Ornate Flying Snake: Chrysopelea ornata
The
ornate flying snake, Chrysopelea ornata, is certainly one of the most
interesting species that obviously underwent reptilian adaptive radiation in
Southeast Asia. This species distributes from India to Indonesia, earning the
added attraction of many scientists and nature lovers alike with its behavior
of gliding from one tree to another.
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| Chrysopelea ornata (Indiabiodiversity.org) |
Physical Description:
The
Ornate Flying Snake is long and slender, reaching a length of about 1.2 meters.
It bears an exciting pattern of green, yellow, and black colors that blend
together; these colors help in camouflaging and act as a warning to some
predators. The ventral scales of this snake are only slightly keeled to provide
grip during climbing and gliding. The head is distinctly separated from the
neck, with large eyes that provide excellent vision. Coloration is bright with
well-marked readily distinguishing characteristics in its homeland habitat.
Scalation Pattern
The
scalation of Chrysopelea ornata refers to a fundamental feature of its
morphology, which is as follows:
• Dorsal
Scales: 15 rows of smooth scales at midbody.
• Ventral
Scales: 200-250 ventral scales that are slightly keeled.
• Subcaudal
Scales: 90-120 pairs of subcaudal scales.
• Head
Scales:
o
Frontal Scale: Single, large, and
hexagonal.
o Parietal Scales: Generally, a pair
behind the frontal scale.
o Rostral Scale: A single scale at the
end of the snout.
o Nasal Scales: A pair covering the
nostrils.
o Loreal Scales: Usually one or two
between the nasal and preocular scales.
o Preocular Scales: Generally, one or
two above the eye.
o Postocular Scales: Usually, two or
three behind the eye.
o Temporal Scales: Rows covering the
sides of the head.
o Supralabial Scales: 7-9 along the
upper lip.
o Infralabial Scales: 8-10 scales along
the lower lip.
Habitat and Distribution
Chrysopelea
ornata is distributed in most types of habitats across Southeast Asia, from
India and Sri Lanka to Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia,
and Indonesia, all the way to the Philippines. It inhabits thick forests,
gardens, and cultivated farms with trees covering the area. The species is
known for being arboreal, as much time is spent within the trees, where they
can hunt and avoid some terrestrial predators.
Behaviour and Diet
The
Ornate Flying Snake is a diurnal animal. The species is an exceptional climber,
its scales holding fast on tree bark and other surfaces. The most exciting
behavior of this snake is gliding from tree to tree. It flattens its body and
goes on lateral undulations, gliding up to 100 meters to help it move about in
its arboreal habitat with ease.
Chrysopelea
ornata primarily feeds on small vertebrates, from lizards and frogs to birds
and small mammals. Constriction and envenoming are used in overpowering their
prey, but the venom does not pose any threat to humans.
Reproduction
The
breeding season of the Ornate Flying Snake generally occurs during the rainy
season. Males have combats and displays for the females. Laying their clutches
of 6 to 12 eggs in hidden, secure locations such as leaf litter, and tree hollows,
among others follow the mating. The young ones hatch after a two-month
incubation period, totally independent from birth.
Conservation Status
The
Ornate Flying Snake is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
However, the destruction of habitats is a very potent threat to this species,
just like it is to so many others, especially through deforestation for
urbanization. Conservation will ensure that this remarkable species may survive
in the long term. Forest habitats need to be conserved with reduced
deforestation for the population of Chrysopelea ornata and other
arboreal snakes to be sustained.
Conclusion
The
Ornate Flying Snake, with its bright coloration, arboreal lifestyle, and its
gliding ability, itself gives the best example of ingenuity in nature. This
species is part of the rich biodiversity present in Southeast Asian forests;
therefore, it is essential to understand and conserve them. Continued research
and conservation of this wonderful species can guarantee that Chrysopelea
ornata will continue to thrive in our natural world.
Literature Cited:
1.
Das, I. 2012. A Naturalist's
Guide to the Snakes of Southeast Asia. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: John Beaufoy
Publishing.
2.
Murphy JC, Voris HK. 2014. A
Checklist and Key to the Homalopsid Snakes (Reptilia, Squamata, Serpentes),
with the Description of New Genera. Fieldiana Life and Earth Sci 8: 1–43.
3.
Smith, M. A. (1943). The Fauna of
British India, Ceylon and Burma: Reptilia and Amphibia (Vol. III, Serpentes).
London, UK: Taylor & Francis.
4.
Cox, M. J., van Dijk, P. P.,
Nabhitabhata, J., & Thirakhupt, K. (1998). A Photographic Guide to Snakes
and Other Reptiles of Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. Sanibel
Island, FL: Ralph Curtis Publishing.
5.
IUCN. (2021). Chrysopelea ornata.
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T198273A151796452.
https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T198273A151796452.en
6.
Whitaker, R., & Captain, A.
(2004). Snakes of India: The Field Guide. Chennai, India: Draco Books.
7.
Das, A., and Vijayakumar, S. P.
2020. The Herpetofauna of India: Diversity, Distribution, and Conservation. In
K. Kunte, & U. Ramakrishnan (Eds.), State of India's Biodiversity and
Conservation pp. 457-483. Springer.
8.
Schleich, H. H., Kästle, W.,
& Kabisch, K. (1996). Amphibians and Reptiles of Nepal: Biology,
Systematics, Field Guide. A. R. G. Gantner Verlag K. G.
9.
Jayawardena, S., & Gomez, M.
V. (2017). An Overview of Amphibians and Reptiles of Sri Lanka. In A.
Sooriyabandara, M. Ekanayake, & A. Sooriyabandara, Diversity and
Conservation of Asian Primates, 237-255. Springer.
10. Deepak,
V., & Karanth, P. (2018). A Review of the Green Keelback Snake, Rhabdophis
nigrocinctus (Serpentes: Colubridae), from India with the First Detailed
Account of Natural History, Morphology and Lineage Diversity in the Western
Ghats Radiation. Taprobanica, 10(2), 111-126.
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