8 Venomous Snakes found in Jordan (2025)
Believe it or not, you can find 8 types of venomous snakes in Jordan.
But please don’t live in fear, thinking that you are going to be bitten. In general, snakes try to avoid any contact or interaction with people. If you leave them alone, you shouldn’t have any trouble!
Did you know that snakes are venomous, NOT poisonous? If you eat something that makes you sick, then it’s considered “poisonous.” If an animal, like a snake, delivers its toxins when it bites, it’s considered “venomous.”
*If you encounter any of these species, PLEASE DO NOT DISTURB! Venomous snakes are dangerous animals and should be left alone. The more you agitate them, the more likely you will get bitten. DO NOT RELY ON THIS ARTICLE to correctly identify a snake that has recently bitten you. If you have recently been bitten, GO DIRECTLY to the nearest hospital to get help and to determine if the snake is venomous.*
Venomous Snakes in Jordan:
#1. Arabian Horned Viper
- Cerastes gasperettii
Also known as Gasperetti’s Horned Sand Viper, Horned Viper.
- These small, stout-bodied snakes can grow 30-60 cm (12-24 in) long.
- Like most vipers, they have flat triangular heads. In addition, most specimens have horn-like scales above their eyes.
- Their coloring is tan or gray, perfect for blending into the sand. They have white bellies and a series of dark bars along their backs.
Scorching deserts are home to this devilish-looking venomous snake in Jordan.
The Arabian Horned Viper is a patient predator, lying in wait beneath the sand with only its eyes protruding. As unwary rodents, beetles, or lizards pass by, this viper strikes with deadly accuracy.
Arabian Horned Vipers are most active at night, escaping the heat like other desert creatures. When the sun is high, they seek shelter in abandoned animal burrows. Early in the day, however, you might find one basking in the morning sun.
Listen carefully! These venomous vipers will tell you if you’re straying too close to their territory by hissing loudly.
Bite symptoms are serious and include excessive bleeding and convulsions, potentially leading to death. Seek medical assistance at once if you’ve been bitten.
#2. Desert Horned Viper
- Cerastes cerastes
Also known as North African Horned Viper, Saharan Horned Viper, and Greater Cerastes.
- Adults are only 30-85 cm (12-33 in) long on average.
- They commonly display body colors such as yellow, gray, brown, and sometimes pink and red. Along the back and sides, there is a prominent pattern of dark rectangular blotches.
- Desert Horned Vipers got their name from the pair of sharp, unmistakable “horns” protruding from each eye.
In the deserts of Jordan, you might find a pattern of strange S-shaped markings in the sand. Tread carefully! These markings might mean that a Desert Horned Viper is nearby.
Most active during the night, Desert Horned Vipers are patient hunters. They lie motionless for hours while buried in the sand with nothing but their eyes and horns sticking out. Then, they strike quickly when an unsuspecting lizard or rodent passes by.
When this venomous snake feels threatened, it will rub its keeled scales together to make a rasping sound. If you hear this, it’s best to respect the warning and back away slowly. Unlucky victims of the Desert Horned Viper could face intense pain, swelling, and hemorrhage. Seek medical treatment at once if you are bitten!
#3. Field’s Horned Viper
- Pseudocerastes fieldi
Also known as False Horned Viper, Field’s Viper.
- These stout-bodied snakes are 46-122 cm (18-48 in) long on average. Their short, slender tails are visibly black on the tip.
- Their heads are pear-shaped and flattened, visibly distinct from their necks. Their snouts are short and blunt.
- The horn-like protrusions above this viper’s eyes aren’t as remarkable as other related viper species. That’s why it has another common name, the “False Horned Viper.”
Look for this venomous snake in Jordan among deserts and shrublands. If you find S-shaped markings on the sand, it might mean that a Field’s Horned Viper is nearby, moving in a sidewinding pattern. Be particularly watchful near rock crevices and animal burrows where this viper likes to nest.
Field’s Horned Viper Range Map
Field’s Horned Vipers are masters of the night. In the cover of darkness, they set out to hunt unsuspecting lizards, mice, small mammals, birds, and spiders.
Their venom is neurotoxic, and victims who get bitten may experience extreme pain, swelling, and even paralysis.
Though they’re typically shy and live far from human civilization, Field’s Horned Vipers won’t hesitate to attack if they feel cornered. First, they will hiss at you to announce a warning. If that happens, it’s best that you back away and leave the area before they get a chance to strike!
#4. Palestine Viper
- Daboia palaestinae
Also known as Palestinian Viper.
Identifying Characteristics:
- Adults grow 70-90 cm (28-35 in) long.
- They are stout-bodied snakes with short, tapered tails, flat heads, and blunt snouts.
- You can find dark V-shaped markings on the top and on both sides of the head.
- Their coloring is brown, gray, and olive, with dark bands and zigzags.
This highly venomous viper makes its home in Jordan in forests, hills, marshlands, and coastal plains. Palestine Vipers are nocturnal predators, ambushing rodents, small mammals, birds, and lizards that sleep at night.
The Palestine Viper prefers places where rat populations and water sources are abundant. Unfortunately, these tend also to be places where humans live and farm, and this species is responsible for most of the snake bites in its native range.
To steer clear of this venomous snake in Jordan, listen carefully for loud hissing noises! Palestine Vipers often loiter on tree branches high above the ground. Thankfully, they aren’t immediately aggressive and prefer to escape if disturbed.
