Paradise Flying Snake

The paradise flying snake, also commonly known as the paradise tree snake, is a mildly venomous constrictor found throughout southeast Asia.

The most notable feature of the paradise flying snake is that, as its name suggests, it is capable of a sort of gliding flight. These snakes can jump from treetops and manipulate their bodies in such a way as to float maximum distances of just over 300 feet. Their slim-sized round bodies flatten out as they launch themselves from limbs down onto prey below. They are a type of mildly venomous constrictor who feeds mostly on very small animals.

5 Paradise Flying Snake Amazing Facts

1. Paradise Flying Snakes can glide over 100 yards.
2. Paradise tree snakes can control their fly by undulation.
3. Paradise flying snakes are both mildly venomous and a constrictor, who can swallow their prey whole.
4. Paradise tree snakes have a set of fixed rear fangs to inject venom instead of the front set venomous snakes normally have.
5. Paradise flying snakes are found in habitats across more than 10 countries.

Where To Find Them

The paradise tree snake habitat is moist and wooded. This snake enjoys the forests, coastal forests and coconut palm trees of Thailand , Cambodia , Indonesia , India , Malaysia , the Philippines , Singapore, and Bangladesh in Southeast Asia . They spend a lot of time in or around trees, as well as hiding in holes or under logs. They are likely to be in places where lizards and frogs are abundant, as those are their most common prey, and places where trees are somewhat closely gathered.

Scientific Name

The scientific name for the paradise flying snake is Chrysopelea paradisi. It is also known as the paradise tree snake, paradise gliding snake, and garden flying snake. “Paradisi” roughly translates in Latin and Greek to “park” which is likely where this snake was first discovered. The etymology of “Chrysopelea” is unknown, but refers generally to flying or gliding snakes. There are many species and subspecies which have been identified and then re-identified as something else or identified twice as separate species so that it is hard to distinguish which are the primary, true species, and subspecies.

History and Evolution

It is interesting to think about how a snake has been able to evolve into a glider. We often think of snakes slithering on the ground or dangling from a tree, but not this snake! It is actually only one of a handful of animals in the world that are capable of gliding.

The main thought on how and why this snake adapted the ability to glide is to avoid predators. You can not eat what you cannot catch! There also may be some clues to the evolution based on other animals that live near them, such as Flying Frogs and Gliding Lizards.

In flight, these snakes are able to expand their ribs to achieve twice the body width. This helps keep them aloft, as well as undulating to help steer towards their landing target. Furthermore, these reptiles perch into a “J” shape before springing off a high branch to get the most from their launch.

Population and Conservation Status

The paradise tree snake was assessed for the ICUN Red List in 2011 and found to be of Least Concern (LC). Their population, which spans several countries in Asia, is listed as stable. More assessment and study is likely needed, but they are not in danger at this time and their population appears abundant. These flying snakes have very common and readily available prey, they stay out of the way of most predators by virtue of their tree habitation and they are not very common in the pet trade, so as long as their habitat is somewhat protected, they remain out of danger of extinction.

Appearance and Description

A paradise flying snake is black and green or yellow, with diamond-shaped markings along their backs which are often orange or red in color. Their underbellies are usually solid greenish-yellow. Their heads have a series of horizontal black stripes and then the pattern changes at their neck. They have snubbed noses, and round black eyes, large compared to the size of their heads. The tail of a paradise tree snake is very thin compared to the rest of its body. They are only about two to four feet long in size and quite slim when not flying through the air. Females tend to be much larger than males of the species.

How Dangerous Are They?

The paradise tree snake has a relatively small mouth and only has fixed rear fangs and a mildly toxic venom, which means they do not pose much danger to humans. A few human finger bites have been reported, but no ill effects of the venom were reported. Such cases are extremely rare and would require a specific set of circumstances to occur. They also do not forcibly inject venom the way that species with front fangs do, instead, the venom is dripped into the wounds, making them less of a threat for anyone accidentally bitten.

Behavior and Humans

There are some people who keep paradise flying snakes as pets, however, this is only an activity for a highly experienced snake owner. They require treatment for parasites upon receipt since captive breeding is rare and most pets are wild-caught specimens. They also require a lot of floor space, careful humidity monitoring, a lot of height in their enclosures, and live feeding of lizards and frogs, both of which also periodically need to be treated against parasites. All in all, they are a difficult breed to keep as pets and are therefore only recommended for owners with a significant amount of training and knowledge in snake keeping.

1. Wikipedia, Available here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysopelea_paradisi
2. Ecology Asia, Available here: https://www.ecologyasia.com/verts/snakes/paradise_tree-snake.htm
3. Thai National Parks, Available here: https://www.thainationalparks.com/species/chrysopelea-paradisi
4. Wild Singapore, Available here: http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/vertebrates/snakes/paradisi.htm
5. Animals Mom, Available here: https://animals.mom.com/paradise-flying-snakes-6213.html
6. ABC7, Available here: https://abc7.com/flying-snakes-chrysopelea-paradisi-paradise-tree-snake/6288949/
7. NPR, Available here: https://www.npr.org/2020/06/29/884104072/how-snakes-fly-hint-its-not-on-a-plane
8. Britannica, Available here: https://www.britannica.com/animal/flying-snake
9. Bio Web (1970) http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2009/houk_step/Aerial Adaptations.htm
10. Community Morph Market, Available here: https://community.morphmarket.com/t/comprehensive-care-guide-for-paradise-flying-snakes-c-paradisi/15477