Identificaciones de boniadelman

A friend in the Coachella Valley sent me this photo for I.D. This sidewinder rattlesnake had been resting behind a large potted plant on her front porch. She called animal control and was told they would relocate it to somewhere safer. Across the street from this housing development (Sun City Palm Desert) is a large sand dune preserve called the Coachella Valley Preserve where there are many Sidewinders. We often seen their "J" shaped tracks in the sand.

Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes), A.k.a. horned rattlesnake and sidewinder rattlesnake, is a venomous pit viper. It is found in the desert regions of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Prominent horn over each eye is characteristic of sidewinders.

The common name sidewinder alludes to its unusual form of locomotion, which is thought to give it traction on windblown desert sand, but this peculiar locomotor specialization is used on any substrate over which the sidewinder can move rapidly. As its body progresses over loose sand, it forms a letter J-shaped impression, with the tip of the hook pointing in the direction of travel.

Rattlesnakes are typically described as poisonous, but they are actually venomous. A poisonous snake is one that is harmful to eat. A venomous snake injects dangerous venom into its victim.

Rattlesnakes are important members of the natural community. They will not attack, but if disturbed or cornered, they will defend themselves. Reasonable watchfulness should be sufficient to avoid snakebite. Give them distance and respect.

Rattlesnakes are also among the most reasonable forms of dangerous wildlife: their first line of defense is to remain motionless; if you surprise them or cut off their retreat, they offer an audio warning; if you get too close, they head for cover. Venom is intended for prey so they're reluctant to bite, and 25 to 50 percent of all bites are dry - no venom is injected." Leslie Anthony. Snakebit: Confessions of a Herpetologist. Greystone Books, 2008.

Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of California https://californiaherps.com/noncal/southwest/swsnakes/pages/c.c.cercobombus.html for ssp. rangemap