#5. Moila Snake
- Malpolon moilensis
Also known as False Cobra, Hooded Malpolon, Talheh Snake.
- Adults are 80-140 cm (31-55 in) on average, but longer specimens reach 190 cm (75 in) long.
- Their eyes are big and round.
- They are light tan or straw in color. There’s a checkered pattern of brown spots across their bodies. Their bellies are paler in contrast.
Look for this venomous snake in Jordan near stony deserts and dry shrublands.
It feeds on lizards, gerbils, beetles, and small birds during the day. However, it may adapt to hotter weather by hunting at night.
Curiously, the Moila Snake is sought after in the exotic pet trade despite being venomous. However, think twice before you decide to keep this snake as a pet. Some individuals are calm, while others are short-tempered, and Moila Snakes are notoriously volatile. Therefore, only experienced keepers can safely handle them.
If threatened, this species will flatten and spread its neck into a hood as a means of intimidation. This behavior is how it earned its other common name, the “False Cobra.” The venom isn’t strong enough to kill a human, but it can cause excruciating pain and swelling.
#6. Painted Saw-scaled Viper
- Echis coloratus
Also known as Arabian Saw-scaled Viper, Mid-East Saw-scaled Viper, Burton’s Carpet Viper, Palestine Saw-scaled Viper, and Painted Carpet Viper.
- Adults are 75-83 cm (30-33 in) long on average.
- These vibrant snakes vary in color according to their environment. In rocky terrains, some are yellowish-gray or brownish-gray. Where there’s red sandstone or granite, they are reddish brown or pink.
The venomous Painted Saw-scaled Viper loves to hang out in the rocky deserts and hillsides of Jordan. Though it prefers to prowl among rocks and bushes on the ground, it’s surprisingly adept at climbing trees as well! When the weather gets hotter, this viper digs and hides in deep burrows to keep cool.
Most active during the night, Painted Saw-scaled Vipers sit next to desert oases and wait for their prey. They have a taste for birds, lizards, mammals, and large invertebrates. They use their long, hollow fangs to subdue their prey quickly. When not in use, they can fold these against the roof of their mouths.
Although bites by the Painted Saw-scaled Viper are common, they’re rarely reported to have serious effects. Regardless, keep your wits about you and stay alert in this viper’s territory. Its venom can cause swelling, severe bleeding, anemia, and, in extreme instances, kidney failure. Rush over to a medical facility if you’ve been bitten!
#7. Persian Horned Viper
- Pseudocerastes persicus
Also known as the Persian Horned Desert Viper, False Horned Viper, and Eye-horned Viper.
Identifying Characteristics:
- Adults can range between 45-116 cm (18-46 in) in length. They have stout bodies and short, slender tails.
- There are scaly horn-like protrusions above their eyes, but not as prominent as their horned cousins. Hence, the common name “False Horned Viper”.
- They have broad, flat heads distinct from their necks and short, rounded snouts.
Sandy, limestone deserts, and rocky hills are home to Persian Horned Vipers in Jordan. They’re shy creatures who prefer to stay far away from human habitations. You’ll find them hiding underneath boulders, inside rodent burrows, and amidst tall grasses.
Persian Horned Vipers have quite the appetite. Their favorite meals include lizards, mice, birds, small mammals, and arthropods. Plus, they’re not one to waste dead food if they come across one! These vipers are generally sluggish, but they can move sideways, straight forward, or in S-shaped curves to suit the terrain.
Although Persian Horned Vipers prefer to escape when confronted, they won’t hesitate to bite if they feel cornered. First, they will loudly hiss at you to announce a warning before coiling into a striking position. Their venom is still poorly studied, but it’s reported to cause intense pain, swelling, and internal bleeding. Thankfully, antivenom is available for this species.
#8. Western Black Desert Cobra
- Walterinnesia aegyptia
Also known as Desert Cobra, Desert Black Snake.
- Adults are 50-130 cm (20-51 in) long on average. They have short tails.
- As their common name suggests, these snakes are completely black all over. Their bodies are covered with shiny black scales.
- They have small, flattened heads which are distinct from their necks. They also have sharp snouts and small eyes.
If you want to avoid this dangerous snake in Jordan, be extra careful when you’re in rocky deserts, scrublands, and foothills. Sometimes, Western Black Desert Cobras can stray into farmlands in search of prey. Thankfully, these shy, solitary snakes prefer to escape rather than attack when disturbed.
Lizards, toads, other snakes, mice, and birds are all on the menu for the Western Black Desert Cobra. Also, this snake won’t waste the chance to eat dead food when available. Interestingly, this snake species doesn’t exclusively rely on its deadly venom to subdue its prey. It can also lunge from short distances, bite sideways, and use constriction techniques.
The bite of a Western Black Desert Cobra is no joke, even more venomous than the famous Indian Cobra from Asia and the iconic Cape Cobra from Africa! There have not been enough clinical reports to fully understand the effects of this cobra’s venom. However, we do know that it targets the nervous system and can cause nausea, vomiting, fever, and intense pain. Keep your distance!
Check out these guides to other animals found in Jordan!
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12 Types of Snakes That Live in Jordan! (ID Guide)
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26 MOST Common Birds That Live in Jordan!
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17 MOST Common SPIDERS Found in Jordan!
Which of these venomous snakes have you seen before in Jordan?
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