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Flying snake facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The flying snake, also known as Chrysopelea, is a mildly venomous snake. You can find it in places from India all the way to the Indonesian islands. These amazing snakes can glide through the air! They live in trees and can "fly" from one tree to another. They are even better at gliding than flying squirrels!

How Flying Snakes Defend Themselves

Flying snakes have venom, but it's not very strong for humans. It's similar to the venom of garter snakes. The amount of venom in their bite is only enough to help them catch their prey. We'll talk more about what they eat later.

If a much bigger animal tries to attack a flying snake, the snake might bite it. This bite can cause a lot of pain to the attacker. But often, the flying snake will choose to "fly" away instead of fighting. This helps them escape danger quickly.

What Flying Snakes Eat

Flying snakes are active during the day. This means they hunt for food when the sun is out. Their main diet includes different small animals. They often eat lizards, birds, and frogs. They also hunt bats, small mice, and other rodents. They use their mild venom to help catch these small creatures.

Different Kinds of Flying Snakes

There are five types, or species, of flying snakes known to scientists. Each one is a little different, but they all share the amazing ability to glide.

Here are the five known species:

  • Moluccan flying snake
  • Sri Lankan flying snake
  • Paradise tree snake
  • Ornate flying snake
  • Twin-barred tree snake

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Chrysopelea para niños

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