Are there really flying snakes?
Certainly there are creatures called flying snakes, also flying squirrels and even flying fish. However, the bird world would pooh pooh this whole idea, claiming that in order to qualify as a genuine flier, a creature must be endowed with flappable wings. The snakes, of course, have no wings or limbs of any sort. Nevertheless, several species do manage to hurl themselves through the air. Years ago, the people of Malaya and Indonesia told visiting experts about their fantastic flying snakes. They explained that these long, slender creatures slither to the treetops, turn themselves into birds and fly. They land on other trees, where they wait for genuine birds to make an appearance. Then the tricky acrobats become snakes again and guess what’s for dinner? Naturally, no serious minded scientists swallowed this impossible snaky story. And it was some time before they even believed that a snake could hurl himself through the air. Nowadays, this remarkable acrobatic feat has been captured by
Many people are scared of all snakes, whether or not the crawly creatures are dangerous to them. To these peop1e a snake in the grass is horrible enough, and the notion of a Snake swooping through the air is downright monstrous,. But some snakes do take to the air. The plantations of Asia are often populated with swarms of flying lizards. These small, pretty creatures are fitted with wings of a sort. They have sets of false ribs which extend beyond their sides, and these bony frameworks are covered with skin. The flying lizards extend their wings and glide and parachute from treetop to treetop. In the air the gayly colored little creatures are said to look like flocks of flying jewels. But lizards are lizards, and snakes, though closely related, are snakes. It is hard to imagine how a limbless snake could take to the air or even dare to try. But it can be done. The amazing feat is proved possible every day by hosts of small tree snakes that enjoy life in the tropical jungles of Java, S
