It is often easily recognized by the presence of a pair of supraocular "horns", although hornless individuals do occur.

Compared to C. gasperettii, the relative head size of C. cerastes is larger and there is a greater frequency of horned individuals (13% versus 48%, respectively).

The snake is common in Iraq but is also found in Syria, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Yemen, Jordan, Israel, Qatar, Mauritania, Morocco and Kuwait.

[3] These snakes favor dry, sandy areas with sparse rock outcroppings, and tend to avoid coarse sand.

[4] They typically move by sidewinding, during which they press their weight into the sand or soil, leaving whole-body impressions.

They have a reasonably placid temperament, but if threatened, they may assume a C-shaped posture and rapidly rub their coils together.

In the wild, they are typically ambush predators, lying submerged in sand adjacent to rocks or under vegetation.

The diet of this carnivorous species consists primarily of small rodents, geckos, birds, and a variety of lizards.

[14] When approached, they strike very rapidly, holding on to the captured prey until the venom takes effect.

[4] Aziz Subach; Arik Dorfman; Bar Avidov; Adi Domer; Yehonatan Samocha; Inon Scharf (2022).

Movement ecology and foraging behavior of the Saharan horned viper in the Negev Desert – an outline for research – via ResearchGate.