The Lut Desert's Deadly Viper
In The Lut Desert's Deadly Viper, narrator Sir David Attenborough explores one of the hottest places on Earth. He reveals how a newly discovered viper uses extraordinary camouflage and a spider-like tail to hunt migrating birds in this harsh environment. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Seven Worlds, One Planet, a series featuring remarkable animal behavior from all seven continents.
Lesson Express
Q: Where do migrating birds stop to rest in the desert?
A: The birds find a place to rest in the few trees that grow in the shade in the desert.
Q: Where is the viper found?
A: So far, the viper has only been found in the Lut Desert.
Q: What allows the viper to trick the birds?
A: The viper’s body camouflages with the rocks, and his tail looks like a moving spider with legs and an abdomen.