Fun Flying Snake Facts For Kids
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Have you heard of a flying snake? Of course, you have. Do they actually exist? Do they really fly?
Flying snakes exist. Flying snake comes from the Chrysopelea genus and also known as gliding snakes. They have mild venom and are usually found in the regions of Southeast Asia. A flying snake cannot actually fly high but are gliders that glide through the air. There are some special characteristics of these snakes.
Do you wish to know more about these snakes that can be found on a paradise tree? Here are some fun, engaging, and interesting facts on flying snakes that will make you more curious about them. Afterward, do check our other articles on northern pine snake and Cape file snake.
Flying Snake Interesting Facts
What type of animal is a flying snake?
A flying snake is a snake that belongs to the Chrysopelea genus. It is also known as a gliding snake.
A flying snake uses an aerobatic method to escape from its predators and to move from one tree to another by gliding through the air. They are widely spread across the regions of south and Southeast Asia.
Research from Jake Socha established that a flying snake has the ability to alter the body shape which helps them with their ability to glide through the air. The paradise tree snake (Chrysopelea paradisi) is one of the common species of flying snake.
What class of animal does a flying snake belong to?
A flying snake is a snake that belongs to the reptilian class. It comes under the Squamata order of the Colubridae family. A flying snake belongs to the Chrysopelea genus and there are mainly five flying snake species under the genus such as the paradise tree snake (Chrysopelea paradisi).
How many flying snakes are there in the world?
There are five species of flying snake. There is no accurate or rough estimate of the total number of flying snakes in the world. Their population is stable.
Where does a flying snake live?
A flying snake usually lives in the jungles and forests of south and Southeast Asia. It is usually found in India, Sri Lanka, and southernmost China. It is also seen in mainland Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.
What is a flying snake's habitat?
A flying snake usually lives in a variety of habitats – jungles, woodlands, and forests, and sometimes can be seen in gardens and parks. It can be spread across South and Southeast Asia. It is known for gliding from tree to tree through the air.
Who do flying snakes live with?
Flying snakes prefer to live as solitary even though they are known to be social if required, as explained by Jake Socha.
How long does a flying snake live?
A flying snake has an average lifespan of 10 years while living in the wilderness.
How do they reproduce?
The breeding habits of flying snakes are believed to be the same as that of other snakes. The mating usually takes place in the month of June. Flying snakes are oviparous. The females lay around 6-12 elongated eggs.
What is their conservation status?
The flying snake is listed as the Least Concern species by the IUCN. There are five species of flying snakes and the population of all the subspecies is believed to be stable.
Flying Snake Fun Facts
What do flying snakes look like?
A flying snake is a snake that belongs to the Chrysopelea genus. They are mostly green in color and sometimes other species have red or yellow.
An adult flying snake has solid yellow color scales on its belly. It has a spot of red scales on its forehead as well as on its back.
It has a very long tail and its slender body will get flattened when it glides from trees. Research conducted by Professor Jake Socha proved that a flying snake can change the shape of its body which helps it to glide in the air.
How cute are they?
A flying snake is known for its gliding ability from tree to tree in the air. It does not appear to be cute in appearance.
How do they communicate?
Snakes communicate with each other using pheromones.
How big is a flying snake?
The flying snake or gliding snake has a length of 24-48 in (61-122 cm). The largest species of the Chrysopelea genus is the golden tree snake (Chrysopelea ornata).
How fast can a flying snake move?
Flying snakes move at a speed of 25 mph (40 kph) through the air and only remain for a few seconds in the air. The motion of flying snakes was analyzed by Isaac Yeaton and his colleagues with the help of high-speed cameras by tracking the glides.
How much does a flying snake weigh?
On an average scale, a flying snake weighs around 1-2.2 lb (0.4-1 kg).
What are the male and female names of the species?
As a flying snake is a snake, it comes under the Chrysopelea genus. Both male and female flying snakes do not have any specific name and are simply called a snake.
What would you call a baby flying snake?
A baby flying snake is called a hatchling or a snakelet.
What do they eat?
Flying snakes are carnivores. Their diet includes lizards, rodents, bats, frogs, and birds. They do not have any known predators.
Are they poisonous?
The flying snake is mildly venomous. This venom can affect small prey. Flying snakes are known to bite humans as well if they feel threatened.
Would they make a good pet?
Flying snakes are not suitable for keeping a pet. Some are aggressive and need special humid conditions which help them to practice flying. The paradise tree snake is common in the pet trade.
Did you know...
The largest species of flying snake, the golden tree snake, can grow up to 4 ft (122 m) but has a poor gliding ability due to its large size. The best glider among flying snakes is the paradise tree snake.
Do flying snakes really exist?
Flying snakes don't actually fly but they glide with the help of ridge scales. They glide through the air at a speed of 25 mph (40 kph) from tree to tree. It turns into a J-shaped bend before flinging itself to another branch. These snakes glide just like flying squirrels.
How far can flying snakes glide?
Flying snakes can glide up to 78 ft (24 m) without losing control. The paradise tree snake is the best glider, whereas, the golden tree snake is the worst glider.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other reptiles from our Burmese python facts and sea snake facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable flying snake coloring pages.
Flying Snake Facts
What Did They Prey On?
Lizards, rodents, bats, frogs, and birdsWhat Type of Animal were they?
CarnivoresAverage Litter Size?
6-12 eggsHow Much Did They Weigh?
1-2.2 lb (0.4-1 kg)What habitat Do they Live In?
forests, woodlands, gardensWhere Do They Live?
southeast asia (china, india, and sri lanka)How Long Were They?
24-48 in (61-122 cm)How Tall Were They?
N/AClass
ReptiliaGenus
ChrysopeleaFamily
ColubridaeScientific Name
ChrysopeleaWhat Do They Look Like?
Round body with a concave C-shapeSkin Type
ScalesWhat Are Their Main Threats?
birds of preyWhat is their Conservation Status?
Least Concern
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