Basic Information
Scientific Name: Chrysopelea paradisi
Average Size: 3.75 ft. (1.14 m) [1]
Habitat: Forests, Mangroves, Urban Areas [1]
Activity: Arboreal [3]
Distribution: India, Sri Lanka, Burma, southern China, Indo-China, Malay Peninsula, Indonesian islands, Philippines, [2] Singapore, Thailand
About the Paradise Tree Snake
The Paradise Tree Snake is not usually aggressive, but they are poisonous, [1] rear-fanged snakes. [3] They are excellent climbers and completely arboreal, favoring trees, though they can live in forests, mangroves, and even urban areas. [1] Their diet consists of lizards, birds, and small mammals. [2]
The Paradise Tree Snake moves from tree to tree via gliding. [1] They launch themselves from a high branch and change the shape of their ventral surface, [3] making themselves concave. [1] This enables them to glide or parachute. During the flight, they undulate in the air, resembling serpent crawling on the ground. [3]
Physical Description
Species of the Chrysopelea genus tend to be green with black and red markings. [2] However, the Paradise Tree Snake can be silver-gray to brown, with black or red markings. [1] They have slender bodies and narrow, elegant heads with large eyes. [2] They also have long, prehensile tails. [2]
Footnotes
- Paradise Tree Snake. Link Defunct: <http://www.ecologyasia.com/Vertebrates/paradise_tree-snake.htm>
- Mattison [New] 233
- Mattison [World] 38
For more information on footnotes and references, please see the bibliography.
