1. A venomous horned viper found in North Africa and the Middle East, characterized by horn-like scales above its eyes.
Usage: zoology; also called horned viper or horned asp

Examples

• The cerastes is a dangerous desert snake that relies on camouflage to ambush its prey.
• Herpetologists study the cerastes to understand how its horn-like scales function in its environment.
• Ancient Egyptians were familiar with the cerastes and depicted it in their artwork.
• The cerastes buries itself in sand to avoid detection by potential threats.
• A bite from a cerastes requires immediate medical attention due to its potent venom.