The Mad Scientist

Wednesday, 20 July 2005

Flying Snakes!
Topic: Biology

(Well maybe they just glide.)

I saw an interesting article in the current issue of Science on these curious serpents.

Apparently there are five related species (of the genus Chrysopelea) that jump out of trees and glide. To find out more visit http://www.flyingsnake.org, a website maintained by Jake Soka who studies these snakes at the University of Chicago.

Posted by madscientist39 at 1:02 PM EDT

Updated: Wednesday, 20 July 2005 1:03 PM EDT

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Wednesday, 20 July 2005 - 6:24 PM EDT

Name: Bil the Man
Home Page: http://biltheman.tripod.com/blog

More like controlled falling. Gliding, I think, involves riding air currents. I compare what they do to parachutists in free fall.

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Thursday, 21 July 2005 - 7:00 PM EDT

Name: JJ

I think this guy hasn't seen all the clips.

Cool movies! Checkout how these guys can turn in mid air!

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Wednesday, 24 August 2005 - 5:43 PM EDT

Name: pepita

perhaps the point is moot: who can tell the precise borders between "controlled fall", "jump" and "glide"? (which is why they are classified as both 'parachuters' and 'gliders', i guess)
the videos are amazing!
it's very cool that the bodies flatten on air (that must make things in the body cavity VERY cozy!)... I wonder if they have novel musculature or if all snakes are able to do this but could not be bothered to?

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