Indholdsfortegnelse for October 2022 i Faces People, Places, and World Culture for Kids and Children

Many people’s first reaction to a snake might be fear or disgust, but snakes have been respected and revered (for good reason) for thousands of years. Here are five fassssscinating facts to get you started. 1 In many cultures, snakes were considered gods. Quetzalcoatl was one of the most important gods in Central American culture. He was a feathered serpent—a mix of bird and rattlesnake. The Aztecs considered Quetzalcoatl the god of wind and rain, learning, agriculture, and science. In their creation story, Quetzalcoatl and another god transformed themselves into snakes and ripped a giant sea monster in half. One part of the monster became the earth, the other the sky. 2 There are two main types of snakes, constrictors and venomous. A constrictor (boa and python) will…

Oh, I’m being eaten by a boa constrictor. . .Oh, gee, it’s up to my knee. . . Oh, fiddle, it’s up to my middle. . . Oh, dread, it’s upmmmmmmmmfff. . .—Shel Silverstein Throughout the ages, snakes have inspired poets and storytellers. From tales told around distant campfires, to drawings on cave walls, to writings on ancient tablets, snakes have been an important part of cultures around the world. So open your mind, let your inner reptile be your guide, and prepare to view snakes with a new respect. SNAKES AS FORCES FOR GOOD In many cultures, snakes were considered gods. Quetzalcoatl was one of the most important gods in Central American culture. He was a feathered serpent—a mix of bird and rattlesnake. The Aztecs considered Quetzlcoatl the god…

If you walk through the streets of any town in Thailand, you’re bound to meet at least one statue that looks like the snake version of a centaur. Don’t be frightened, though. This chimera of stone is, in fact, a depiction of Nāga (NAA-guh). What Are Nāgas? Nāgas are mythological beings. They are revered by followers of two religions—Hinduism and Buddhism—throughout South and Southeast Asia. The word Nāga means “serpent” or “snake” in the ancient Indian language Sanskrit. Indeed, many statues and paintings of these beings portray them only as snakes. With their flared hoods, these Nāgas look most like cobras. Other depictions, though, represent the Nāgas with human heads and snake-like bodies. Folklore claims that Nāgas live in a jewel-encrusted underground palace. These serpentine beings are also associated with…

Biggest, smallest, most colorful—slither up to these snake superlatives.…

Felting with wool is an old art form. Each strand of wool has tiny barbs along its shaft. When they are placed next to each other and rubbed, they stick together and form a fabric. You can make beautiful art pieces by felting different colors together on a flat surface, or you can felt fabric together to make three-dimensional objects such as small animals, flowers, or hats. One way to felt is called dry felting. In dry felting, the fibers are stuck together using a felting needle. Wet felting uses hot water and soap to fuse the fibers together. Here’s how to make a wet-felted snake. Materials: Two to three colors natural wool rovingPipe cleanersGoogly eyes or buttonsPlastic storage bagWarm waterOlive oil soap or dish soap Step 1: Forming the…

Pits Snakes also have “pits” on their heads that sense heat. This also helps them Find prey. Eyes Most snakes have eyes on the sides of their head. They can tell if something moves, but they cannot see clearly. Snakes do not have eyelids. Instead, a clear cap covers each eye, so a snake’s eyes are always open, even when it’s sleeping. Blood Snakes, like all reptiles, are ectothermic, or “coldblooded.” This does not mean they have cold blood. Their blood stays the same temperature as the air around them. They keep warm by lying in the sunlight or on warm rocks. Jaws Snakes do not chew their food. They swallow it whole by “unhooking” their loosely connected jaws. Fangs Poisonous snakes have hollow, pointed fangs in which they store…

Neon green with bright blue spots. Tan with brown triangles. Black and white racing stripes. Yellow and orange squiggles. Snakes’ skin comes in many colors and patterns for two reasons—to stand out and to blend in. Snakes don’t see well and may not see color at all. So, their beautiful skins are for camouflage or warning more than attracting other snakes. For example, the venomous coral snake has red, black, and yellow rings. Other non-venomous snakes copy the coral snake’s coloring. That fools predators so they’ll think twice about attacking. Some snakes match the background of their habitats: shades of green for leafy rainforests and brown for forest floors or deserts. Most white or yellow snakes are albinos and don’t live long in the wild. Whatever your favorite color or…

Able to leap tall trees in a single bound! Skilled at sliding over scorching sands! Capable of devouring food three times the size of its head in one bite!! Is it a bird? A plane? A super hero?! No, it’s a SNAKE! With more than 3,000 species in the world, snakes have some of the most amazing talents, rivaling the mightiest superheroes. But why be like a snake? The question should be, why not! Introducing Six Serpentine Superpowers! 1) Masters of Disguise “Now you see me. Now you don’t!” Snakes are rarely seen in their natural habitats. In fact, you’re more likely to hear one sliding through the underbrush than see it. They easily blend into their surroundings, whether it’s grasslands, marshes, rocks or water. Just try finding a Madagascar…

CRITTER CORNER The king cobra is royal in the snake world because it is the longest venomous (poisonous) snake in the world and can eat other cobras. It is famous for its fierce, dangerous nature. Here is a helpful checklist in case you ever meet one. How will I know it’s a king cobra? First, check your location. Are you in northern India, southern China, western Indonesia, or the Philippines? If so, take a look at the habitat. Do you see any forests, bamboo thickets, mangrove areas, or streams nearby? If the answer is a “yes,” what color is the snake? If it is black, dark green, or tan with yellow bands down the length of its body and a tan belly, start backing away. Finally, how long is it?…

The River Tonga people lived along the Zambezi River in south-central Africa for centuries, very isolated from the rest of the world. They believed that their river had a spirit god named Nyaminyami who watched over them. Tradition versus Progress Not too much is known about Nyaminyami. He was said to have the body of a snake and the head of a fish. He was kind to the Tonga people. Stories tell how, in difficult times, he came near the edge of the river and let the people cut off pieces of his flesh so they would not starve. The Tonga performed ceremonial dances for him to show their trust and reverence. Some wore his symbols to ward off evil and attract good. In the 1950s, the Tonga began to…

In ancient Greece, the world and the people in it were ruled by powerful gods and goddesses. Some were wise and benevolent, but others were violent and terrifying. People often pleased the gods for favors or protection, worshipping them and bringing gifts. The worst thing that a human could do was to anger the gods because the punishment could be horrifying. Even the gods and goddesses themselves were sometimes the victims of each other’s anger and revenge. The deities of ancient Greece included many monsters. Some of the most terrible and fierce were the Gorgons. There were three Gorgon sisters, daughters of the sea gods Phorcys and Ceto. The older sisters were Euryale and Stheno, and their little sister was Medusa. Medusa’s big sisters were extremely ugly and frightening to…