The many-horned adder buries itself in loose sand for camouflage against predators and prey (2), and can often be observed with only the top of its head protruding above the surface (5). It also adopts a side-winding mode of locomotion to help it move on the loose surface of desert sands (2) (5). When threatened, this snake hisses loudly and writhes vigorously, and may strike with such force that its whole body comes completely off the ground (2) (5). These small adders prey primarily on lizards, but will also occasionally take rodents, birds and amphibians (2) (4).
The many-horned adder is solitary, only coming together to breed (2). Between 5 and 14 live young are born (2), usually during the latter part of the summer or early autumn (5).