Ornate Flying Snake
MILDLY VENOMOUS
Chrysopelea ornata(Shaw, 1802)
At hatching 114-200mm (5-8in)
Adults 1000mm (39 in) Maximum 1750mm (69 in)
Description
A long and slender snake with elongated head; neck distinct; snout much depressed, broadly truncated; eyes large with round pupil; prominent lateral keels on the ventrals.
Colour very variable, greenish yellow back with a series of large orange or red vertebral spots alternate with black bands; head black with yellow bars and sometimes spots: belly lemon yellow.
Scalation
Scales in 17:17: 15 rows, smooth or weakly keeled. Ventrals 207-230, with sharp, notched lateral keel: subcaudals 120-138, paired (India, Sri Lanka). Ventrals 213-234, with sharp, notched lateral keel; subcaudals 110-138. paired (S. E. Asia). Anal and last ventral divided. Frontal bell-shaped: preocular 1: postoculars 2: temporals 2+2; usually 9 supralabials (4 to 6 touching eye).
Diurnal. Though arboreal, sometimes seen on low bushes or in grass. Does not fly: glides by extending ribs and pulling in underside (to slow its descent like a parachute). Virtually swims through the air and can glide a distance of 100m (330ft). Climbs remarkably well, aided by notched angular belly scales. Feeds on frogs, geckos, lizards, small birds and even bats! Grooved, enlarged rear teeth help the slightly toxic saliva enter its prey. Lays 6-12 elongate eggs in June-July.
Distribution
India: forested hills of the Southwest (south of the Goa Gap): Bihar; Orissa: West Bengal: forests of Northeast India; possibly Maharashtra and Gujarat. Also Sri Lanka, Nepal, China, Myanmar and Bangladesh.
Look alikes
None in India.
indian snake
 | Snake | WildKeeda){kind=link}