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New Kids App Provides Poisonous Snakes at the Touch of a Button

London, 16 May 2011

Poisonous Adders, venomous Cobras and deadly Boa Constrictors will all be brought to life by a new educational mobile app released today (16 May) on iTunes.
The Snakes app, developed by Encyclopædia Britannica, is aimed at children aged 8 – 12 and charts human understanding of the reptile, from the oldest recorded fossils 120 million years ago to the modern day eight-metre long Reticulated Python.
The app has been developed from Britannica’s expert and curriculum-based content, which is specifically designed to help children with homework, projects and exams and to increase their understanding the wider natural world.
The app also includes exclusive Britannica content on:
  • The complete A-Z of snake species
  • Snake habitats
  • The deadly characteristics of snakes
  • How humans and snakes interact
  • The lifecycle of snakes
Snakes is priced at £4.99, and is packed with facts, interactive features, quizzes and games. It is available for download on the iPod touch, iPhone and iPad.
Ian Grant, Managing Director of Encyclopædia Britannica UK, said: “Educational apps are a great way for parents and children to discover the wider natural world together. Our recent research reveals just how much parents value educational apps as learning devices and we’re proud to be at the forefront of developing exciting and educational content.”
“We’re delighted to release Snakes as part of our extensive Britannica Apps series and as part of our on-going commitment to providing engaging content which is enjoyed by all of our users”
Snakes is the latest in a series of informative and educational mobile apps developed by Britannica. Other titles in the series include Volcanoes, Dinosaurs, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Rome, the Aztec Empire, Solar Systems and Rainforests.
Each app is themed around an individual national curriculum topic and are available on www.britannica.co.uk/apps.
Top Ten Snake Facts:
  1. Snakes are reptiles, closely related to lizards
  2. There are more than 2,000 species of snake in the world
  3. The oldest known fossil of a snake is 120 million years old; though scientists believe they are older
  4. Most snakes only have one lung
  5. The longest snake is the reticulated python, which can grow up to 8 metres long
  6. All snakes are meat-eaters
  7. All snakes can swim, though many never come across open water
  8. Some snakes can spit venom up to a distance of two metres
  9. The maximum life expectancy of snakes is unknown; in captivity they can live as long as 30 years
  10. Snakes can control how much venom they inject when they bite

Notes to editors:

About Encyclopædia Britannica
Britannica was founded in Edinburgh in 1768 at the height of the period of European history known as the “Enlightenment”. Its aim was to publish clear, current and correct information, based on a scientific approach to knowledge.
It is the most comprehensive and oldest continuously published reference work in the English language and is revered worldwide for its editorial integrity. Britannica strives to help its users become confident global citizens, by delivering expert and up-to-date knowledge and being global leaders in providing a source for life-long learning.
Encycloppædia Britannica (UK) Ltd is a subsidiary of Encycloppædia Britannica Inc. who are leading providers of learning and knowledge products. Britannica is proud to be one of the world's most trusted sources of information.
In 2011 Encyclopædia Britannica was named as one of the UK’s most respected brands in the annual Consumer Superbrand Survey. Britannica was one of only eight media reference companies to make the top 500 brands in the UK and was the only one to be listed in the top 50.
About Britannica Online & Mobile:
Today Encyclopædia Britannica has a larger and more diverse line of online and mobile products than ever before. Our outlook is shaped by our tradition of excellence and an understanding of what knowledge seekers need in the digital age.
In 2002 Britannica introduced Britannica Online School Edition, a comprehensive reference and education service specially designed for primary and secondary schools. It has undergone several significant upgrades in the years since.
In 2006 Britannica introduced Britannica Online Public Library Edition, delivering three products in one, including separate home pages for adults, students, and children. The product allows libraries to tailor the product to their patrons' needs.
In 2011 Britannica launched six titles in a series of educational mobile applications for children. The Ancient Romans, Ancient Egypt, Solar System, Volcanoes, Rainforests and Dinosaurs apps will be followed by a further 60 project-based programmes later in the year.
Image Quest was launched in January 2011 to provide one million digital images to universities, colleges and schools. Fully rights-cleared for educational use, Image Quest brings together collections from the National Geographic, Getty Images, and Oxford Scientific and many others, into an easy-to-use online portal.
Britannica's Online Academic Edition delivers relevant, web-based content for further and higher education. It is continuously updated, revised and developed with new articles, allowing its users to research confidently with expert information and a host of research tools designed to support advanced study.
For further information about Britannica and its products, please visit: http://www.britannica.co.uk/
Follow Britannica on Twitter: @Britannica_UK
Britannica Flickr Feed: www.flickr.com/photos/britannica_image_quest/

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CONTACT:

For further information, please contact:
Eoghan Hughes
PR Manager
Encyclopædia Britannica
(0044) (0)20 7500 7800
ehughes@britannica.co.uk