In the mountains of Iran, a flycatcher scans the area for something to eat \u2013 and spots a spider in a crevice.<\/p>\n
But unfortunately for the bird, it isn’t actually a spider: it’s something far more dangerous (and venomous).<\/p>\n
This bizarre attack is actually an evolutionary adaptation of the spider-tailed horned viper (which we named one of the weirdest snakes in the world), which belongs to a genus of snakes commonly known as ‘false-horned vipers’.<\/p>\n
The viper’s tail is bulb-like with drooping scales, giving it the appearance of a spider.<\/p>\n
The spider-horned viper uses its tail to trick and lure in birds, then strikes with its venomous bite \u2013 with the rest of its body well-camouflaged against the rocks.<\/p>\n
While the viper’s venom is highly-specialised for birds, its affect on humans isn’t currently known.<\/p>\n
So we don’t suggest being the first to find out…<\/p>\n