Natural History Wanderings

Ornate Flying Snake, Chrysopelea ornata (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

How about Gliding Snakes?

National Geographic had an article on “flying snakes”.  Although no snake can really fly, there are species that are able to glide up to 100 meters between trees riding air currents.  Gliding snakes belong to the genus Chrysopelea.  One species, the Twin-barred tree snake or banded flying snake, Chrysopelea pelia is only two feet long, is relatively rare and is probably the best “flyer”. The Golden tree snake or Ornate flying snake, Chysolpelea ornata is the largest flying snake at 4 feet but is probably the weakest “flyer” of the group. To learn more read the National Geographic article:  How Snakes Can “Fly”