The Paradise Flying Snake (Chrysopelea paradisi) is an arboreal colubrid snake known for its remarkable ability to glide between trees. It is slender, with a vibrant coloration of green, yellow, and black crossbands, sometimes with a reddish hue along the body or head. This species is found across Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. It primarily inhabits forested areas and feeds on small vertebrates such as lizards, birds, and bats.
Paradise Flying Snake
Chrysopelea paradisi
⚠️ Mildly venomous
Description
Venomous?
Mildly venomous. It possesses rear fangs and venom that is effective for subduing small prey but not harmful to humans.
A Danger to Humans?
Generally not aggressive and will flee when disturbed. It poses no significant danger to humans.
Population Size
Stable
Life Span
-
WEIGHT
30.5 g
LENGTH
700 mm – 1.5 m
Ar
Arboreal
Ca
Carnivore
Di
Diurnal
Classification
KINGDOM
:
Animalia
PHYLUM
:
Chordata
CLASS
:
Reptilia
ORDER
:
Squamata
FAMILY
:
Colubridae
GENUS
:
Chrysopelea
SPECIES
:
Chrysopelea paradisi
Distribution
On Bali known from plantation near Melaya, Jembrana, close to sea level and from Bali Barat National Park. Elsewhere occurs in various forest including mangrove and montane forest, agricultural areas and gardens, to 1500 m asl.
Geography
Continents : Asia
Country : Myanmar, southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, the Philippines, Sumatra, Java, Bali, Sulawesi and possibly the Andaman Islands
Habits and Lifestyle
Snakes of the Chrysopelea genus are the only limbless animals that glide throught air using their flattened bodies. It is likely that gap crossing between trees may have been the evolutionary reason for gliding in these snake.
Lifestyle
Arboreal and diurnal
Biome
Tropical Forest
Climate Zone
Tropical
Diet and Nutrition
Feeds mostly on lizards, but also on birds and small bats.
Diet : Carnivora
Mating Habits
Reproduction session : –
Incubation periods : –
Independent age : at birth
Baby name : –
Baby carrying : up to 8 eggs
Population
Population status : Least Concern (LC)
NE
DD
LC
NT
VU
EN
CR
EW
EX
Population threats
The are no major threats impacting this species globally, however, it may be at some localized risk in heavily deforested areas, such as parts of the Philippines.
Population number
Listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, presumed large population, it occurs in a number of protected areas, is tolerant of a degree of habitat modification, exists as an apparently stable population, and is not subject to any major threats.
PHOTO GALLERY
Reference
- Paradise Tree Snake on The IUCN Red List site
- Somaweera, R. 2017. A Naturalist’s Guide To The Reptiles and Amphibians of Bali. John Beaufoy Publishing, Oxford, England.
- McKay, J.L. 2006. Reptil and Amphibi di Bali. Krieger Publishing Company, Florida, USA.