"Most snakes wriggle from side to side
in a wavy motion. Some snakes are
SUPER - SPEEDY, especially in water.
But on land, big, fat snakes like Frank
slowly creep forward by rhythmically
squeezing, pushing and lifting belly
muscles all along their body, sort of
like a caterpillar. His large belly
scales help grip the ground as he
moves forward."
A new book by Rachel Poliquin offers a humorous, well-researched look at trying to be friends with a python. It is narrated by Celeste, a classy Madagascar hissing cockroach. Because of her history of survival, she feels uniquely equipped to provide a guide for readers in taking a walk with Frank, a 300-pound reticulated python.
She needs a companion for Frank, and chooses a young, hesitant boy. She is very aware that it is a tricky business she is suggesting. But Celeste wants the boy (and readers) to believe that she has all the answers for a successful excursion. In a series of steps, beginning with the type of python chosen, Celeste brings up numerous scenarios to help survive the promenade. As she moves from point to point, she shares expert knowledge concerning pythons: anatomy, camouflage, movement, size, methods of attack ... the list goes on. After offering a bunch of 'bad ideas', she ends with a 'good' one. She suggests that a snack might prevent being eaten by a ravenous python. That plan goes awry!
Fun and full of pertinent facts for those with an interest in the mighty python, there is lots to learn here while also being entertained and enlightened. Kathryn Durst's illustrations are as goofy as the premise for the story, while also including graphs that are practical and useful.
"At night, animal bodies can be much hotter
than the cooler air. And when that happens,
Frank can "see" the heat of an animal's body.
Not with his eyes but with a row of tiny holes
on his face called HEAT PITS.
Heat pits work like NIGHT-VISION GOGGLES
and let Frank see animal heat even in pitch-black
darkness."
Did you know that?
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