The Flying snakes of Southeast Asia

Photo from: http://www.livescience.com/42958-how-flying-snake-glides.html

Are you scared of snakes? Then maybe this one will scare you more but at the same time will interest you. Scientists recently learned about the secret of flying snakes, particularly the Chrysopelea paradise or what is commonly known as Paradise snakes which is included in the five species of flying snakes around the world.

The Paradise snakes are mildly venous snakes with green and black color occasionally combined with red and orange touch. It has the ability to glide (not fly) to the air of about 30 meters high which enables it to escape potential predators and move to one place from another immediately. It is usually seen in the rain forests of Southeast Asia and South Asia including Philippines.

What’s unique about this snake is that it executes a “flat, flying saucer like cross-section shape” when gliding which in turn helps in the aerodynamics of the said animal. Scientists were primarily interested on how the shape of the snakes when gliding affects their aerodynamics. The researchers were led by Jake Socha from Virginia Tech which was funded by the Pentagon’s Defense Advanced research Projects Agency (Darpa).

Blogpost by: Hiedi Martinez

Reference:

Dunham, William. (2014) “Ophidiophobics beware: flying snakes have great aerodynamics”. Uk. Reuters. Com. Retrieved from: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/01/30/us-science-snakes-idUKBREA0T1SK20140130 on February 3, 2014
 

Ghose, Tia (2014). “Flying Snake Morphs into UFO Shape to Glide in Livescience.com.

Retrieved from: http://www.livescience.com/42958-how-flying-snake-glides.html on February 3, 2014.

Reuters. “Scientists learn secrets of fying snakes”. Philippine Daily Inquirer- February 1, 2013