Snake 

Snake: the magic snake puzzle for building shapes

The snake, also called the magic snake or Rubik's Snake, is a puzzle made of connected segments shaped like triangular prisms. Each segment rotates against its neighbor, so a single chain can be turned into a ball, an animal, a geometric figure or a shape of your own. The first snake had 24 pieces. It was invented in 1981 by Ernő Rubik, the creator of the Rubik's Cube.

Unlike cubes, a snake has no single "solved" state. Speed doesn't matter here. What counts is spatial imagination and patience. That makes it a great fidget puzzle, a gift for a child or a break from speedcubing practice.

How many segments should you choose?

This category features snakes with 24 to 108 segments. There is also a Mini version.

• 24 segments is the classic size, the same as the original. It's all you need to get started, and there are more shape patterns for this version than for any other.
• 36 and 48 segments let you build bigger and more detailed shapes. They're a good next step if you already know the basic shapes from the 24-segment version.
• 60, 72, 96 and 108 segments are long chains for large constructions. Every extra piece gives you more possibilities, but building and taking apart a shape also takes more time.

QiYi, MoYu, DianSheng snakes and other versions

Most models in this category are QiYi, MoYu and DianSheng snakes. Each of these brands makes snakes in several lengths, so it's easy to get the same series in a bigger size. Besides the classic multicolor versions, there are also Transparent variants with see-through segments and Hollow variants with hollowed-out pieces. The range is completed by YJ, LanLan and Monster Go models.

The GAN Magnetic Magic Snake clearly stands out. Its segments connect with magnets and can be detached. This means you can split the snake into shorter parts or join them in a different combination, which a traditional snake doesn't allow. It's a choice for those who already know the classic version and want something different. If you're buying your first snake, a regular 24- or 36-segment model is all you need.