By: Saba Syed Today we will learn some cool information and facts about Sidewinder snake. The Sidewinder snake belongs to the subspecies of rattlesnake. It is also known as Crotalus cerastes. Side winding is the best way of locomotion that suits its environment. Due to raised, pointed, and hornlike scales, it is also known as "horned rattler." It is often found buried in sand of the desert or in the animal burrows. It is mostly seen at night, as it is primarily nocturnal, which means it sleeps during the day. Like many other snakes, sidewinder snake’s diet consists of small rodents such as Pocket mice, Kangaroo Rats, lizards, and sometimes birds. As a young snake, it prefers lizards, while as an adult it prefers rodents. Rodents are bitten, released and tracked down, while lizards are held until the venom takes effect. It is poisonous, thus uses venom to kill its prey. The sidewinder snake can range from 18 to 32 inches in length. The raised scales above its eyes creating a horn-like appearance helps in easily distinguish it from other snakes. These structures are not horns however; they may be an adaptation that helps protect its eyes. It also has a dark eye strip extending back along its head. Its color is pale brown with small dark patches on my back. This coloration allows the snake to blend in with the sand. Sidewinder snake’s mating period is from April through May, sometimes in the fall. It gives birth to 5-18 young late summer to early fall. The babies are born 6 to 8 inches long. Some cool facts about this unique snake are that it is usually venomous; however, its bite is usually not fatal to humans. It travels quickly over desert surfaces using its unique "side winding" locomotion.
 WHO AM I?
I am Sidewinder snake. I belong from subspecies of rattlesnake. I am also known as Crotalus cerastes. Sidewinding is the best way of locomotion that suits my environment. Due to raised, pointed, and horhlike scales, I am sometimes called the "horned rattler."  WHERE DO I LIVE?
I can often be found buried in the sand of the desert or in animal burrows. I will mostly be seen at night as I am primarily nocturnal (sleeps during the day). However, In the spring, I can be found coiled on the desert surface in the shade. WHAT DO I EAT? Like many other snakes my diet consists of small rodents such as the Pocket mice, Kangaroo Rat, lizards, and sometimes birds. As a young, I prefer lizards while as an adult I prefer rodents. Rodents are bitten, released and tracked down, while lizards are held until the venom takes effect. I am poisonous, thus uses venom to kill my prey. HOW DO I LOOK? My length can range from 18 to 32 inches. I can be distinguished by the raised scales above my eyes creating a horn-like appearance. These structures are not horns however, they may be an adaptation that help protect the my eyes. I also have a dark eye strip extending back along my head. My color ispale to brown with small dark patches on my back. This coloration allows me to blend in with the sand.  HOW DO I REPRODUCE?
I mate April through May, sometimes in the fall. I give birth to 5-18 young late summer to early fall. The babies are born 6 to 8 inches long. FUN FACTS ABOUT ME! I am usually venomous, however my bite is usually not fatal to humans. I travel quickly over desert surfaces using my unique "side winding" locomotion. Snakes do not have eyelids, so they are unable to blink. However I have the horns above my eyes allow me to close my eyes. ACTIVITY Grade K-1
Spark up your imagination and create a poster of sidewinder snake. Use a colored construction paper (8”x11”) for this super creative activity. The poster must include at least 1 picture (hand drawn or printed), and some cool facts about the sidewinder snake. You can color it any way you want, using crayons, markers, paints, or colored pencils. Create a poster of this unique sidewinder snake. This is where you can be as creative as you like. Your poster should be approximately 18”x18” inch and must include at least 3 pictures. The pictures can be hand drawn or printed. The poster must also include some cool facts about the sidewinder snake and also one thing about sidewinder snake that interest you the most. You can decorate it any way you want, using crayons, markers, paints, or colored pencils.
Grade 3
Put on your artist hat and get ready! Create an exciting poster of this unique sidewinder snake, a Sonora Desert native. The size of the poster should be about 18”x24”. and must include at least 4 pictures. The pictures can be hand drawn or printed from the websites. The poster must also include some fun and interesting facts about the sidewinder snake.It must also include two things about the sidewinder snake that interest you the most, labelled separately under a separate heading. Use any art medium you are interested in in making this poster colorful including crayons, markers, paints, or colored pencils. WHERE DID YOU FIND INFORMATION ABOUT ME? Exploring the Southwest - Desert USA A comprehensive resource about the North American deserts and the living things that call these deserts a home. Desert Animals Encyclopedia Britannica Online encyclopedia |