When heading out towards the desert one will pass by a number of men who are selling firewood as it can get quite cool in the desert after dark. These men will have simply pulled their pick up truck with its truck bed filled with stacks of tied firewood over by the side of the road and be in business until it is all sold. There is a reason for this thriving business. While at first blush the desert may appear to be shifting sands, rolling dunes with occasional small trees and other signs of vegetation, other life also exists in the desert beside the camels, sheep and desert dogs.
The Saudi viper is an extremely poisonous snake. If bitten by one of these and particularly while in a remote area such as the desert, chances are very high one would not survive. The venom reacts instantly going into the bloodstream and causing cardiac arrest.
If one notices irregular lines in the sand that could be an indication of a viper having slithered by earlier. And when setting up a desert camp, it should not be near any 
“brushy scraggly tree areas” or particular where one may notice a small hole going into the sand. These are areas where the viper likes to make its nest. And as illustrated by the photo, they can be grouped together in “packs” rather than an isolated viper here or there.
For those who get squeamish of snakes. I loaded the pictures as thumbnails. Others, please click to get the full image.
Filed under: Animals, Saudi Arabia, travel
Wow!
And a group of us were walking all around on Moon Mountain here in Jeddah never even thinking that we might be in any kind of danger. There are also scorpians. Do you know if they also just as deadly as the viper?
Perhaps they might want to post a sign where we tourists or other Saudis who are not bedus are known to frequent.
Lovely pics!
Especially as I won’t encounter them here
Yesl scorpions are also prevalent in the desert as well. They can give a nasty sting with lingering effects but I do not believe as venomous or deadly as the vipers…but perhaps someone more knowledgable than me can comment regarding scorpion stings…
CAROL!,
I just got over the thought of these snakes after checking out your pics a couple weeks ago and now here you go again with these pics!!! I used to think if I ever made it to Saudi I’d like to check out the desert but now I’m not sure! ; ) By the way, I do love the new pic at the top of your blog. Hope all is well with your recovery, thinking of you and your family often! : )
To reassure you Tina, the chances of ever encountering such critters in the desert is relatively slim. Particularly since I’ve instructed you on what kind of places to avoid as well! (smile)
Glad you are enjoying the new look. Thanks for the encouraging words and get ready for a series of hospital tales!
A visit to KSA sounds more and more enticing….
Pfff….
Just think Arabian horses…..arabian horses….