Which coloration trait helps the sand viper blend into the desert floor?
Answer
Sandy, brownish, or grayish tones with irregular crossbands
The appearance of the sand viper is perfectly engineered for crypsis within its sandy habitat. Adults exhibit a primary coloration palette consisting of sandy, brownish, or grayish tones that mimic the color of the desert floor. This base color is often overlaid with dark, irregular crossbands. This combination of color and the texture provided by the keeled scales allows the snake to disappear when lying still against the desert substrate. Furthermore, the subtle mottling pattern on many individuals closely matches the grain size of the local dunes, making detailed visual identification difficult unless the animal is in motion.
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