sidewinder

Everyday

1. A small rattlesnake from the deserts of the south-western USA and Mexico that moves sideways by throwing its body in loops across the sand. tree →
2. Any snake that moves this way (some vipers in African deserts do too). tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons about deserts and animal movement, sidewinding lets a snake move on loose, hot sand with only small parts of its body touching the ground, leaving J-shaped tracks. The sidewinder has little horns above its eyes. Phrases: «sidewinder rattlesnake», «sidewinding».

Examples

• The sidewinder moved sideways across the hot sand. tree →
• Sidewinders leave J-shaped tracks in the desert. tree →
• Only a little of the sidewinder's body touches the sand at once. tree →
• The sidewinder is a small rattlesnake. tree →
• Sidewinders hunt lizards and mice at night. tree →
• Never go near a rattlesnake, even a small one. tree →

Note

Countable. Related: «sidewind» (verb, rare), «sidewinding». Safety: the sidewinder is venomous — keep away and tell an adult. Also the name of a missile, but children rarely need that.