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SIDEWINDER (Crotalus cerastes) TRACKS ©HeyPugshund The common name sidewinder is an allusion to its unusual form of locomotion, which is thought to give it traction on windblown desert sand, but this peculiar locomotor specialization is used on any substrate that the sidewinder can move over rapidly. As its body progresses over loose sand, it forms a letter-J shaped impression, with the tip of the hook pointing in the direction of travel. Sidewinding is also the primary mode of locomotion in other desert sand dwellers, and many other snakes can assume this form of locomotion when on slick substrates (e.g., mud flats). The species is nocturnal during hot months and diurnal during the cooler months of its activity period, which is roughly from March to November (probably longer in the southern part of its range). A small venomous pit viper species, with adult specimens measuring between 43 cm and 76 cm (17 to 30 in) in length. Most adults are 50–80 cm (19.8 to 32 in) in length. The females are larger than the males, which is unusual for this group of snakes. Midbody there are usually 21 rows of keeled dorsal scales.  Sometimes referred to as the horned rattlesnake because of the raised supraocular scales above its eyes. This adaptation may help shade the eyes or prevent sand drifting over them as the snake lies almost buried in it. Fact Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crotalus_cerastes Other photos you may like: Northwestern Neotropical Rattlesnake Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake Snake Eyes Leucistic Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake - Snowflake

SIDEWINDER (Crotalus cerastes) TRACKS ©HeyPugshund

The common name sidewinder is an allusion to its unusual form of locomotion, which is thought to give it traction on windblown desert sand, but this peculiar locomotor specialization is used on any substrate that the sidewinder can move over rapidly. As its body progresses over loose sand, it forms a letter-J shaped impression, with the tip of the hook pointing in the direction of travel. Sidewinding is also the primary mode of locomotion in other desert sand dwellers, and many other snakes can assume this form of locomotion when on slick substrates (e.g., mud flats).

The species is nocturnal during hot months and diurnal during the cooler months of its activity period, which is roughly from March to November (probably longer in the southern part of its range).

A small venomous pit viper species, with adult specimens measuring between 43 cm and 76 cm (17 to 30 in) in length. Most adults are 50–80 cm (19.8 to 32 in) in length. The females are larger than the males, which is unusual for this group of snakes.

Midbody there are usually 21 rows of keeled dorsal scales. 

Sometimes referred to as the horned rattlesnake because of the raised supraocular scales above its eyes. This adaptation may help shade the eyes or prevent sand drifting over them as the snake lies almost buried in it.

Fact Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crotalus_cerastes

Other photos you may like:

Northwestern Neotropical Rattlesnake

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

Snake Eyes

Leucistic Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake - Snowflake

Notes

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