Iranian spider-tailed viper tricks bird

Pseudocerastes urarachnoides is known as “Iranian spider-tailed viper” because of its unique elaborated arachnid-like caudal structure.The snake, reported only in western Iran so far, uses its tail movements for defence and hunting. By moving the tip of the tail, the structure is reminiscent of a moving spider, luring potential prey.

Credit:
Avian deception using an elaborate caudal lure in Pseudocerastes urarachnoides (Serpentes: Viperidae)
Behzad Fathinia; Nasrullah Rastegar-Pouyani; Eskandar Rastegar-Pouyani; Fatemeh Todehdehghan and Fathollah Amiri
Amphibia-Reptilia DOI: 10.1163/15685381-00002997