Believe it or not, you can find 5 types of venomous snakes in Syria.

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 Syria:

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#1. 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 Syria 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!

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#2. Lebanon Viper

• Montivipera bornmuelleri

Also known as Bornmueller’s Viper.

• These small snakes are 47-75 cm (19-30 in) long on average, with males being larger and brighter in color.
• Their body colors range from gray, tan, and brown to black. You’ll notice a fragmented pattern of bars and blotches on their backs.
• Their tails are short, with a yellow tip. They have large, triangular heads distinct from their necks.

Hidden in the heart of cedar forests, alpine grasslands, and shrublands in Syria is the extremely rare Lebanon Viper. Every September, these snakes take to the top of rocky mountains to hibernate for the winter. Then, by May, they migrate downhill to spend their summers where it’s lush and warm.

Sadly, Lebanon Vipers are endangered. Their natural habitats are threatened by herd overgrazing, development of roads, and tourism activities. With fragmented populations, it becomes harder for them to find a mate.

Be careful around animal burrows and tall bushes where Lebanon Vipers might be hunting for mice, voles, lizards, and small mammals. These vipers are highly venomous, and one bite can send a healthy adult to an urgent trip to the hospital! Symptoms may include dizziness, respiratory distress, internal bleeding, and heart failure. Remember, timely administration of antivenom is crucial to save lives!

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#3. 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 Syria 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 Syria, 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.

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#4. Levantine Viper

• Macrovipera lebetinus

Also known as the Lebetine Viper, Levant Viper, Lebanese Viper, Blunt-nosed Viper, West-Asian Blunt-nosed Viper, Mountain Viper, Coffin Snake.

• Adults are 150 cm (59 in) long on average.
• Usual body colorations include gray, beige, or tan. They’re spotted or striped brown and blue along their bodies.
• True to their common name, “Blunt-nosed Viper,” they have blunt snouts. They also have flat, broad, triangular heads.

Lurking among the mountain valleys, rocky hills, and shrublands of Syria is the Levantine Viper, a true master of disguise. By day, this snake hides under the cool shade of trees or stakes out near water holes.

When the sun goes down, the Levantine Viper positions itself to catch lizards, birds, and rats (juvenile vipers, on the other hand, prefer to eat insects). Though sluggish and unmoving for the most part, this viper will strike with astonishing speed at any passing prey!

Unfortunately, this highly venomous species frequently finds its way into urban areas searching for mice. Bite incidents from Levantine Vipers are common, causing abdominal pain, blistering, internal bleeding, and death in the worst cases. If you get bitten, seek medical help at once!

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#5. 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 Syria. 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.

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Check out these guides to other animals found in Syria!

• 6 Types of Snakes That Live in Syria! (ID Guide)

• 25 MOST Common Birds That Live in Syria!

• 17 MOST Common SPIDERS Found in Syria!

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Which of these venomous snakes have you seen before in Syria?

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