The Snakes Of Qatar: World Snake Day

The Snakes Of Qatar

From venomous species to snakes that use constriction to immobilize their prey, snakes that live in Qatar are very different from each other. Desert snakes are not very common to find in residential areas, but the country is no stranger to snake sightings every now and then.
Here are some of the many snake species that can be found in Qatar.

1. The Afro-Asian Sand Snake

The Afro-Asian Sand Snake can be found in various habitats except for high mountains and unvegetated deserts. They are often seen near humans in parks and greenbelts. Their diet consists of young birds, rodents, lizards, and bats. On average, adult sand snakes measure just under 100cm, although they can occasionally reach 150cm. They have a long and narrow head shape resembling a coffin, with a very thin neck region that distinguishes it. The snakes' coloration varies, but there are two common forms. The first form is tan with a pale tan-dotted line along the spine, dark-edged stripes running down the body, and a white/cream ventral surface with a heavy black or brown ventral stripe. The second form is darker brown with a white dorsal stripe, a yellowish stripe above the flanks, and a white stripe entering the ventral scales.

2. The Arabian Sand Boa

The Arabian Sand Boa prefers sandy desert habitats and spends most of the day buried deep in the sand, emerging just below the surface at night with only its eyes raised to hunt prey. They rely on constriction to kill their prey. These small snakes usually measure around 30-45cm, but some sand boas have been found as large as 64cm. They have a small head with fragmented scales and eyes positioned on top of the head. Their snout is shaped like a spade, allowing them to quickly and efficiently bury themselves in the sand. The body is short and thick, naturally round but capable of flattening when needed. Their dorsal surface features black bars that may or may not split along the vertebral line, with a reddish brown to brown coloration. The ventral surface ranges from orange and yellow to tan.

3. Arabian Horned Viper

Horned Vipers are found in the sandy desert areas, and feed mainly on small vertebrates and desert rodents. These snakes are nocturnal and are A-grade ambush predators, lying beneath the sand with only the top of the head protruding. Horned Vipers are known to be very tolerant of traffic in close quarters. If threatened they will curl up into a horseshoe shape and rub their rough scales together creating a loud rasping sound. Although rare, the bite of this snake can produce life-threatening symptoms.
 

4. Clifford's Diadem Snake

Clifford's Diadem Snake is found in gravel plains, savannahs, foothills, and mountain plateaus. They are active throughout the day and night. Their diet primarily consists of rodents, making them valuable in controlling rodent populations when found in large numbers near humans. Adults can reach lengths of up to 130cm, although in Arabia, a length of 90-100cm is more common. They have a coffin-shaped head that tapers from the jaw angle to a narrow snout. The body is thick, long, and slightly square in section. The snakes display variable colors, with gray/tan to reddish brown being the most common base color, along with a series of brown oval patches running along the spine.

5. The Crowned Dwarf Snake

The Crowned Dwarf Snake prefers habitats ranging from arid alluvial plains to temperate Mediterranean environments. They are often found in agricultural lands and other human-made habitats, where they feed on lizards and other soft-bodied invertebrates. Adult crowned dwarf snakes typically measure between 25-30cm in length. They have a slightly wider head compared to their body, and the body itself is a bit bulky with smooth dorsal scales. The tail is noticeably narrower than the main body and constitutes around 20% of the snake's total length. Their dorsal surface is usually pale brown to grey with darker bands, while they possess a thick brown crescent-shaped collar. The underside of the snake is yellowish to white with round brown spots.

6. Crowned Leaf-nosed Snakes

Crowned Leaf-nosed Snakes inhabit sandy deserts and gravel plains. They are nocturnal creatures and are rarely encountered. Their diet exclusively consists of lizards. These snakes are typically around 30cm in length, although they can reach up to 44cm. They have a narrow head with large eyes that have elliptical pupils, which do not extend as close to the edge of the iris as other snakes with vertical pupils. Their body scales are smooth and glossy. While their coloration can vary, they usually have a pinkish base color with 12-18 rows of dark brown patches along the dorsal surface. The ventral surface is white, cream, or salmon pink. There is another color variation that is more yellow with red patches.

