There are 200 different snake species in Thailand, on Thailandblog we describe a number of species. Today the flying boomslang (Chrysoplea ornata) this is a non-venomous snake from the family wrath snakes (Colubridae) and the subfamily Ahaetuliinae.
The scientific name of the species was first proposed by George Shaw in 1802. The scientific name Coluber Ornatus was originally used.
The species is divided into two subspecies. A third subspecies was formerly recognised, Chrysoplea ornata sinhaleya, but this is considered obsolete:
- Chrysoplea ornata ornata Shaw, 1802 : India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, China and the Philippines.
- Chrysoplea ornata ornatissima Werner, 1925
The flying tree snake (Chrysoplea ornata) is a special and fascinating snake that is mainly found in Southeast Asia. This snake, which belongs to the Colubridae family, is known for its unique ability to "glide" through the air from tree to tree. While the term "flying" snake is somewhat misleading since the animal doesn't actually fly like a bird, its ability to soar through the air is an impressive evolutionary trait.
To "fly" from tree to tree, the snake launches itself from a high branch and spreads its ribs, widening its body and creating a kind of parachute effect. This allows the snake to glide through the air, with distances of up to 30 meters. This ability allows the snake to quickly escape predators, approach other snakes for mating, or simply expand its territory.
Chrysoplea ornata is an arboreal snake that lives mainly in tropical rainforests. It spends most of its time in the trees, where it hunts small animals such as lizards, bats, birds and rodents. The snake is also able to “walk” short distances on water by propelling its body in an undulating motion.
The flying snake is a slender species and has green skin with black pointed scales. The body length is one to 1,3 meters. The head is relatively narrow, the eyes are relatively large. The fangs are at the back of the mouth. The male can be distinguished from a female by the thicker and longer tail.
The flying snake lives in trees, the food of this active hunter consists of small mammals, birds, lizards and frogs, which are stunned by a powerful bite. The animal regularly rests in trees, but always remains alert for possible prey. This species is poisonous, but the bite is not really dangerous for humans. This snake glides by spreading its ribs to make its ventral side broad and hollow. When threatened, it can launch itself from a high point to escape. If this fails, the animal will not hesitate to bite.
A clutch usually consists of six to fourteen eggs, which are deposited in soil, litter or rotting wood. Newborn young have a length of fifteen to twenty centimeters.
This species is found in South and Southeast Asia in tropical rainforests and parks and gardens. The species occurs naturally in the countries of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, China and the Philippines.
The snake is considered mildly venomous, with no confirmed cases of medically significant envenomation. The animal is not considered dangerous to humans.
The flying boomslang is a fascinating and unique member of the snake world. The ability to glide through the air is a perfect example of how evolution has led to the development of special abilities for survival in the complex and diverse ecosystems of our planet.
Special features and characteristics of the flying boomslang (Chrysoplea ornata)
- Name in Thai: งูเขียวพระอินทร์, ngu khiao phra in
- Name in English: Golden Tree Snake
- Scientific name: Chrysoplea ornata, George Shaw, 1802
- Is found in: India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, China and the Philippines.
- Habitat: In trees
- Nutrition: Small mammals, birds, lizards and frogs.
- Toxic to humans: No.
Encountered this snake several times
On the beach on Koh samui one crawled under me after it fell out of a coconut tree while cutting the leaves and nuts.. You get a little shock when he crawls past your face but otherwise I think you're more afraid of you than you should be for him are
In the evening on the beach on an uninhabited Thai island near Lankawi, we were surprised by a snake. That evening we had a BBQ on the beach. The wife of the captain of our sailing ship had laid a sheet on the beach. Then she was on a board cutting the vegetables. Suddenly she shouted 'snake snake' in fright. It was one of those black and white checkered ones that I had encountered in the sea earlier that day while snorkeling. It struck me that the snake meant no harm at all. He was more shocked by the panicky attitude of our 6 person group. An English boy wanted to pierce the snake with a long two-pronged fork, which he had clamped in his fist as if it were a dagger and was already poised over the snake. The five of us shouted 'Simon, don't do it!'. Luckily he didn't sting the beast. The snake crawled under a tree trunk that Simon was sitting on. He didn't get out of there for the rest of the night. That log was the only thing we could sit on on that beach. No one dared to do that for the rest of the evening.
So stupid to want to kill the snake right away! Indeed, they prefer to quickly move away from a confrontation with humans.
Good for you calling that Simon to order!
This snake came to us relaxed and also left extremely relaxed. In other countries I have witnessed the slaughter of snakes (Australia, Brazil 2x and Suriname). In retrospect, I thought it was unnecessary. They were not aggressive at all. And they didn't even seem that scared of us.
It will only be stressful when you come across King Browns, Cobras, vipers, rattlesnakes and black mambas. Then you have to get out of here. Ha ha.
You say black and white checkered and you also saw this snake in the sea, then I think you are talking about the Sea Krait Snake, this snake is very poisonous and cannot be compared to the boomslang above.
This green boy was the first snake I ever encountered in Thailand in the XNUMXs. Mrs. Oy yelled that there was a hose under the mother-in-law's sink, and wouldn't do any more dishwashing duties until someone removed it.
That 'someone' turned out to be the boy next door, because at the time I was not yet able to distinguish a Python from a Gardena garden hose. He managed to get the critter out the back door with a long stick, to the relief of all.
After which I assumed that the snake was cheerfully released again in Isan nature. All's well that ends well.
Only to see the flattened snake lying behind the house the next morning, crumpled, tongue sticking out and completely dead.
Found it sad, especially when I later found out that they are pretty harmless creatures for humans
According to the books, their bite can be compared to a wasp sting, or milder.
Have removed several of these specimens from mother-in-law's house over the years, but let them go further down the rice fields.
Always get the impression that many Thai see snakes as vermin, poisonous or not, and immediately use heavy guns to drive out the intruder.
Running out with a big baseball bat when it might be the Salvation Army ringing the doorbell, that's kind of the bottom line.
In these tropical countries knows the dangers of snakes and bites of all kinds of animals. They take certainty over uncertainty. They will one day let go of the snake and perhaps be bitten fatally or painfully by the same specimen. In addition, all bites in such a country are sources of infection and injury. Although most have grown up with snakes around them, usually the knowledge of the breed is minimal and they would rather lose any kind than rich. I can follow them dazrin.