Golden tree snake

- Chrysopelea ornata

The Golden tree snake (Chrysopelea ornata) It is the one with the largest area of ​​distribution.. It is located in the Philippines, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Viet Nam, Bangladesh and the Indian states of Gujarat, Kerala, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh.

The following are recognized as valid:

• Chrysopelea ornata ornata (Shaw, 1802)
• Chrysopelea ornata ornatissima Werner, 1925
• Chrysopelea ornata sinhaleya Deraniyalaga, 1945

There are three subspecies of the Golden tree snake. The Chrysopelea ornata has two main forms of color, determined largely by geographic location. In Sri Lanka and in the south of its range in India, the snake is mainly greenish-yellow or pale green. The second color variety, what happens in southeast asia, lacks reddish vertebral spots and has less prominent black crossbars. The head of this snake is quite flat, with a thin neck and an atypical blunt nose, and big eyes that are sometimes red depending on the angle. They can measure up to 140 cm.. The snake has rear fangs, which means that once the snake has grabbed its prey it will not let go and it will not be able to escape.

The Golden tree snake is accustomed by nature to tree life (on the floor) in tropical jungles, dry deciduous forests, plantations, agricultural areas and rural gardens. Like her relative Chrysopelea paradisi, this snake is able to glide through the air. The snake can climb to considerable heights in trees or even on the walls of buildings.. They are very often seen climbing coconut trees or vertical rock walls in curves, using their scales to cling to surfaces.

This Golden tree snake it is diurnal and, despite being slightly poisonous (not harmful to human unless allergic), it has been observed to kill some of its prey by crushing it and breaking its neck. The snake is said to be shy and quick. Usually, the snake is impossible to catch when humans come into contact with it in apartments and houses. The snake is very common and it is solitary, but can live close to its own kind without being attacked. like carnivore, the Golden tree snake feeds on small geckos, lizards, Tokay gecko (Gekko gecko), rodents, bird eggs, insects, other snakes occasionally and bats.

The Golden tree snake it is one of the few “flying snakes”. These snakes can't really fly, but they slide to some extent flattening their body, forming a wide cavity with its belly, and spinning in the air as they jump from high branches. It is believed that this behavior helps them to move through the forest, catch prey and as a defense mechanism against predators. They can go up to 100 m in a single jump if they start from a tall enough tree.

Little is known about the breeding habits of the Golden tree snake because no one seems to get him to mate while he's in captivity. Mating season is in June and the snake chooses holes and crevices in tall trees to perch and lay eggs.. Being oviparous, places of 6 to 12 elongated eggs in May-June, that hatch in June. The pups measure between 11 and 15 cm long.

It is mainly a less strong poison, which however can cause unpleasant consequences, but it is not fatal to humans.

Local pain may occur, swelling and edema at the site of the bite. It also, nausea may appear, vomiting and a general feeling of being unwell.
But, a healthy adult person is not likely to experience major or long-term side effects.
But, there may be a risk of death in allergic people; such a state of shock would have to be treated immediately.

As the venomous teeth of this species are situated far back in the mouth, you would have to go deep into the animal's mouth (for example, with one finger) to be bitten.
In some cases, "massages" the venom into the body of its prey as a digestive aid.

The Golden tree snake Is a predator, so their presence helps regulate the number of lower level species, which will prevent populations from growing exponentially.

in asian countries, the Golden tree snake is captured, it is cooked and sold as food, and is also captured and sold in the pet trade. But the main impact on this species is deforestation and urbanization, where tree removal impacts their ability to hunt and capture prey.

The species must be able to retreat and, according to some owners, it is almost always hidden. But, the terrarium should not be too large for control reasons. It can be a plastic terrarium 80 x 60 x 80 cm..

Important: elevated hiding places, many plants and fine climbing branches, high and slightly moist substrate, for example, coconut fiber or other loose and absorbent substrate, elevated water bowl, daylight, possibly even spotlights for a few hours. During the day 26-29 °C, At night 22-24 °C, humidity 70-80 %, spray at least every other day.

Lizards, rodents, young birds. Females can relatively easily get used to mice, mice with too much hair can cause digestive failure. The males tend to reject them., and mouse pup weathering trials are still pending.

Can be kept in pairs or groups. It is useful the rainy season in summer, at least two broods a year with 6-20 possible eggs, that hatch after 70-90 days to 25-30 °C. The young probably feed on gecko tails., insect trials are pending. Attempts to force-feed the pups, they usually fail. It is best to raise your own feeding geckos, for example with juvenile geckos (Lepidodactylus lugubris).

The price of a "Golden tree snake" at the exotic animal market, ranges between 200 – 400 EUR.

1. Golden tree snake, Ornate flying snake, Golden flying snake (English).
2. Couleuvre volante, Serpent volant (French).
3. Goldschlange, Grüne Schmuckbaumnatter, Gelbgrüne Schmuckbaumnatter, Gewöhnliche Schmuckbaumnatter (German).
4. Cobra voadora (Portuguese).
5. "Serpiente voladora dorada", Serpiente arborícola asiática, Serpiente voladora dorada, Serpiente arbórea ornamental común (español).