Thai National Parks

Species of Thailand

Paradise tree snake

Chrysopelea paradisi, Heinrich Boie, 1827

(In Thai: งูเขียวร่อน, ngu khieow ron)

Paradise tree snake or Paradise flying snake, Chrysopelea paradisi, is a species of snake found in southeastern Asia. It can, like all species of its genus Chrysopelea, glide by stretching the body into a flattened strip using its ribs. It is mostly found in moist forests and can cover a horizontal distance of about 100 metres in a glide from the top of a tree. Slow motion photography shows an undulation of the snake's body in flight while the head remains relatively stable, suggesting controlled flight. They are mildly venomous with rear fangs and also can constrict their prey, which consists of mostly lizards and bats.

Distribution

Thailand (incl. Phuket), Indonesia (Bangka, Belitung, Java, Mentawai Archipelago, Natuna Archipelago, Nias, Riau Archipelago, Sumatra, We, Borneo, Sulawesi), Brunei Darussalam; India (Andaman Islands), Malaysia (Malaya and East Malaysia); Myanmar (Burma); Philippine Islands (including Sulu Archipelago, Negros Oriental, Panay, Luzon); Singapore; Race celebensis: Indonesia (Sulawesi).

Race variabilis: Philippine Islands (including Sulu Archipelago)

This article uses material from Wikipedia released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike Licence 3.0. Eventual photos shown in this page may or may not be from Wikipedia, please see the license details for photos in photo by-lines.

Scientific classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Reptilia
Order
Squamata
Suborder
Serpentes
Family
Colubridae
Genus
Chrysopelea
Species
Chrysopelea paradisi

Common names

  • German: Paradies-Schmuckbaumnatter
  • English:
    • Paradise tree snake
    • Paradise flying snake
  • Thai:
    • งูเขียวร่อน, ngu khieow ron
    • งูเขียวดอกหมาก, ngu khiao dokmak

Subspecies

  • Chrysopelea paradisi celebensis, Robert Mertens, 1968

    Range: Indonesia (Sulawesi)

  • Chrysopelea paradisi paradisi, Friedrich Boie, 1827

    Range: Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, India (Andaman Islands), Malaysia (Malaya and East Malaysia, Pulau Pangkor), Myanmar, Philippine Islands, Singapore

  • Chrysopelea paradisi variabilis, Robert Mertens, 1968

    Range: Philippine Islands (including Sulu Archipelago, Panay)

Synonyms

  • Chrysopelea paradisi, Van Stanley Bartholomew Wallach et al. (2014)
  • Chrysopelea paradisi variabilis, Maren Gaulke (2012)
  • Chrysopelea paradisi celebensis, Thomas Cherico Wanger et al. (2011)
  • Chrysopelea paradisi celebensis, Djoko Tjahjono Iskandar & Walter R. Erdelen (2006)
  • Chrysopelea paradisi celebensis, De Lange & Gernot Vogel (2005)
  • Chrysopelea paradisi paradisi, Tanya Chan-Ard et al. (1999)
  • Chrysopelea paradisi, Merel J. Cox et al. (1998)
  • Chrysopelea paradisi, Ulrich Manthey & Wolfgang Grossmann (1997)
  • Chrysopelea paradisi variabilis, Robert Mertens (1968)
  • Chrysopelea paradisi celebensis, Robert Mertens (1968)

Conservation status

Least Concern (IUCN3.1)

Least Concern (IUCN3.1)

Photos

Please help us review our species pages if wrong photos are used or any other details in the page is wrong. We can be reached via our contact us page.

Chrysopelea paradisi
Chrysopelea paradisi

Range Map

Distribution map of Paradise tree snake, Chrysopelea paradisi in Thailand
  • Bang Lang National Park
  • Kaeng Krachan National Park
  • Kantang District, Trang
  • Kathu District, Phuket
  • Khao Lak - Lam Ru National Park
  • Khao Sok National Park
  • Ko Lanta District, Krabi
  • Ko Phayam
  • La-ngu District, Satun
  • Mueang Krabi District, Krabi
  • Phrasaeng District, Surat Thani
  • Sri Phang-nga National Park
  • Takua Pa District, Phang Nga
  • Tarutao National Marine Park
  • Thalang District, Phuket
  • Thale Ban National Park
  • Than To District, Yala
  • Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Waeng District, Narathiwat
  • Yan Ta Khao District, Trang
Range map of Chrysopelea paradisi in Thailand