Tuesday, 17 May 2011

Why Mexican beans jump

By Calep Jordan


Many people ask "why do Mexican jumping beans jump?" Here is the reason for why they are so, it is because it is only in few small areas they are found in Mexico and they jumping bean is called as hopper or brincadore. During the spring season, female moth will lay eggs on the flowers of Sebastiana Pavoniana tree. On the host flowers you can see the bean or small pod which has grown from the stage of worms after many weeks when the eggs hatched. Now the bean or pod will harden slowly and moth larva that lives inside will start to feed on the pod's interior. 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. They "jump" as a way of surviving. This enables them to bounce to a cooler place to avoid the heat and the sun. Finally after many months, larva will become inactive and it will begin to spin cocoon inside pod. Now after this stage is complete the metamorphosis begins where the moth emerges from pod through one small hole. This is really amazing.

Next comes about how to care and store the Mexican jumping beans. When stored in a cool dark environment, they will remain dormant. But they must not be exposed to freezing temperatures; they cannot survive freezing temperatures. If the jumping beans are exposed to warmth or sunlight they will again start to jump.

It is also very important to soak the jumping beans once in every 4 or 5 weeks in non- chlorinated water for 4 to 6 hours. Since the chlorinated water kills jumping beans it must be avoided. You can also store the jumping beans in butter compartment of the refrigerator when you want them to be quire or when not playing with them. There they will remain dormant and quiet. However, be careful they don't freeze. Some refrigerators are set to be colder than others.

Where to find the Mexican jumping beans? The Mexican jumping beans are sent in some small containers with few beans in every container. The jumping beans are usually sent in small clear plastic boxes with hinge and this will help to release them easily and start playing.

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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