Sidewinder Rattlesnake Information

The sidewinder, also known as Crotalus cerastes, is a desert rattlesnake found in Arizona, Nevada and California. According to the San Diego Natural History Museum, there are three subspecies of the sidewinder: the Colorado Desert sidewinder, Mojave Desert sidewinder and the Sonoran sidewinder.

  1. Description

    • The sidewinder is a small rattlesnake that only grows to be a maximum of 25 inches. According to Reptiles of Arizona, the rattlesnake can vary in colors depending on the color of the sand. They can range from tan to pinkish-tan to cream or gray. Between the prominent colors, a sidewinder will have white coloration marks. The tip of the tail is marked with black rings and a dark strip crosses from the eye to the corner of the mouth. A horizontal dark line crosses the center of the eye, while the pupils are vertical and oval. Above the eyes, hornlike scales protrude forward. At the end of the sidewinder's tail is a rattle; a new section is added every time the snake sheds its skin.

    Behavior

    • According to San Diego Natural History Museum, sidewinders are nocturnal in the summer months. They burrow underground during the day. In the spring, sidewinders can be found coiled on the desert surface in the shade. If the area is sandy, the sidewinder may bury everything but its head and dorsum. As its name indicates, sidewinders move sideways as their body moves in a "S"-shaped curve. This motion is a defense mechanism against the hot sand. By side-winding, only a few parts of the snake touch the sand at any given time.

    Diet

    • Sidewinders like to ambush their prey. They use heat-sensing pits to locate prey, then they coil, waiting for the prey to come within striking distance. Once it does, they bite the prey and inject their venom, then swallow. According to Reptiles of Arizona, sidewinders feast on lizards, mice, birds and other snakes.

    Warnings

    • Sidewinders have potent venom and should not be disturbed. According to Reptiles of Arizona, a large portion of sidewinder bites result from people handling or abusing the snakes.

    Fun Facts

    • According to the San Diego Natural History Museum, snakes do not have eyelids, so they are unable to blink. However in a sidewinder, the horns above their eyes allow a sidewinder's eyes to close. The pressure from burrowing pushes the base of the scale over the eyes and protects the eyes from scratches. A sidewinder is capable of slithering like a normal snake if it has to. A sidewinder having to turn a corner would be an example.