Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Beans can jump i bet yo didnt know this

By Calep Jordan


It has been asked by many people about "why do Mexican jumping beans jump?" Well, here is why! They are found only in a few small areas of Mexico, where a jumping bean is known as a "brincadore"; or "hopper". During the spring season, female moth will lay eggs on the flowers of Sebastiana Pavoniana tree. And after many weeks, the eggs will hatch from which small worm insect will grow in to pod or called as bean of host flower. The pod or "bean" slowly hardens and the moth larva which is now living inside begins to feed on the interior of the pod. When spring rain begins, the bean or pod that has moth larva inside falls to ground and it then begins to jump and bounce on ground. As the way of surviving, the pod or bean will jump. In order to avoid sun or heat they jump in such a way that they move to some cool place. The larva will try to spin the cocoon inside pod, after many months when it goes dormant. After this stage is over metamorphosis will begin and through the small hole the moth will enlarge from the pod. This is incredible.

Here comes the next process about how to care and store the Mexican jumping beans. When stored in a cool dark environment, they will remain dormant. And at the same time they should not be exposed to very cold temperature because they find it difficult to survive at freezing temperature. If the jumping beans are exposed to warmth or sunlight they will again start to jump.

It is also equally important to soak the jumping beans in the non chlorinated water for about 4 to 6 hours once in every 4 to 5 weeks of time. This is because the chlorinated water may kill them. When not playing with your beans or when you would like them to remain quiet, they can be stored in the butter compartment of your refrigerator. There the jumping beans may remain quite or dormant. It is essential to take care that they are not freezing. Some refrigerators are set to be colder than others.

Where can you find Mexican jumping beans? Jumping beans are usually sent out in small containers with a few beans in each container. Clear plastic boxes are used for sending with hinge, therefore it makes it possible to release jumping beans in your hand and play.

Sometimes, they also include a racing game sheet so you can have races against one another. On the reverse side of the game sheet is educational information about Mexican jumping beans and how to care for them; to keep them jumping for many months?




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