DianSheng 36 Blocks Hollow Snake

DianSheng 36 Blocks Hollow Snake

DianSheng 36 Blocks Hollow Snake is a magic snake puzzle made of 36 segments shaped like triangular prisms. The segments are linked together, and each one rotates relative to its neighbour. This lets you turn a single chain into a ball, animals, letters, geometric shapes and many other figures. The Hollow version has openwork segments with cut-outs, which give it a different look from a snake with solid sides.

How a magic snake works

Unlike a 3x3 cube, the snake has no single "solved" state. The idea is to create figures: you rotate one segment after another until you get the shape you came up with or found in a pattern. A simple figure takes just a few minutes. More complex ones require you to plan your moves ahead and think in three dimensions. That's why this snake works well as a toy for kids, but also as something for adults to keep their hands busy.

Why 36 segments?

DianSheng makes the Hollow Snake in several lengths: 24, 36, 48, 60 and 72 segments. The best known is the classic 24-segment version. The 36 version has 50% more pieces, so you can build bigger and more elaborate figures. Still, it isn't as long or as hard to master as the 60- or 72-segment models. Laid out in a straight line, it is approx. 63 cm long and weighs approx. 110 g.

Colour versions

• Mixed color has segments in different colours.
• Macaron comes in lighter, pastel colours.

Both versions have the same shape and number of segments. They differ only in colour.

Who is it for?

A great pick for a simple gift or a first puzzle other than a cube. The Hollow Snake doesn't require any algorithms, so it's a good fit for kids and for people who don't solve cubes. Cubers often buy it as an addition to their collection or as a "stress-relief" puzzle with no timer involved.

Specifications

• Type: magic snake puzzle, Hollow version with openwork segments
• Manufacturer: DianSheng
• Number of segments: 36
• Length when unfolded: approx. 63 cm
• Weight: approx. 110 g
• Dimensions: 7.7 x 7.7 x 1.7 cm
• Colour variants: Mixed color, Macaron