A new study using ecological modeling suggests that the Zagros Mountains in Iran were a key location where Neanderthals and early modern humans interbred, providing a potential explanation for the genetic traces of Neanderthals found in modern humans. This finding highlights the importance of the region in human migration and evolution.
The spider-tailed horned viper, a fascinating reptile with a unique tail resembling a spider, is native to the Zagros Mountains of western Iran and eastern Iraq. Its distinctive appearance and hunting technique make it stand out from other species. Measuring between 50 to 65 centimeters in length, this venomous snake has a gray or tan coloration and elaborate tail and horned features. Unlike the Persian horned viper, the spider-tailed viper’s tail is not a mutation but an evolutionary adaptation that acts as a fleshy lure to attract prey, primarily migrating birds.
