It glides by using its ridge scales along its belly, pushing against rough bark surface of tree trunks, allowing it to move vertically up a tree.
Once it decides on a destination, it propels itself by thrusting its body up and away from the tree, sucking in its stomach, flaring out its ribs to turn its body in a "pseudo concave wing" all the while making a continual serpentine motion of lateral undulation, parallel to the ground to stabilise its direction in midair in order to land safely. Their ability to glide has been an object of interest for physicists and the United States Department of Defense in recent years, and studies continue to be made on what other, more subtle, factors contribute to their flight.
According to recent research conducted by the University of Chicago, scientists discovered a correlation between size and gliding ability, in which smaller flying snakes were able to glide longer distances horizontally. Flying snakes are diurnal, which means they hunt during the day, preying upon lizards, frogs, birds and bats.
There are three species of flying snake
1.Ornate flying snake-This is the largest species of flying snake, reaching up to four feet in length.
2.Paradise tree snake-This flying snake species reaches up to three feet in length and is popular in the European pet trade.
3.Twin-barred tree snake or banded flying snake-This is the smallest flying snake species, reaching up to two feet in length.
