6 ugliest snakes ever discovered around the world

Snakes are of all sizes and shapes, but not all are as majestic and sleek as a python or a king cobra. Some are just plain weird—bulging eyes, unusual scales, and ghostly fangs that make them resemble the creatures of a science fiction film. From wrinkled, worm-like snakes to rough-skinned anomalies, there are some pretty ugly snakes in the world. But don't let their spooky appearance fool you, many of these snakes are an integral part of their ecosystems. Whether they snake through swamps, tunnel through the ground, or hide deep in rainforests, these are the 6 ugliest snakes ever found on the planet.

6 of the most hideous snakes ever spotted

Desert horned viper


With its spine-chilling, horn-like scales jutting out of its head, the desert horned viper (Cerastes cerastes) appears as if it is from a nightmare. Native to the hot deserts of North Africa and the Middle East, this snake's coarse, sand-painted scales enable it to camouflage itself in its dry environment. But what makes it stand out is its creepy, devilish "horns" over its eyes, making it seem almost mythical. Its sidewinding gait is only part of its creep factor, enabling it to glide through the dunes in a trance-like zig-zag pattern. Ugly or intriguing? Either one, you wouldn't wish to encounter this deadly reptile face-to-face in the wild.

Rhinoceros viper


The rhinoceros viper (Bitis nasicornis) is a reptile that would have been born of a nightmare created by a horror film director. Its thick, wart-covered scales and its odd horn-like protrusions on the snout make this viper both strange and eerie. It occurs in the rainforests of West and Central Africa and sports a body adorned with jagged, mismatched blue, green, and yellow patterns—looking like a bad camouflage experiment gone awry. Its colors are certainly dramatic, but its bulbous head and eerie, keeled scales give it a rather grotesque look. And just to top it all off, it packs one of the strongest venomous bites in the snake universe.

Gaboon viper


The gaboon viper (Bitis gabonica) is the epitome of creepy. Its enormous, triangular head, strangely blunt snout, and strange leaf-like markings make it appear to be cobbled together from spare reptile parts. It inhabits Central and West Africa's rainforests and boasts the longest fangs of any snake—up to two inches—strong enough to deliver a devastating venomous bite. Its ugly, chunky body and abrasive, ridged scales give it a bloated, almost unnatural look. The Gaboon viper's disguise might be staggering, but seen close up, its ghostly, dead-eye gaze and ballooned head are among the oddest and scariest in the world.

Nose-horned viper


The nose-horned viper (Vipera ammodytes) resembles something from mythology, but not necessarily a good kind. With its fleshly horn protruding from its snout, this snake is nearly deformed-looking, earning it the distinction of one of the most repulsive vipers on Earth. It can be found in Southern Europe and regions of the Middle East and merges into the rock terrain to ambush unsuspecting prey. Its large, coarse scales and creepy slit-like eyes just make it even more disturbing to be around. Though its horn may appear to be cartoon-like, its venom is not funny business—this snake has one of the deadliest bites in all of Europe. Ugly, menacing, and strangely intimidating, the nose-horned viper is indeed an odd reptilian creature.

Elephant trunk snake


The elephant trunk snake (Acrochordus javanicus) is quite possibly one of the odder-looking snakes on earth. Living up to its namesake, this aquatic snake features loose, wrinkled, baggy skin that renders it to appear far more akin to a limp, soggy rope than an efficient, slinking killer. Native to the polluted rivers and swamps of Southeast Asia, its coarse, knobby scales create a strange, rubbery texture—nearly as if it were warty. It has no discernible neck and a fat, bloated body that it drags about in the water with a stiff, awkward motion, like a piece of dead driftwood. Its bizarre, baggy look may lead you to wonder if it's a snake at all, but don't be deceived—it's a skilled underwater predator.

Eastern hog-nose snake


The eastern hog-nose snake (Heterodon platirhinos) is a reptile that has no idea what it wants to be. It has an upturned, piglike snout that makes it look goofy, almost comical, but do not be deceived—this snake is a master of theatrics. When threatened, it puffs out like a cobra, spreads out its neck, and hisses like the devil. If that's not enough to frighten away predators, it raises the ante by rolling onto its back, playing dead, and even releasing a stinky, foul liquid—Oscar-quality acting! Common throughout North America, its gangly stout body, tiny eyes, and strange antics put it on the list of weirdest and most likely ugliest snakes crawling about in the great outdoors.

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