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Sidewinders (Crotalus cerastes) are small rattlesnakes with an unusual mode of locomotion, small 'horns' over their eyes, and a preference for sandy or pebbly areas in southwestern deserts. We encountered the youngster (right) -- which had only one rattle segment and hence could not make any noise -- as it crossed a road near Bishop, California just after sunset. It was a very lively and personable little snake that could move surprisingly quickly with its characteristic sidewinding gait. The other snake, an adult, was in Anza-Borrego State Park; it is giving a threat display with elaborate stereotyped tongue movements: up, then down, then in. |
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