What is the primary evolutionary purpose cited for the supraorbital 'horns' of the Desert Horned Viper (*C. cerastes*)?
Answer
To shield the eyes from abrasive, wind-blown sand
The horns are thought to primarily function as a protective mechanism, helping to shield the eyes from abrasive sand that collects above them in the arid environment.
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What is the primary evolutionary purpose cited for the supraorbital 'horns' of the Desert Horned Viper (*C. cerastes*)?How does *Cerastes cerastes* move across loose desert sands efficiently?What method does *C. cerastes* employ for water conservation in its harsh environment?What is the structural difference defining the 'horn' on the European *Vipera ammodytes*?How does *Cerastes cerastes* produce an acoustic warning when threatened?What is the reproductive strategy utilized by the Desert Horned Viper (*C. cerastes*)?What is the generally reported length range for a mature *Cerastes cerastes*?Which habitat preference distinguishes *Vipera ammodytes* from *Cerastes cerastes*?Which symptom is explicitly mentioned as a potential severe effect following envenomation by *C. cerastes*?What proportion of the *Cerastes cerastes* population typically exhibits the characteristic supraorbital horns?