Sidewinder

The snake that jumps sideways

The Sidewinder (Crotalus cerstes) is a small species of rattlesnake found in south west United States and north west Mexico. It grows to a maximum of 80 cm long. It has a stout body and sharp protruding eyebrow shields. Like all rattlesnakes, its tail tapers at the end.

The Sidewinder catches its prey by lying partly concealed beneath the sand. Coiled like a spring, it has no difficulty snatching and overcoming its prey.

A step to the side
Unlike other snakes, which drag themselves forwards, the sidewinder has adapted to moving in slippery sand in a special way. Two points of its body momentarily touch the ground, resulting in graceful, continuous, stepwise movements or a continuous series of little jumps.