine snake (Thelotornis capensis) – Expert
- Egyptian cobra (Naja haje) – Expert
- Egyptian saw-scaled viper (Echis pyramidum) – Expert
- Barnett's lancehead (Bothrops barnetti) – Expert
- Usambara bush viper (Atheris ceratophora) – Expert
- Ottoman viper (Montivipera xanthina) – Expert
- Malayan krait (Bungarus candidus) – Expert
- Boomslang (Dispholidus typus) – Expert
What you need to start
To keep Persian horned viper (Pseudocerastes persicus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (120×60×50 cm), substrate (Sand-loam they can dig in, stone slabs), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.
The complete, interactive care database is in the Reptoria app.
Last updated: 8 November 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: Reptile Database: Pseudocerastes persicus - Reproduction – https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Pseudocerastes&species=persicus, Wikipedia: Persian horned viper, eierlegend – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudocerastes_persicus, https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persische_Trughornviper, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudocerastes_persicus, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Pseudocerastes&species=persicus
All values are non-binding guidance and do not replace expert advice. Research thoroughly from several sources before acquiring and keeping an animal, and observe the applicable law (species and animal protection in particular).