Snakes are able to move sideways, also known as lateral undulation, by using a unique method of locomotion. Sidewinding is one of the fours ways by which snakes propel themselves forward. The other three forms of snake locomotion are rectilinear, concertina, and serpentine. Here is the 7 types of snakes that move sideways,
Snakes That Move Sideways
1. Saharan Horned Viper
Saharan Horned Viper is venomous snake species native to northern Africa and parts of the Arabian Peninsula and Levant. The snake species can be easily identified with the help of a pair of supraocular “horns”, however, there are species without horns also occur in nature. The length of the adult snake is between 30 to 60 cm and they can move sidewinding by which they press their weight into the sand or soil, leaving whole-body impressions. The Ava age lifespan of saharan horned viper is between 15 to 18 yellow years in the wild. It is also listed as one of the snakes with horns in the world.
Image Source: Wikipedia
2. Mojave Sidewinder
Mojave Sidewinder also known as sidewinder or horned rattlesnake rattlesnake is one of the snakes that move sideways that belongs to the genus Crotalus (the rattlesnakes). They are mostly seen in the desert regions of North America. Talking about the experience, the color pattern is these snakes comes in cream, buff, yellowish-brown, pink, or ash gray and they are subelliptical in shape. The length of the snake can grow between 43 to 80 cm and average wieght is between 93.8 to 304 grams. The primary diet consist of lizards, snakes, and birds. Juveniles prefer to hunt lizards.
Image Source: Gilaman
3. Namib Desert Sidewinding Adder
Namib Desert Sidewinding Adder also known as Bitis peringueyi or Peringuey’s adder or Peringuey’s desert adder or sidewinding adder is a venomous snake mostly seen in the Namibia and southern Angola. As of now, no subspecies has been currently recognised. This is a small snake with a length of between 20 to 25 cm, however, maximum recorded length is upto 32 cm (13 in). The primary diet of Namib Desert Sidewinding Adder includes lizards Meroles, and the barking gecko Ptenopus.
Image Source: Wikmedia
4. Arabian Horned Viper
Arabian Horned Viper also known as desert horned viper or Middle Eastern horned viper is a species of the subfamily Viperinae of the family Viperidae. The snake species native to to the Arabian Peninsula[2] and north to Israel, Iraq, and Iran. The snake species looks similar in appearance to C. cerastes, however, geographic ranges of these two species do not overlap. The avarage length of snake species is between 30 to 60 cm, however, maximum recorded length will go upto 85 cm (33 in). Female species are usually larger than males. The primary diet consist of odents, with insects, particularly beetles, and lizards.
Image Source: Wikipedia
5. Sahara Sand Viper
The Sahara snad viper scientific name is Cerastes vipera is a venomous viper species that belongs to family Viperidae. The avarage length is between 20 to 50 cm and when threatened it will readily stand its ground an form a C-shaped coils that rub together and produce a rasping or crackling sound. The avarage lifespan of sahara sand viper is upto 18 years in the wild. Talking about the appearance, they are small and stout snakes that have a broad, and triangular head with small eyes.
Image Source: Alexandre
6. Boomslang snake
Boomslang snake is one of the snakes that move sideways that belongs to family Colubridae. This is one of the highly venomous snakes from Africa and can reach a maximum size of around two metres in length. Talking about the appearance, they have noticeable large eyes, giving them binocular and colour vision and the scales are rough with a strong ridge down the centre of each scale which is known as keels. The avarage lifespan of Boomslang snake is upto 8 years in the wild. The primary diet includes chameleons and other arboreal lizards, frogs, and occasionally small mammals, birds, and eggs from nesting birds. It is also listed as one of the deadliest snakes in the world.
These are the list of snakes that move sideways. Kindly share and do post your comments.
