About:
Did you know female sidewinders are much larger than males? Learn more about sidewinders.
Care & Wellness:
For the sidewinder, we provide an annual light cycle that replicates the seasonal changes in daylight in the wild. The nocturnal hallway in Desert is also on a reverse light cycle meaning it is nighttime in the hall during the day.
Behavior:
- Often sit just under the sand, waiting to ambush prey.
- Named for their "sidewinding" form of locomotion.
- Sidewinders often bite and release venom into their prey, and then track it by scent.
Endangered Status
- Extinct in Wild (EW)
- Critically Endangered (CR)
- Endangered (EN)
- Vulnerable (VU)
- Near Threatened (NT)
- Least Concern (LC)
- Not Evaluated (NE)
Fun Facts:
- The track they leave in the sand resembles the letter "J" and the bottom of the J indicates travel direction.
- Their activity decreases in the cooler winter months.
- Bites from sidewinders are rarely fatal to humans, but should be attended to immediately.
- Females are much larger than males.
