Most snakes live on the ground. They move on their stomachs(腹部). Some snakes can swim, and some snakes can fly, but many snakes can climb trees.

Snakes use two things to climb trees. They use their bodies. They push hard against the tree. It is very difficult for them to do, and they take a long time. They are not very fast climbers.

Snakes also use their scales. Scales are small, hard pieces on a snake's skin. Some snake scales are smooth(光滑的) and flat. Other snake scales are not smooth. They are rough. Scales that are rough can stick to tree bark(树皮), so the snake can hold(抓住) on better.

Snakes only climb trees to eat eggs and small animals.

Baloo the bear, Leo the Lion and Shere Khan the tiger have the most unusual and unlikely friendship between them. They were saved eight years ago, when they were cubs only two months old.

They were first sent to a rescue（救护）center, where they were raised together. Now they are in an American zoo. Because they came here as a kind of family, the zoo built a large clubhouse so that they could all sleep in it.

Now they have grown up. You can see them playing around like brothers. The three big animals seem to no sense(意识) of their animal differences.

Baloo and Shere Khan are very close. That is because they rise early, as Leo being a lion likes to spend most the day sleeping. When Leo wakes up the three of them mess around for most of the day before they settle down to some food. It is wonderful to see a giant American Black Bear put his arm around a Bengal tiger and then to see the tiger touch the bear with his nose lightly like a pet cat. You can often see they lie on top of each other for heat and for love.

“They are not wild animals any more. But you must remember who you are dealing with when you are with them,” said one of the zoo keepers.