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The sidewinder's length is 24" or less. It's tan with dark blotches and specks on the side. It might also appear pinkish yellow. It has a triangular head, a narrow neck, and a thick body. It is the smallest and least dangerous of all the rattlesnakes. The sidewinder has a short, brown/black tail, connected to a small rattle. Its prime location is Lake Mead. It is most nocturnal and is the best identifier. The sidewinder leaves a trail of parallel-J markings. Because of the two, small, hornlike projections coming over on top of its eyes, It is also known as "The Horned Rattlesnake". they have heat scensors in them to track down prey. Sidewinders are found in arid desserts, flatlands, and loose, sandy washes. They are also common in Arizona and Las Vegas Valley. The sidewinder's diet consists of kangaroo rats, pocket mice, lizards, small mammals and rodents. It is a carnivore, and it may also eat birds. The female sidewinder is slightly larger than the male. It gives birth to live young. The mating and birth are the two most important events of this snakes life. Females take a year of breeding, it breeds every other year.They mate in early April and May, and sometimes in fall. Snakes can mate for several hours. When mating, the male crawls on the female's back, rubbing with its chin to arouse. If one moves, the other is dragged. It gives birth to 15-18 young in late summer to early fall. The babies are born 6-8 inches long. The birth takes 2-3 hours altogether. They stay near its birthplace for a few days, than disappears, with no future contact with its parents. The sidewinder does hibernate, when it is too cold, or too hot,in a burrow. Sometimes there might be more than one different kind of snake in a burrow. Its body temperature in general needs to be around 3O*C, or 80*F. when it is too cold, they can have trouble digesting and moving around. When it is too hot, and cannot find any shade, it will overheat and die. The sidewinder has really no predators except for humans. It has no weapons against humans exceot for its venom, which can only kill a 30 pound animal. It is not such of a big threat to us, but the venom can cause swelling, sickness, and uncomfortableness. Some reasons humans might kill sidewinders are: By fright, by accident, or for money. The sidewinder provides snakeskin leather for boots, accesories, and anti venom for medical reasons/uses. |
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