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Sidewinder

Reptiles

Crotalus cerastes, commonly known as the sidewinder, the horned rattlesnake or the sidewinder rattlesnake, is a species of pit viper native to the desert regions of the southwestern United States and adjacent northwestern Mexico. It is a venomous snake in the subfamily Crotalinae of the family Viperidae, and three subspecies are recognized as valid.

Facts
Classification
Diet
Carnivore 1
System (Realm)
Terrestrial 2
Relationship to People
Venomous or Dangerous to Humans 3
Living or Extinct
Yes 3
Derived from this species' own Conservation Status: this atlas's IUCN category list has no Extinct value, so a set conservation-status is itself evidence of living status.
Partially Attested
Distinguishing Appearance
Small pit viper, adults 43 to 80 cm (17 to 31.5 in) in total length 3
Source gives adult length only, not markings or horns.
Comparison
NatureServe Rank
G5 Secure 4
CITES Appendix
Not Listed 1
Scientific Name
Crotalus cerastes 3
Conservation Status
Least Concern 3
Connections

Child Taxon Of

Crotalus, Taxa
Source Wikidata: Sidewinder

In Biome

Desert, Biomes
Source Wikipedia: Crotalus cerastes

In Ecosystem

Mojave Desert, Ecosystems
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Crotalus cerastes
Sonoran Desert, Ecosystems
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Crotalus cerastes
In the Other Atlases

Found In

Mexico

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

North America

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Sources
1. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Crotalus cerastes
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology
  • Primary Diet, Crotalus cerastes
    Primary Diet carnivore carnivore
  • Conservation Status: CITES
    CITES No special status
  • In Ecosystem: Mojave Desert, Geographic Range
    Sidewinder rattlesnakes ( Crotalus cerastes ) inhabit the southwest corner of the United States of America, extending as far west as the Mojave Desert in southern California and as far east as the Sonoran Desert in Arizona.
  • In Ecosystem: Sonoran Desert, Geographic Range
    Sidewinder rattlesnakes ( Crotalus cerastes ) inhabit the southwest corner of the United States of America, extending as far west as the Mojave Desert in southern California and as far east as the Sonoran Desert in Arizona.
View the Source
2. Crotalus cerastes (Wikipedia)
native to desert regions of the Southwestern United StatesView the Source
3. Wikipedia: Crotalus cerastes
  • Lead, sentence 1
    Crotalus cerastes, also known commonly as the horned rattlesnake, the sidewinder, and the sidewinder rattlesnake, is a species of pit viper
  • Article body, IUCN classification sentence
    The species Crotalus cerastes is classified as least concern on the IUCN Red List (v3.1, 2001).
  • Article body, size sentence
    adult specimens of Crotalus cerastes measure between 43 and 80 cm (17 and 31.5 in) in total length (tail included)
  • Venom: effect on humans
    Crotalus cerastes is venomous, but possesses a weaker venom than many other rattlesnakes.
  • In Biome: Desert, Wikipedia intro: "per, a venomous snake in the subfamily Crotalinae of the family Viperidae. The species is native to desert regions of the Southwestern United States and adjacen..."
View the Source
4. NatureServe Explorer: Crotalus cerastes
NatureServe ExplorerGlobal rank (roundedGRank)
Quote, Global rank (roundedGRank)
"roundedGRank": "G5"
View the Source
Wikidata: Sidewinder
  • Wikidata Q1366532, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)
  • Child Taxon Of: Crotalus, Wikidata P171 (parent taxon) claim, rank=normal, target=Q463637 (Crotalus)
View the Source
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