Snakes are found in many parts of the world. They can slither through vegetation and climb trees. Some can even move across desert sand by a process called sidewinding. This process is different from the normal way in which a snake moves. Snakes usually move their bodies by sending a series of waves down from the head. These push backwards against the ground and send the snake forwards. In sidewinding the snake sends waves down its body but also holds its body like a coiled spring so that it rolls across the sand. The combination of rolling and sending waves along the body moves the snake forwards.

In North American deserts there is a snake called the sidewinder because of the way it moves but snakes in other deserts such as the puff adder in Africa use sidewinding to move across the sand.

Sidewinders spend the heat of the day in a mouse burrow, under a bush or buried in the sand. At night they come out to feed on mice, kangaroo rats and lizards. The puff adder gets its name from the way it puffs out air to make a loud warning hiss if it is disturbed. Puff adders eat rats, mice and lizards but may be eaten by birds of prey.