Words that start with S

Six slippery snakes sailed southward on a silver ship to Sydney.

Sis forSnail

Snails can be found on land and in the water, both freshwater and the sea. A snail without a shell is called a slug. Snails range in size from smaller than your little fingernail to a sea snail that can grow to 30 inches long. The biggest land snail is only grows to 12 inches long. They come in a wide variety of colours and patterns. Snails have a pair of eyes on stalks and a pair of feelers below them, to stop it bumping into things. It can suck both its feelers and eyes into its body for safety, and it can hide in its shell if it is disturbed. Snails have one foot that they "walk" with. They eat by scraping the top layer of their food with their tongue, which is covered in tiny sharp teeth. If you listen hard to a snail when it is eating, you can hear it scraping.

Sis forSnake

Snakes are a type of reptile that has no legs. They come in many colours and patterns, and some kinds of snake can grow to be several metres long. Snakes jaws do not lock open like ours do, but can open a huge way. They can swallow small animals that are much bigger than their heads. Snakes only need to eat every few days. Some snakes are very poisonous and can kill a person in one bite. Other snakes kill their prey by wrapping themselves around it and suffocating it. You should always be careful around snakes. Some kinds of non-venomous snake are sold as pets, but often a special license is needed and pet snakes should still be treated with care as they might eat other household pets and have been known to kill very small children.
Scientific name: Sansevieria trifasciata
Snake plant is also called viper's bowstring hemp, mother-in-law's tongue or Saint George's sword. It is a very hardy plant, and spreads by growing below the ground and then sending up new leaves.

Sis forSnap

Snap means to make a loud noise using your fingers. People often snap to hurry someone. It might also mean to break something long and thin, like snapping a twig.
Scientific name: antirrhinum majus
Snapdragons are an old-fashioned flower. The flower can be squeezed to make it open like a dragon's mouth, which is why they are called snapdragons. They should be planted in well-drained soil in full sun. They can be planted at any time of year, and take about 8-10 weeks to flower. They come in a big range of colours, but shades of pink and white are most common.
Snarling is something an animal does when it is angry or feels threatened. It usually shows its teeth and makes a low, rough growling sound. Dogs and other animals snarl to say "do not come closer" or "I might bite."

Sis forSneeze

A sneeze is a sudden explosion of air from your nose and mouth. You usually sneeze if something tickles the inside of your nose, or if you have a cold. It is a good idea to cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze, like the man in the picture. A lot of mucous can come out when you sneeze and can travel a long way. If you are sick, you can make other people sick by sneezing near them.

Sis forSniff

You sniff when you suck air in through your nose in short bursts. You also sniff things so you can smell them.

Sis forSniper

A sniper is someone who can shoot a target from a very long distance away, from a concealed position.

Sis forSnooker

Snooker is a game of billiards where a player tries to shoot colored balls into the pockets of a billiard table in order.