Mojave desert sidewinder, Crotalus cerastes cerastes, crawling on sand dune
1859-53seq.jpg
Mojave desert sidewinder or horned rattlesnake, Crotalus cerastes cerastes, Death Valley National Park, California. The sidewinder's unique method of locomotion allows it to move easily and quickly across fine wind-blown sand, where there's little or no traction. Since most of the snake's body is elevated -- it only touches the sand with a few inches of its body at any moment -- sidewinding can also help to prevent overheating. The sidewinder's "horns" shade its eyes from the desert sun.
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