Are There Really Snakes That Can Fly?
Jordan Lidstrom: Physics 1090
“The image of airborne snakes may seem like the stuff of nightmares (or a certain Hollywood movie), but in the jungles of South and Southeast Asia
it is reality“ (National Geographic, 2011). The topic of flying snakes is one that is briefly mentioned in the book titled The Flying Circus of Physics
and is one that causes the reader to find themselves interested in learning more on the subject. Flying snakes are a type of animal with five different
subspecies who all use the art of flying through the air with their uniquely formed bodies to travel from tree to tree, elude predators, and capture their
prey. The characteristic of these snakes shall be elaborated on in the four following reliable articles and websites: “Borneo’s Wild Gliders“, “Slithering
Through the Air“, National Geographic’s “Flying Snake“, and the flyingsnake.org website.
According to National Geographic:
The article by National Geographic discusses how snakes used be thought to be parachuters rather than gliders, but recent studies help to elaborate on
the technique of how these snakes actually takes flight. “To prepare for take-off, a flying snake will slither to the end of a brance and dangle in a J
shape. It propels itself from the branch with the lower half of its bosy, forms quickly into an S, and flattens to about twice its normal width, giving its
normally round body a concave C shape, which can trap air“ ( National Geographic, 2011). These snakes then undulate in the air in order to direct their flight
path. This similar flying pattern is mentioned in later articles.
According to “Borneo's Wild Gliders“:
In “Borneo’s Wild Gliders“ author Tim Laman, a twenty-year wildlife photographer and field biologist from Harvard Univeristy, discusses the various types
of flying creatures in Southeast Asia. The flying snake is mentioned among these creatures, as well as the flying dragon lizard (or draco lizard), the flying
gecko, flying frog, giant flying squirrel, and the flying lemur. While there are flying animals in Asia, Africa, and South America, the area with the highest
number of areal creatures is Asia by far (with 60 different species). Laman discusses the possibility or unlikelihood of the various hypotheses for why there is
such an abundance of flying animals in this region. The first hypothesis is that the need for these animals to fly is due to the fact that there are so many
tall trees in this region. Laman states “While higher launching points seem to offer gliders an advantage, gluding species are found throughout Southeast Asia,
even in areas with relatively short forest. Gliders [also] often take odd from the middle of tree trunks with some specializing in lower levels of the forest“
(Laman, 2008).
The second theory Laman mentions is the theory that the lack of woody vines called lianas provide less connections for the animals, hence the need to fly.
This was again disproved when Lama observed the number of lianas in the areas and found them to vary based on location, which should not attribute to a need for
flight. Laman’s hypothesis is that the reason they fly in because they live in a region with trees that provide little fruit and therefore disrupt food chains.
He believes these animals use their flight skills to because they “must range more widely to find food than do species in other rain forests, and gliding is an
ideal way to travel from tree to tree without having to make long, potentially risky trips to the ground“ (Laman).
All of the other sites found concerning these flying snakes held similar beliefs that this unique flying technique was based on food, but they
also elaborated on how this could also be a way for them to escape predators as well. In the studies conducted by Jake Socha, on the flying snake home page website,
states that “In general animals glide for one of the following reasons: efficient vertical travel (it takes less energy to glide to a tree next to yours than to climb
down, then back up), quick vertical travel, to chase prey, or to escape a predator. The snakes I’ve worked with perform the best when they're trying to get away from
me“ (2003). These snakes also use their undulating skills to climb up trees, “surprisingly quickly“ as Socha says. Although these snakes are very interesting, it would
be of the best interest for any observer to maintain a safe distance. These snakes are venomous, although only slightly. The snake?s fangs are located in the back of
the jaw and the worst reaction to be noted was a swollen finger; however, these snakes are very prone to bite so caution is advised. To check out various videos of these
flying snakes, click here!
According to “Slithering Through the Air“
The article “Slithering Through the Air“ is an article that discusses a group of researchers who went to various parts of Asia to conduct a study
on these paradise tree snakes and their flight techniques. These snakes travel in a steep angle and undulate from side to side. “The results published shoe not only that
flying snakes are surprisingly good aviators but also they employ some complex aerodynamic tricks“ (Slithering through the air, 2010). By flying with their heads angled
upward in a 25 degree angle, the snakes are employing a technique that gives them an aerodynamic advantage. These snakes are also able to turn in mid-air. This was proven
when Dr. Socha of the “Slithering through the air“ article limited the snakes view from their takeoff point. Dr. Socha then could see that the snakes, once airborn, were
able to turn to guide their paths.
In conclusion
After reading all of these articles it’s plain to see that the answer to the question of “Are there really snakes that can fly?“ the answer is obviously
yes! These animals have very unique techniques of flying with multiple possibilities of why they choose to fly. Next step is to go see the real thing in the forests of Asia!