Paradise flying snake
Paradise tree snake (Chrysopelea paradisi) is a species of snake found in southeastern Asia. It can, like all species of its genus Chrysopelea, glide by stretching the body into a flattened strip using its ribs. It is mostly found in moist forests and can cover a horizontal distance of 10 meters or more in a glide from the top of a tree. Their gliding ability is considered one of the best among the flying snakes. These snakes are mildly venomous with rear fangs and also can constrict their prey.
Paradise tree snakes have black bodies covered in rich green scales. Clusters of red, orange, and yellow-colored scales in the shape of flower petals line the dorsal area from the base of the neck to the tail. This is the most well-known coloration, but some specimens may exhibit fully green coloration without any bright dorsal markings.
These snakes are found in Thailand (incl. Phuket), Cambodia, Indonesia (Bangka, Belitung, Java, Mentawai Archipelago, Natuna Archipelago, Nias, Riau Archipelago, Sumatra, We, Borneo, Sulawesi), Brunei Darussalam; India (Andaman Islands), Malaysia (Malaya and East Malaysia), Myanmar (Burma), Philippine Islands (including Sulu Archipelago, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Panay, Luzon) and Singapore. They inhabit lowland and montane tropical moist forests, plantations, villages, and rural gardens.
Paradise tree snakes are diurnal creatures that prefer to be on their own. They are arboreal and spend most of their time in trees. These snakes have a unique ability to glide from tree to tree. This ability is called kinematic and is different compared to other animals with gliding or flight because these snakes are cylindrical and do not have limbs such as legs or wings. Paradise tree snakes climb using ridge scales along their bellies, pushing against the rough bark of tree trunks, allowing them to move vertically up a tree. Upon reaching the end of a branch, they continue moving until their tail dangles from the end of the branch. They then make a J-shape bend, and lean forward to select the level of inclination they wish to use to control their glide path, as well as selecting a desired landing area. Once they decide on a destination, they propel themselves by thrusting their body up and away from the tree, sucking in their abdomen and flaring out their ribs to turn the body into a "pseudo concave wing", all the while making a continual serpentine motion of lateral undulation parallel to the ground to stabilize their direction in midair in order to land safely. The combination of forming a C-shape, flattening its abdomen, and making a motion of lateral undulation in the air makes it possible for these snakes to glide in the air, where they also manage to save energy compared to travel on the ground and dodge earth-bound predators.
Paradise tree snakes are carnivores and they typically prey on tree-dwelling lizards and bats.
Little is known about the reproductive habits of these snakes. They are oviparous and usually lay 5 to 11 eggs.
There are no major threats to this species at present.
According to IUCN Red List, the Paradise tree snake is common throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.
