Mayhew 1958 Journal. 84. May 17 Mojave Desert, San Bernardino Co., Calif. desert sand can kill a sidewinder. The surface temp. was 145°F. (air temp. 108°F.) when the snake was placed on the sand. Four and 1/2 minutes later, approximately, the snake was dead. Shortly after noon we started for Lucerne Valley again. Rudy Ruibal made some temperature readings while we were camped at Stoddard Well Road: 16 may 1958 6:30 P.M. (PDT) Air (1 meter above ground) 31°C. Surface 39 7 cm. deep 41 20 cm. deep 38 Sundown 7:30 P.M. Air 28 Surface 32 7 cm. deep 39 20 cm. deep 33 8:30 P.M. Air 23 Surface 22 7 cm. deep 36 20 cm. deep 31 17 May 1958 5:45 A.M. Air 16 Surface 17 7 cm. deep 27 20 cm. deep 27