1. Highly venomous viper of northern Africa and southwestern Asia having a horny spine above each eye
   "The sand viper buried itself in the desert sand, leaving only its eyes visible";
   - horned viper, cerastes, horned asp, Cerastes cornutus
    
2. Harmless North American snake with upturned nose; may spread its head and neck or play dead when disturbed
   "The sand viper's dramatic defensive display often startles unsuspecting hikers";
   - hognose snake, puff adder

Derived forms: sand vipers

Type of: colubrid, colubrid snake, viper

Part of: Aspis, genus Aspis, genus Cerastes, genus Heterodon, Heterodon

Encyclopedia: Sand viper