Fictional “flying snakes” feature in famous games such as Dungeons and Dragons, Terraria and Pokémon where they occur in various forms, including a brightly winged serpent in a remote jungle, an enemy spawning in a temple and a creature moving through the ozone layer consuming meteoroids. These characters seem far-fetched but may have been partly inspired by the real deal.
Do flying snakes really exist?
Yes - sort of! In South Asia and the Indian archipelago, there are serpents that can glide up to 30m between trees. Snakes belonging to the Chrysopelea genus are the only limbless vertebrates capable of such a feat and are commonly referred to as flying snakes. Understandably we think they deserve a place on our weirdest snakes list
How do flying snakes “fly”?
Flying snakes “fly” by gliding from tree to tree using a unique form of movement. When preparing to launch, a snake climbs to a high branch before propelling itself off. Upon launching, it flattens its body by splaying its ribs, creating an aerodynamic shape.
Simultaneously, it undulates its body in an s-shape, which helps stabilise its flight and control direction. This combination of body flattening and undulating movement allows Chrysopeleato navigate through the air with surprising agility.
Why do they glide?
Chrysopelea species glide gracefully between trees in their forest habitats because it enables them to cover greater distances more efficiently than moving through branches or traversing the forest floor where they are more vulnerable to predators. “Flying” between trees allows them to escape predators in the canopy, explore new territory and hunt prey.
How fast do flying snakes 'fly'?
Their gliding speed is around 11m per second - pretty nippy
Do any other reptiles “fly”?
Draco lizards such as the common flying dragon (Draco volans) and related species, and gliding geckos (Ptychozoon species) can glide like flying snakes and use special adaptions to move between trees. Draco lizards rely on their elongated ribs and the folds of skin between their ribs that act like wings to move through the air.
Their slender tails are used to steer while aloft. Gliding geckos have flaps of skin on their body that function like a parachute when they jump from tree branches. Their webbed feet and flat tails also assist their flights over short distances.
Are there any venomous flying snakes?
Flying snakes are mildly venomous but are only a danger to their small prey. These diurnal serpents hunt lizards, birds, frogs, bats, mice and other rodents.
Where are flying snakes found?
Their range is Brunei Darussalam; Indonesia; Malaysia; Singapore; Thailand; Myanmar; India; the Philippines; Sri Lanka; Bangladesh; Bhutan; Cambodia; China; Lao People's Democratic Republic; Nepal and Vietnam. Flying snakes are predominantly arboreal, inhabiting tropical forests. Some species can also be found in more open or disturbed habitats, such as plantations or secondary forests, where they adapt well to the available tree cover.
How many flying snake species are there?
Flying snakes belong to the family Colubridae. There are five species: Chrysopelea ornate(ornate flying snake); Chrysopelea paradisi (garden flying snake); Chrysopelea pelias; Chrysopelea rhabdopleurid (Moluccan flying snake) and Chrysopelea taprobanica (Indian flying snake). According to the IUCN, three subspecies of Chrysopelea paradisi are recognised: Chrysopelea. p. paradisi (the form represented throughout most of its range), C. p. celebensis (endemic to Sulawesi) and C. p. variabilis (endemic to the Philippines).
How do they reproduce?
Not much is known about flying snake reproduction. These reptiles are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs. The clutch size varies but typically contains about five to eight eggs. Hatchlings emerge independent and ready to hunt.
What is their conservation status?
All five species of Chrysopelea are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN with the population trend unknown for Chrysopelea pelias, stable for the garden flying snake, ornate flying snake and Moluccan flying snake, and decreasing for the Indian flying snake. The latter is very rare in India and widespread in Sri Lanka with declining populations. It is threatened by logging, development and persecution in both of its range countries.
What do flying snakes look like?
Flying snakes have a flattened head with large eyes. Their body is slender with ribs that flex (to flatten body when gliding)
They are brightly coloured (for camouflage in forest habitat)
How big are flying snakes?
Flying snakes are up to 120cm long (varies depending on species)
How long do flying snakes live?
Their lifespan is around 10 years in captivity (unknown in the wild)
Is it true flying snakes inspired robotics?
Yes. A nature physics study used motion capture technology to reveal that undulation is vital for gliding in flying snakes. Nature interviewed co-author Isaac Yeaton, research engineer at The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, regarding his research and advances in robotics. “There’s already been inspiration for borrowing snake undulation and translating that into robots, and that's enabled those robots to move on sand or to swim or even move through really rough environments,” he says. “We think that potentially you could use what we've found out about aerial undulation and translate that over into the snake robot to have a successful glide.”
Discover more fascinating snake facts and species
- What's the world's fastest snake?
- Snake performs cartwheels to escape from danger
- The deadliest snakes in the world: Meet the world's most venomous snakes and their lethal bite
