Have fun with your new snake.
Here are some other snake facts:
* Snakes are reptiles.
* Lizards are their cousins.
* Some snakes play dead when they are scared.
* Some snakes have poisonous fangs.
* Snakes swallow their food without chewing.
* Some snakes eat eggs, and later they spit out the shells.
* All snakes can swim.
* The flying snake of India glides from tree to tree.
* Snakes can shed their skins, and have a new skin underneath.
* Snakes taste and smell by flicking their tongues.
* Some snakes have skins that look like leaves and rocks. That helps them hide from eagles who are looking for a snake snack. It also helps snakes sneak up on mice they want to eat.
* Snakes move without the help of arms or legs. They twist from side to side.
* Snakes' body temperatures change with the temperature of their surroundings. When they are cold, they move slowly. To warm up, they bask in a sunny spot.
From Crayola Kids magazine, April 1994