The Sidewinder Photo Courtesy of Dick Schwenkmeyer |
This is a relatively small rattlesnake
native to the Mojave Desert, in California. It matures to be about
2-1/2 feet long. It is named for it's unusual S-shaped, "sideways
slither" method of travel. It has horn-like protuberances above
its eyes, that are believed to reduce glare in the hot sandy environment
of the desert. It is found in desert environments and sandy washes.
It is most active at night and hides during the day in rodent burrows
or coiled at the base of shady bushes. Its venom is said to be much
more toxic than that of most rattlesnakes, but its small size makes
it less of a threat than larger rattlesnakes. I was fascinated to
learn that an almost identical viper is native to the Sahara Desert
in northern Africa. I have no idea if they are genetic cousins. |
