snake

Everyday

1. A long reptile with no legs that moves by sliding along the ground; some have a poisonous (venomous) bite. tree →
2. A person who cannot be trusted (insult). tree →
3. Verb: to move or lie in long bends: «The path snaked up the hill». tree →

In the lessons

In science: snakes are cold-blooded reptiles with scales; they shed their skin, smell with their tongues, swallow prey whole; some are venomous, like rattlesnakes (USA) and brown snakes (Australia); Ireland and New Zealand have no wild snakes. In safety: leave snakes alone, stand still or back away slowly, never pick one up, wear boots in long grass, tell an adult; get help fast after a bite. Games: snakes and ladders. Phrases: snake bite, venomous snake, snakes and ladders, a snake in the grass.

Examples

• A snake has no legs. tree →
• Snakes smell with their tongues. tree →
• If you see a snake, back away slowly. tree →
• Never try to pick up a snake. tree →
• Australia has many venomous snakes. tree →
• There are no wild snakes in Ireland. tree →
• We played snakes and ladders. tree →
• The queue snaked around the corner. tree →
• Then said the Snake, "Come forth, Ivanushka! tree →

Note

Countable: snakes. Venomous (poison you through a bite) is the correct word for most dangerous snakes, though people often say «poisonous». Myth: snakes are not slimy — their skin is dry. Myth: you should not suck out venom; keep still and get help.

In Jewish tradition

Jacob's blessing compares the tribe of Dan to a snake that bites from the path. In the primary lessons: In science: snakes are cold-blooded reptiles with scales; they shed their skin, smell with their tongues, swallow prey whole; some are venomous, like rattlesnakes (USA) and brown snakes (Australia); Ireland and New Zealand have no wild snakes. In safety: leave snakes alone, stand still or back away slowly, never pick one up, wear boots in long grass, tell an adult; get help fast after a bite. Games: snakes and ladders. Phrases: snake bite, venomous snake, snakes and ladders, a snake in the grass.

Examples

• Dan shall be a serpent in the way, a horned snake in the path, that biteth the horse's heels, so that his rider falleth backward. (Torah GEN.49.17, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable: snakes. Venomous (poison you through a bite) is the correct word for most dangerous snakes, though people often say «poisonous». Myth: snakes are not slimy — their skin is dry. Myth: you should not suck out venom; keep still and get help.