Mary Pope Osborne - Magic Tree House Fact Tracker #23: Snakes and Other Reptiles: A Nonfiction Companion to Magic Tree House #45: A Crazy Day with Cobras

When I write Magic Tree House adventures, I love including facts about the times and places Jack and Annie visit. But when readers finish these adventures, I want them to learn even more. So thats why my husband, Will, and my sister, Natalie Pope Boyce, and I write a series of nonfiction books that are companions to the fiction titles in the Magic Tree House series. We call these books Fact Trackers because we love to track the facts! Whether were researching dinosaurs, pyramids, Pilgrims, sea monsters, or cobras, were always amazed at how wondrous and surprising the real world is. We want you to experience the same wonder we doso get out your pencils and notebooks and hit the trail with us. You can be a Magic Tree House Fact Tracker, too!

They are so good. I cant wait for the next one. All I can say for now is prepare to be amazed! Alexander N.

I have read every Magic Tree House book there is. The [Fact Trackers] are a thrilling way to get more information about the special events in the story. John R.

These are fascinating nonfiction books that enhance the magical time-traveling adventures of Jack and Annie. I love these books, especially American Revolution. I was learning so much, and I didnt even know it! Tori Beth S.

[They] are an excellent behind-the-scenes look at what the [Magic Tree House fiction] has started in your imagination! You cant buy one without the other; they are such a complement to one another. Erika N., mom

Magic Tree House [Fact Trackers] took my children on a journey from Frog Creek, Pennsylvania, to so many significant historical events! The detailed manuals are a remarkable addition to the classic fiction Magic Tree House books we adore! Jenny S., mom

[They] are very useful tools in my classroom, as they allow for students to be part of the planning process. Together, we find facts in the [Fact Trackers] to extend the learning introduced in the fictional companions. Researching and planning classroom activities, such as our class Olympics based on facts found in Ancient Greece and the Olympics, help create a genuine love for learning! Paula H., teacher

Text copyright 2011 by Mary Pope Osborne and Natalie Pope Boyce
Illustrations copyright 2011 by Sal Murdocca
Cover photograph copyright Tim Laman/National Geographic Stock

All rights reserved. Published in the United States by Random House Childrens Books, a division of Random House, Inc., New York. Originally published by Random House Childrens Books, New York, in 2011.

Random House and the colophon are registered trademarks and A Stepping Stone Book and the colophon are trademarks of Random House, Inc. Magic Tree House is a registered trademark of Mary Pope Osborne; used under license.

The Magic Tree House Fact Tracker series was formerly known as the Magic Tree House Research Guide series.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Osborne, Mary Pope.
Snakes and other reptiles / by Mary Pope Osborne and Natalie Pope Boyce ; illustrated by Sal Murdocca.
p. cm. (Magic tree house fact tracker)
Includes index.
A nonfiction companion to Magic Tree House #45: A Crazy Day with Cobras.
eISBN: 978-0-307-97553-9
1. SnakesJuvenile literature. 2. ReptilesJuvenile literature. I. Boyce, Natalie Pope. II. Murdocca, Sal, ill. III. Osborne, Mary Pope. Crazy day with cobras. IV. Title. V. Series.
QL666.O6 2011 597.9dc22 2011009614

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v3.1

For everyone working to save sea turtles and all other endangered animals

Scientific Consultant:

CLYDE PEELING, Director, Clyde Peelings Reptiland, Allenwood, Pennsylvania

Education Consultant:

HEIDI JOHNSON, Earth Science and Paleontology, Lowell Junior High School, Bisbee, Arizona

Very special thanks to the folks at Random House who help us so much: Gloria Cheng; Mallory Loehr; Chelsea Eberly, our excellent photo researcher; Sal Murdocca, our great artist; and as always, special thanks to our editor, Diane Landolf.

Reptiles have been on earth for millions of years. There are many thousands of kinds, or species (SPEE-sheez), of reptiles. They include snakes, crocodilians, lizards, turtles, and birds. Alligators, gharials, crocodiles, and caimans make up the crocodilian group.

Reptiles come in all shapes, colors, and sizes. Some, like saltwater crocodiles, can weigh over 2,000 pounds. Others, like dwarf gecko lizards, are less than an inch long.

Saltwater crocs are the largest of all living reptiles.

There are reptiles on every continent. They live on land and in water. Some live in the steamy rain forests. Others live in deserts, in oceans, and in the treetops. There are even reptiles living in your backyard.

Modern reptiles are related to reptiles that lived millions of years ago. These included dinosaurs, snakes, crocodiles, and flying creatures as big as cars. Most early reptiles became extinct.

Many dinosaurs became extinct about 65 million years ago.

Those that survived slowly changed into the reptiles we know today. Even though they may not all look and behave alike, reptiles have many things in common.