Snake cube

The snake cube is a mechanical puzzle, a chain of 27 or 64 cubelets, connected by an elastic band running through them.

The band runs straight through certain cubes, but bends 90° in others, creating a specific sequence of straight and bent connections.

The aim of the puzzle is to arrange the chain in such a way that they will form a 3×3×3 or 4×4×4 cube.

While all commercially available 3×3×3 cubes appear to be identical in terms of the sequence of straight and bent connections, and have only one solution (up to symmetry), at least two different 4×4×4 cubes are sold, both having four unique solutions.

It can be made up of wood or plastic and can vary in colour, material and size.

The 27-cube snake cube puzzle laid flat (top) and packed into a 3×3×3 cube (bottom, exploded view ) – cubelets with straight holes are outlined [ 1 ]
Variant : from wooden cube to puzzle man.