Physical and Behavioral Adaptations:
- Hibernate in crevices of rocky ledges for the winter
- Come out of hibernation in April when it warms up
- Hunt at night (it’s not as hot out)
- Are cold-blooded so rely on external sources to regulate body temperature
- When they get too hot they’ll return to their burrows for shade
- When they get too cold they’ll sun themselves or find a surface (paved road) and absorb the heat from it
- Are pit vipers meaning they have a heat sensing pit located behind each nostril that can detect differences in temperature (helps determine predator from prey)
- Perform very little activity