Reptiles · Squamata · Viperidae

Sidewinder

Crotalus cerastes

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

The sidewinder is a rattlesnake of the sandy North American desert, with scales above its eyes that form horns. It moves with an unmistakable sideways motion: it throws its body sideways in loops, touching the sand at only two points, which reduces contact with the burning ground and stops it sinking in.

Weight

211 g on average

Size

43 cm – 82 cm

Lifespan

20 years

Diet

Carnivore

Feeds mainly on other animals.

Activity

Nocturnal

Active mainly at night.

Social structure

Solitary

Lives and hunts alone, joining others only to breed.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

DesertCarnivore Nocturnal Solitary Reptile Desert

3countries 5parks22same family

Fun facts

GeneralIt moves sideways across the sand, leaving a trail of J-shaped tracks.
locomociónIt moves with a characteristic sideways action that keeps its body off the hot sand as much as possible, leaving a very distinctive trail of parallel marks.
Its sideways movement leaves a trail of parallel J-shaped lines in the sand rather than a continuous track, and it is so characteristic that the species can be identified without seeing the animal.
That movement minimises contact with the burning sand and stops it sinking in, and it has been studied by engineers designing robots able to move over loose ground without getting stuck.
It buries itself in the sand until only its eyes and heat pits are showing, and waits like that, invisible, for a rodent to pass within reach.