7. The Desert Black Snake

The Desert Black Snake inhabits arid hilly terrain, gravel plains, and scrubland. They are nocturnal and rarely seen, primarily preying on Uromastyx lizards and rodents. When disturbed, the snake may display a defensive posture, and only with prolonged disturbance or restraint would it resort to biting. The snake possesses short fixed fangs in the front of its mouth that deliver a potent neurotoxin. This species has been known to cause human fatalities. The size of the desert black snake ranges from 100-140cm, with a broad head covered in glossy black head shields. The eyes are small and dark. The body is thick, elongated, and has a sub-triangular cross-section. The snake is completely black in color, exhibiting a bright blue iridescence when viewed in sunlight.

8. Flowerpot Snakes

Flowerpot Snakes thrive in soil with good natural groundwater, often found in agricultural areas where the land is irrigated or cultivated. They primarily feed on termites and their larvae. These snakes resemble small earthworms, with an average adult length of 12-15cm. They have a rounded head and low-set eyes that are barely visible except for dark shaded patches. The snakes vary in color, but in the Arabian region, they are generally uniform pink.

9. The Hooded Malpolon

The Hooded Malpolon, also known as the False Cobra, undergoes shedding approximately once every 30-50 days. The process takes around 7-10 days, during which the snake's eyes turn bluish in color and its skin becomes pale. After a week, the snake sheds its skin. It is important to avoid handling or feeding the snake during this period. In the wild, the Hooded Malpolon mainly feeds on rodents, fledgling birds, and lizards. When threatened, it can mimic a cobra's defensive stance by spreading its neck into a hood and hissing. Adult Hooded Malpolon snakes typically measure between 0.80-1.40m in length, although some specimens can reach up to 1.9m. They have large round eyes, reddish in color. A distinguishing feature is a black blotch running from the cheek to the angle of the jaw. The snakes generally have a straw-colored background with brownish spots along the body, and their belly surface is usually creamy in color.

10. Hardwicke's Rat Snakes

Hardwicke's Rat Snakes prefer marshes, vegetated deserts, oases, and hard substrates. They are commonly found near human settlements, particularly in date plantations, agricultural lands, and farm storage areas. These fast and diurnal foragers primarily feed on mice and rats that are attracted by human activities. The snake's saliva excretes a mild toxin that affects small animals but is harmless to humans. Adult rat snakes average around 65-70cm in length, with a maximum length of up to 95cm. They have a head covered in large smooth plates and a long, slender body and tail, with the tail comprising about 25% of the total body length. Their scales are smooth and shiny, and they exhibit various colors and patterns. The most common colors are grey, brown, or straw, with black patches running along the back that fade toward the tail.

11. The Sindh Saw-Scaled Viper

The Sindh Saw-Scaled Viper is commonly found in vegetated sandy deserts, gravel plains, and arid grasslands. They are frequently encountered in agricultural and urbanized areas. While babies primarily feed on geckos and soft-bodied insects, adult vipers consume small vertebrates such as rodents, shrews, lizards, and fledgling birds. They adapt well to urban gardens, taking advantage of rodent and gecko populations. These nocturnal snakes typically ambush their prey from the shelter of rocks or shrubs, and unlike horned vipers, they do not bury themselves in the sand. However, if disturbed, they may coil into a horseshoe shape and rub their scales together, creating a rasping sound. They are generally tolerant of human activity and passing traffic in close quarters, but caution should be exercised as they are venomous. The saw-scaled viper usually measures between 35-45cm in length, although exceptional individuals can reach up to 70cm. They have a slightly flattened and pear-shaped head, large elliptical eyes with catlike pupils, and a thin neck that distinguishes the head from the body. The body is thick, and the color patterns can vary. The most common colors are brown, grey, or tan, with a prominent series of white blocks along the spine. There is a row of small downward-pointing whitish crescents along the flanks, and the ventral surface is white with pale brown or grey blocks or speckles in the center of each scale.