During the heat of summer, what time period dictates the activity of *Crotalus oreganus*?
Answer
Primarily nocturnal or crepuscular
The activity schedule for the *Crotalus oreganus* complex undergoes a significant temporal shift during the summer months when ambient temperatures are highest across much of its range. To avoid overheating during the peak intensity of the day, the snakes transition to being primarily active after sunset (nocturnal) or during the twilight periods of dawn and dusk (crepuscular). While they may be observed basking during the milder morning hours, intense midday heat forces a retreat into cooler crevices, brush, or mammal burrows, a behavioral adaptation crucial for thermal homeostasis in warmer conditions.
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