sidewinding

Sidewinding is a unique method of locomotion used by certain snakes, particularly those inhabiting desert environments. This technique allows snakes to move efficiently over loose sand where other forms of movement would be ineffective.123

In sidewinding, the snake lifts sections of its body and moves them sideways, creating a series of loops. Only two points of the snake's body are in contact with the ground at any given time, minimizing contact with hot sand and preventing overheating. This motion results in a characteristic j-shaped trail in the sand. While the body moves in sinuous curves, the overall progression is sideways relative to the snake's orientation. This method is crucial for snakes like the sidewinder rattlesnake (Crotalus cerastes) and Old World vipers of the genus Cerastes.132