Saharan horned viper (Cerastes cerastes)

Short answers

Saharan horned viper: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 110×65×45 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, African horned vipers).

Saharan horned viper: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–30 °C, basking spot 33–35 °C, at night 18–22 °C.

Saharan horned viper: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Weak UVB recommended (a desert species, Ferguson zone 2–3), but not essential.

Saharan horned viper: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 14–18 years.

Saharan horned viper: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–30 °C

Night temperature

18–22 °C

Basking spot

33–35 °C

Humidity

30–50 % (dry; one locally damp digging spot)

UVB

Weak UVB recommended (a desert species, Ferguson zone 2–3), but not essential

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 110×65×45 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, African horned vipers)

Substrate

Sand about 7–10 cm deep for burying; a small area (~10 %) slightly damp; rock structures and hides

Feeding

Food

Frozen mice of a suitable size (rodents, occasionally chicks)

Feeding interval

adults every 10–14 days, juveniles weekly

Key facts

Adult size

30–60 cm, max. ~85 cm (females larger)

Life expectancy

14–18 years

Origin

North Africa / the Sahara, the Arabian Peninsula, south-western Israel (arid regions)

Protection status

A VENOMOUS SNAKE – keeping it requires a permit, notification and proof of expertise in several German states (e.g. Bavaria, Berlin, Hesse); North Rhine-Westphalia has banned new acquisitions since 2021; not listed under CITES, but observe the states' dangerous-animal law

Brumation

Yes – a winter rest or brumation of about 2–3 months at 12–15 °C (the annual mean is rather cool at ~20 °C, for health and breeding)

Cohabitation

Keep them singly – solitary; put them together only briefly and under supervision for breeding, and never keep males together

Notes

The venom is medically significant and a bite is potentially life-threatening – only for experienced keepers with a safety concept. A sidewinding desert viper that buries itself by day. Common mistakes: conditions that are too damp (respiratory and skin problems) and no winter rest. Not all animals carry the typical "horns".

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Related species

• Sahara sand viper (Cerastes vipera) – Expert
• 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

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Saharan horned viper (Cerastes cerastes) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 110×65×45 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, African horned vipers)), substrate (Sand about 7–10 cm deep for burying; a small area (~10 %) slightly damp; rock structures and hides), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.