Is a sidewinder nocturnal?

It is a nocturnal inhabitant of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico (see Sonoran Desert), where it feeds upon rodents. Adults average slightly more than 50 cm (20 inches) but can attain 80 cm. Sidewinders give birth to 5–18 young in the fall. ... Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes).

1. Do sidewinders hibernate?
2. What's the difference between a sidewinder and rattlesnake?
3. Is a sidewinder dangerous?
4. How do sidewinder snakes keep cool?
5. What eats a sidewinder snake?
6. Does a sidewinder have rattles?
7. How fast can a sidewinder snake move?
8. How far can a sidewinder strike?
9. What adaptations do sidewinder snakes have?
10. Are sidewinder snakes aggressive?
11. Do sidewinder snakes lay eggs?
12. Is the Sidewinder the fastest snake in the world?
13. Why do sidewinder snakes move sideways?
14. How many babies does a sidewinder have?
15. What do sidewinder eat in the desert?

Do sidewinders hibernate?

Despite being extremely hot in the summer, the southwestern deserts of the U.S. are cool in winter, so sidewinders hibernate during this period, usually in abandoned rodent burrows. The sidewinder's lifespan is 20 years or more.

What's the difference between a sidewinder and rattlesnake?

As nouns the difference between rattlesnake and sidewinder

is that rattlesnake is any of various poisonous american snakes, of genera crotalus'' and ''sistrurus , having a rattle at the end of its tail while sidewinder is a north american rattlesnake, crotalus cerastes , that inhabits lowland deserts.

Is a sidewinder dangerous?

Although sidewinders are venomous, like most rattlesnakes, these creatures will avoid confrontation whenever possible and retreat before striking. They are most dangerous when they are harassed or when someone try's to handle or move them.

How do sidewinder snakes keep cool?

Sidewinders are terrestrial snakes and rarely climb into vegetation. ... In order to stay cool, sidewinders spend most of their time in rodent burrows, the rest time is spend lying coiled up partially buried in the sand waiting on prey. These snakes take their common name from an unusual form of locomotion.

What eats a sidewinder snake?

The California king snake is a known predator of the sidewinder. Sidewinders are targeted by a number of predators, with juveniles being particularly at risk. Sidewinder predators include birds such as crows, hawks and shrikes, snakes such as the California kingsnake, and mammals such as raccoons and coyotes.

Does a sidewinder have rattles?

Sidewinders are distinguished among rattlesnakes by their horn-like superocular scales on their heads. This hornlike structure is why sidewinders are also called horned rattlesnakes. They also have a rattle on their tails; the number of segments of the rattle equates to the number of sheds the individual has completed.

How fast can a sidewinder snake move?

This species of rattlesnakes is known for its 'sidewinding' style of movement on desert sand. The sidewinding gait makes it easier to cross moving sands and other surfaces. The sidewinder can achieve speeds of up to 18 mph (29 kph).

How far can a sidewinder strike?

Rattlesnake Striking Distance

In most cases, a snake can strike up to a distance between 1/3 to 1/2 of its body length. For example, if the snake is four feet in length, its strike can likely reach no more than two feet. When rattlesnakes feel threatened, they will rattle their tails to make noise.

What adaptations do sidewinder snakes have?

As a protection against the blowing sand, the sidewinder snake has a protective scale above each of its eyes. These flaps are shaped like horns and give the snake an alter-ego – the horned rattlesnake. Besides deflecting blowing sand, the horns help protect the reptile's eyes from the harsh desert sun.

Are sidewinder snakes aggressive?

The sidewinder rattlesnake is indigenous to desert regions across southeastern California, southern Nevada, southwestern Utah, western Arizona and northwestern Mexico. Sidewinder rattlesnakes are venomous, but of little threat to humans, except for young children.

Do sidewinder snakes lay eggs?

During the day they hide beneath the sand or rocks; at night they emerge to hunt for rodents, birds, and lizards. Instead of giving birth to live young, these sidewinders lay from 8 to 23 eggs. ... This prevents the snake from overheating due to excessive contact with the desert sand.

Is the Sidewinder the fastest snake in the world?

29 km /18 m per hour

What is the fastest snake in the world? #1 hand down is the sidewinder. The sidewinder is a venomous pit viper snake that lives in the sandy deserts of the Southwestern USA and Northwestern Mexico, and makes this list of speediest snakes by moving in a unique way.

Why do sidewinder snakes move sideways?

But instead of sliding straight ahead along the ground, the sidewinder sets only parts of its body on the loose sand while the rest of its body lifts up and moves sideways. ... This appears to help the snake get a firm hold on the sand and travel quickly while limiting total contact time with the hot and unstable sand.

How many babies does a sidewinder have?

Sidewinders burrow underground and give birth in a natal burrow, typically in litters of between 5 and 18 young.

What do sidewinder eat in the desert?

Behavior. The sidewinder travels quickly over desert surfaces using its unique "side winding" locomotion to prey on pocket mice, kangaroo rats, lizards and sometimes birds. Young sidewinders prefer lizards while older ones prefer rodents.