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Sidewinder — printable fact sheet
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Sidewinder
Crotalus cerastes
The sidewinder is a small, venomous pit viper native to the deserts of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Known for its unique method of movement, called 'sidewinding,' this snake glides across loose sand with minimal contact, leaving distinctive J-shaped tr…
Did you know?
- Unlike most rattlesnakes, sidewinders lay eggs that hatch inside the female's body, giving birth to live young in a process called ovoviviparity.
- Sidewinders are among the fastest-moving snakes across loose sand, reaching speeds up to 18 miles per hour in short bursts. The 'horns' above their eyes are thought to protect them from blowing sand and intense sunlight. Juvenile sidewinders use their tails to lure prey by mimicking the movements of insects.
What I learned
Draw the sidewinder
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