Don’t Hunt for Firewood in the Saudi Desert
Posted on July 19, 2008 by American Bedu
When
heading out towards the desert one will pass by a number of men who are
selling firewood as it can get quite cool in the desert after dark. These
men will have simply pulled their pick up truck with its truck bed
filled with stacks of tied firewood over by the side of the road and be
in business until it is all sold. There is a reason for this thriving business. While
at first blush the desert may appear to be shifting sands, rolling
dunes with occasional small trees and other signs of vegetation, other
life also exists in the desert beside the camels, sheep and desert dogs.
The Saudi viper is an extremely poisonous snake. If
bitten by one of these and particularly while in a remote area such as
the desert, chances are very high one would not survive. The venom reacts instantly going into the bloodstream and causing cardiac arrest.
If one notices irregular lines in the sand that could be an indication of a viper having slithered by earlier. And when setting up a desert camp, it should not be near any 
“brushy scraggly tree areas” or particular where one may notice a small hole going into the sand. These are areas where the viper likes to make its nest. And as illustrated by the photo, they can be grouped together in “packs” rather than an isolated viper here or there.
“brushy scraggly tree areas” or particular where one may notice a small hole going into the sand. These are areas where the viper likes to make its nest. And as illustrated by the photo, they can be grouped together in “packs” rather than an isolated viper here or there.
For those who get squeamish of snakes. I loaded the pictures as thumbnails. Others, please click to get the full image.
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