Ionides,C. J. P.

Orme-Smith,C.

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J.E.Afr.Nat.Hist.Soc. Vol.XXV No.2 (111) June 1965
A TRIP TO AL ABER, QUATI STATE, HADRAMAUT,
EASTERN ADEN PROTECTORATE.
By
C.J.P. IONIDES and C. ORME-SMITH
The objectives of the trip were to collect specimens of Cerastes
cerastes (Linnaeus), the Desert Horned-Viper, and of Echis coloratus
Gunther, the Arabian Saw-scaled Viper.
The habitat of both these snakes is desert, and in the case of
the latter, semi-desert also. Al Aber is a fort in the Arabian Desert
about 330 miles in a northerly direction from Mukalla which is on the
coast, and 300 miles north-east of Aden itself. It is at an altitude
of 3,300 feet. The area consists of isolated stony hills, sand, lava
rocks and, in places, a certain amount of low scrub and coarse grass.
There is no cultivation.
We reached Al Aber in the afternoon on the 17th April, 1965. As
soon as we arrived we asked the Bedouin to spread the news among the
encampments in the area that we wanted news of any snakes seen. Pro-
vided the snakes were not molested in any way, we promised that a
substantial reward would be paid for any such information which
resulted in the capture of the specimen.
Early in the morning of the 18th, we started off in a Landrover
from Al Aber to make a round of the Bedouin encampments. We hoped to
pick up news of our quarry. At the first of these encampments news
was actually brought while we were drinking coffee with the Arabs. A
snake had been found in the near vicinity. We went to the place and
found a large adult male Cerastes coiled up among small dark stones.
He was captured at 7.40 a.m. and proved to be the largest of the
species we were able to collect during our stay in Al Aber. He was
27~ ins. long, had a girth of 3 ins., and a tail of 3~ ins. We con-
tinued the round but found that the news had not yet reached most of
the encampments.
On our way back to the fort we decided to make a search amongst
some small rocks on the side of the hill. We turned over many of the
rocks and discovered a male snake beneath one. He made off and hid
beneath another rock but was then captured. This species we have not
yet identified, but it is a back-fanged snake and although in no way
related to the Cerastes, its coloration of warm sand brown marked
irregularly with darker brown was surprisingly similar in general
effect. It also had a conspicuous dark round spot behind each eye.
On the 19th the round was made again. A fair sized Cerastes
female was taken in open rocky shale at 8 a.m. We dug an adult male
from under sand at 9.10 a.m. He was very angry and rustled loudly
when we caught him. This rustling is made by rubbing the strongly
keeled scales together while the snake is in a tightly coiled position.
Both Cerastes and Echis do this as a warning demonstration.
On the following day we secured two further specimens of Cerastesi
a female taken in sand at 7.55 a.m. and a male in a similar habitat
fifteen minutes later.
125
A Trip to Al Aber
On the morning of the 21st we were lucky enough to take our first
Echis coloratus. He was a large male of 28 ins. in length which we
found in a rocky area at 8.45 a.m. whilst he was still on the move.
Within five minutes of this success we discovered another E. coloratus,
this one a female lying under a rock. Our bag of Cerastes was increas-
ed by two specimens, namely a large male moving in sand at 7.40 a.m.
and within a few minutes a female was seen buried in the sand with only
her head visible. She was photographed by Mr. Orme-Smith in this
position and then collected. At about 9.55 a.m. a juvenile male snake
of the same species as the previous unidentified one, was taken on sand.
On the 22nd our first capture was made at 6.30 a.m. and our second
five minutes later. Both female Cerastes and both in a sandy area. At
6.40 a.m. also in sand, a male of the same species was taken. Two
hours later we collected a male of the unidentified species of back-
fanged snake. He was in a flat sandy area and spread a slight hood
when caught.
Following this capture, a strong wind arose which destroyed all
snake tracks. Probably as a result of this we failed to find any more
snakes that day. We left Al Aber on the 23rd to return to Mukalla.
During our stay at Al Aber there had been sunny days interspersed
with very light drizzle. However, shortly before we arrived, there
had been rain, and the day we left we heard that it rained again, We,
ourselves were caught in heavy rain on the way back. We had found the
nights cool, and the days quite warm, but somewhat windy.
Of the ten Cerastes taken, four had a large erectile horn-like
scale over each eye. In the remaining six, this process was absent.
The approximate lengths of the vipers caught were as follows:-
C. cerastes male horned 705 mm
C. cerastes male horned 660 mm
C. cerastes male unhorned 560 mm
C. cerastes female unhorned 480 mm
C. cerastes female unhorned 460 mm
C. cerastes female unhorned 450 mm
C. cerastes male horned 440 mm
C. cerastes female horned 440 mm
C. cerastes female unhorned 410 mm
C. cerastes male unhorned 390 mm
E. coloratus male 711 mm
E. coloratus female 570 mm
C. cerastes is clearly nocturnal in habit. During the day-time
it lies up under sand, often with only the head protruding, or in the
shade of stones. Its normal method of progression is "side-winding",
which means that it moves at right angles to the direction in which
its head is pointing and appears to skid along the sand in this manner.
It moves with quite surprising speed. Fur was found in some of the
faeces indicating that at least part of its diet is mammalian. It is
a high spirited snake ready to defend itself if molested. Its sandy
colour and broken pattern make it difficult to see in it's desert
habitat.
Judging by the two examples of E. coloratus taken, this species
is of a milder temperament than its more widespread relative E. carina-
tus. It may "side-wind" in the manner of Cerastes but does not always
do so. It occurs side by side with Cerastes in this area. It also
126
J.E.Afr.Nat.Hist.Soc. Vol.XXV No.2 (111) June 1965
has the habit of rustling its scales as a warning as does E. carinatus.
Though not so aggressive as E. carinatus it is a high spirited snake
which is not prepared to stand any nonsense. It also has a sandy
colour which assimilates with its desert environment.
Both species of viper are highly venomous, probably the E. color-
atus is more so.
Beyond the fact that one specimen was caught among rocks and two
in sand no particular notes were taken of the unidentified snake.
Various species of lizard were common in the area which suggests
the likelihood that they form the large part of the food of all these
three snakes.
We are deeply indepted to Qaid J.W.G. Gray of the Hadrami Bedouin
Legion and to his wife, whose help, hospitality and kindness resulted
in a most successful trip. The charm and friendliness of the Bedouin
of Al Aber and of all the Arabs with whom we came in contact added
greatly to the pleasure and success of the trip.
(Received 7th May, 1965)
Desert Horned-Viper in its Natural Habitat.
Photos by C. ORME-SMITH
127
A Trip to Al Aber
Cerastes cerastes
Echis coloratus
(Photos by N.P.MITTON)
128


A Trip to Al Aber , Quati state, Hadramaut, Eastern Aden protectorate

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A Trip to Al Aber , Quati state, Hadramaut, Eastern Aden protectorate

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