To capture this remarkable Sidewinder adder, we had first to find it. Not an easy task. We searched in the bushes right beside the dunes until we found a snake buried in the sand. Of course, it got out when it saw us. This adder is a fast-moving snake. Not easy to capture. It is quite small in size, particularly when you try to catch up to it on your knees to get some photographs.
Sidewinder Adder is sidewinding over a dune in the desert. Its common names are Peringuey’s Adder, Dwarf Puff Adder, and also the Namib dwarf sand adder. Undoubtedly, that reptile is a venomous viper species. It leaves s-shaped tracks in the sand and has a careful camouflage. To regulate their body temperature, they hide in bushes and mouse holes. It buries itself just beneath the surface in the sand to ambush its prey. Only its eyes and the tip of its tail exposed. Very hard to see! The snake lies waiting for any passing victim. As soon as this happens, the adder attacks to envenomate its’ prey. The snakes’ diet includes lizards and geckos. They hydrate from the moister they get from their prey, and they sometimes drink the water drops off plant leaves.
Sidewinder Adder, Bitis peringueyi, is in the list of the IUCN on the least concern. So far, their population is stable.
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Andrea –
Beautifully patterned snake!
Anette Mossbacher –
They are so small and pretty fast to dig themselves into the sand. Thank you, Andrea.