About Animal Facts Common Name: Sidewinder Scientific Name: Crotalus cerastes 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. Diet: Carnivore Weight: 8 oz Length: 18 in Life Span: 20 yrs Number of Young: 8-12 eggs Habitats: Desert Rocky Areas Shrubland 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. Endangered Status Endangered Status Extinct in Wild (EW) Critically Endangered (CR) Endangered (EN) Vulnerable (VU) Near Threatened (NT) Least Concern (LC) Not Evaluated (NE) Care and 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.