8 Venomous Snakes found in Oman (2025)
Believe it or not, you can find 8 types of venomous snakes in Oman.
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 Oman:
#1. Saw-scaled Viper
- Echis carinatus
Also known as Indian Saw-scaled Viper, Phoorsa, Little Indian Viper, or Sindh Saw-scaled Viper.
- Adults average 38-80 cm (15-31 in) long.
- They have flat, broad heads and very short snouts, with a cross-shaped marking on their heads and remarkably large eyes.
- Their coloring is gray, olive, and red to match their ground habitat. A series of spots, stripes, and dark borders decorate the body.
The Saw-scaled Viper is one of the venomous snakes in Oman responsible for serious bite incidents. It is quite small, but make no mistake! One bite from this viper can cause internal bleeding and death within a few hours.
You’ll find Saw-scaled Vipers in shrublands and deserts. They like to rest inside burrows and fallen logs during the day. They feed on rodents, lizards, scorpions, and centipedes at night. When it rains, adults scramble up to higher trees, shrubs, and cacti.
Look out for strange S-shaped indents in the sand or listen for loud rasping noises. These are the tell-tale signs that there’s a Saw-scaled Viper nearby. They are highly aggressive and capable of lunging to deliver a bite.
#2. 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 Oman.
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.
#3. Khosatzki’s Saw-scaled Viper
- Echis khosatzkii
Also known as Dhofar Carpet Viper.
- Adults are 40-46 cm (16-18 in) long on average.
- This species is usually light brown or tan, with dark crossbands or spots on the back. The belly is plain and lighter in color than the rest of its body.
- Some specimens have narrow heads, while some have broad heads, depending on their natural range.
Khosatzki’s Saw-scaled Vipers are a rare species you can only find in Oman and Yemen in the Middle East. Amidst the dry, rocky deserts, these snakes thrive by staying close to water sources. Occasionally, they even find their way into people’s gardens!
Come feeding time, Khosatzki’s Saw-scaled Vipers prey on the land’s fattest, juiciest lizards. Unlike other snakes that hide under rocks or burrows, these vipers are not afraid to hang out above ground among bushes. They’re highly venomous, fierce, and can hold their own!
When it feels threatened, the Khosatzki’s Saw-scaled Viper rubs its specialized scales together, producing the raspy “sawing” sound that it’s named for. If you get bitten, watch out for initial symptoms such as blistering, headache, and vomiting. If left untreated, these could lead to seizures, necrosis, and hemorrhage. Hurry to the nearest hospital if you suspect a bite from this snake!
#4. Arabian Cobra
- Naja arabica
- Adults grow up to 240 cm (94 in) long.
- Their heads are broad and flattened with round snouts.
- The coloring is brown, copper, or dark gold, with pale throats and bellies.
It’s rare to see this venomous snake in Oman.
That’s because Arabian Cobras live in remote areas in the hottest deserts of the world! They stay close to the sparse vegetation and bodies of water in oases. During the day, they hunt frogs, small mammals, birds, and other snakes.
Guard your eyes! The Arabian Cobra can spray venom from 8 feet (2.4 m) away. As with other cobras, it will raise its forebody off the ground and spread its neck hood when confronting threats. This snake can be wildly unpredictable, so stay away.
Arabian Cobra venom is neurotoxic, attacking the nervous system and causing paralysis. Within hours, the lungs can shut down, resulting in death. There might not be pain or swelling in the bite area, but don’t let that fool you. Seek medical attention immediately!
#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 Oman 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. Oman Saw-scaled Viper
- Echis omanensis
Also known as Oman Carpet Viper.
- Adults are 61 cm (24 in) long on average, with males being slightly larger. They have long tails.
- They’re typically dark brown or gray. Along the back, there are prominent dark blotches and rectangular bands.
- They are dark bands running from the nostrils towards the eyes and even further back.
If you find yourself in the Hajar Mountains of Oman, you might encounter the elusive Oman Saw-scaled Viper. In the winter, this snake species hibernates at the top of rocky terrains. But when it gets warm, it migrates downhill to hunt among trees and shrubs near water sources.
Oman Saw-scaled Viper Range Map
Oman Saw-scaled Vipers are ambush predators. Particularly excited after a light rain, they position themselves near mountain wadis and shallow ponds. Here, they patiently wait for their favored prey: frogs and toads emerging from the water! Birds who come in for a drink aren’t safe, either.
These venomous vipers pick out their favorite hunting grounds and resting spots, and they stay within the vicinity for several years.
Not much is known about the venom of the Oman Saw-scaled Viper. Of course, it’s best to treat them with caution like the rest of their deadly viper cousins. In one recorded bite incident, the patient experienced extreme pain and swelling. Thankfully, he was quickly treated with polyvalent antiserum.
#7. 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 Oman. 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!
#8. 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 Oman. 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.
Check out these guides to other animals found in Oman!
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9 Types of Snakes That Live in Oman! (ID Guide)
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21 MOST Common Birds That Live in Oman!
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11 MOST Common SPIDERS Found in Oman!
Which of these venomous snakes have you seen before in Oman?
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