VIPERA (CERASTES) CAUDALIS.
colour is quite different, being a steel or ashy grey, with the spots much
darker, and tinted with the same hue. The character of the markings upon
the head is also subject to great variation, and even sometimes it is entirely
different.
F o rm , &c .—Head distinct from the neck; body thick in proportion to its
length; tail short, tapered, and pointed. The angles of the jaws are very
divergent, giving a great width to the hind head; the anterior portion of the
head is much narrower, the nose rounded, and the nostrils situated near its
apex, each in the centre of a thick and projecting scale. Eye-brows arched,
and each near its middle armed with a slender, pointed, and slightly recurved
spine, of about a line or a line and a quarter in length. The scales of the
anterior parts of the head, particularly around the eyes, are very small, and
those between and immediately behind the nostrils are imperfectly carinated.
On the hind-head they are of the same oval form as on the body, and distinctly
carinated. On the back and sides they are arranged in longitudinal
rows, and from the points of the scales of each row over-lapping the base of
the ones immediately behind them, the Carina form continuous ridges, generally
about twenty-seven in number. The row on each side next to the abdominal
plates consists of larger scales of a different shape and without carina;. The
scales of the tail resemble those of the body, and the two rows coating its
under surface, which, in the majority of snakes, are different to those above,
are in this species nearly alike, the only difference being, the carince are not
so developed. Abdominal plates 149, subcaudal scales 27 pair; length of
adult specimens about 14 inches, of which the tail generally forms nearly the
ninth part.
Dry sandy districts constitute the favourite habitats of this viper, which manifests all that
indolence of character so remarkable among the various species of the genus, and on account of
which they are more dreaded by the native of South Africa, than even snakes possessed of more
virulent poison, but disposed to action on the approach of danger. According to good testimony,
this species will continue for days together in one position, and as it never seeks 46
avoid danger, however imminent, its presence is rarely discovered unless when trampled upon,
and the offending parts wounded by its fangs. Though generally inactive, it is by no means
so when injured ; its movements are then performed with activity; and when once it seizes the
obnoxious object, it retains its hold with great determination, and some considerable exertion
ip often required to detach it. The same may be said of most of the vipers, in which respect
they differ materially from N aia. The various species of the latter, immediately after they
inflict a wound, detach themselves, and fly to a place of concealment; while the vipers, even
when detached by force, continue upon the spot where they fall, or remove but slowly from it.