How to Make a Clay Anaconda Snake
Anacondas are the largest snake in the animal kingdom and in the world. Anacondas can reach a length of 29 feet and weigh over 500 pounds. Unlike other snakes, they don't kill with a venomous bite, but rather they wrap their enormous body around their victims and squeeze them until they asphyxiate. These dangerous and formidable snakes provide a fascinating and educational subject for clay representations.
Things You'll Need
- Swamp green polymer clay
- Utility knife
- Piece of mesh fabric
- Acrylic paint: black, yellow or green
- Paper plate
- Detailed brush
Instructions
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Look at photos of anacondas on websites like National Geographic or Extreme Science. Determine how big you want your anaconda to be when coiled up and scoop out a block of clay the same size. Go large or keep it small. If you want your anaconda no bigger than a fist when coiled, grab an amount of clay the size of your hand.
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2
Roll your clay out between your hands, making it into a thick, cord-like shape. Roll the cord or rope-like shape back and forth against a flat surface until the shape becomes even throughout.
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3
Make the head and tail ends of your anaconda slightly narrower than the rest of the body by squeezing the clay at the ends together and lengthening them. Shape the head end of your anaconda so that it tapers. Poke the edge of your utility knife into either side of the head to create the slits of the eyes and a slight slit for the mouth.
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4
Wrap a long piece of mesh fabric around the snake and gently press the mesh pattern into your clay snake to create the scales. Position your snake in the position you want; coiled, arched, curved or stretched long.
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Set your snake in the baking tray, and bake for 15 to 20 minutes at 270 degrees Fahrenheit, or as directed by the instructions on your package of polymer clay. Allow it to cool.
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6
Squeeze black and yellow acrylic paint onto a paper plate, and dip your brush in it. Paint diamonds or spots on the anaconda. Use green and black for a South American green anaconda. Let the paint dry overnight.
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References
- Photo Credit Tom Brakefield/Stockbyte/Getty Images
