Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes)
Snakes · Difficulty: Expert
Key facts and care guidance for Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes) (origin: The deserts of the south-western USA and northern Mexico). Adult size around 50–80 cm. Life expectancy 15–20 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Sidewinder: How big does the enclosure need to be?
From 120×60×60 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, rattlesnakes).
Sidewinder: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 26–34 °C, basking spot 38–42 °C, at night 16–20 °C.
Sidewinder: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: UVB recommended.
Sidewinder: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 15–20 years.
Sidewinder: Is it suitable for beginners?
No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 26–34 °C
- Night temperature
- 16–20 °C
- Basking spot
- 38–42 °C
- Humidity
- 20–35 %
- UVB
- UVB recommended
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- from 120×60×60 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, rattlesnakes)
- Substrate
- Deep, fine dune sand for burying (10–15 cm)
Feeding
- Food
- Small frozen-thawed mice
- Feeding interval
- adults every 10–14 days
Key facts
- Adult size
- 50–80 cm
- Life expectancy
- 15–20 years
- Origin
- The deserts of the south-western USA and northern Mexico
- Protection status
- VENOMOUS – a dangerous animal; a permit or notification is required, varying by German state
- Brumation
- A cooler rest of 8–10 weeks
- Cohabitation
- Keep them singly. Snakes are solitary and do not seek company — a shared hide is competition for the best spot, not social behaviour. The concrete reason is the feeding accident: if two animals grab the same food item, one can swallow the other along with it. On top of that, once they are kept together you can no longer tell which animal has eaten and which is losing weight. For breeding, put them together under supervision and separate them again afterwards.
Notes
It moves sideways over loose sand and buries itself by day. It needs real sand, not coir substrate, and a strong temperature gradient.
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Related species
- Eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) – Expert
- Ridge-nosed rattlesnake (Crotalus willardi) – Expert
- Mojave rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus) – Expert
- Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) – Expert
- Red diamond rattlesnake (Crotalus ruber) – Expert
- Neotropical rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus) – Expert
- Black-tailed rattlesnake (Crotalus molossus) – Expert
- Western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) – Expert
What you need to start
To keep Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 120×60×60 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, rattlesnakes)), substrate (Deep, fine dune sand for burying (10–15 cm)), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.
The complete, interactive care database is in the Reptoria app.
Last updated: 9 October 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crotalus_cerastes, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Crotalus&species=cerastes
All values are non-binding guidance and do not replace expert advice. Research thoroughly from several sources before acquiring and keeping an animal, and observe the applicable law (species and animal protection in particular).