{"id":185,"date":"2025-10-06T15:20:33","date_gmt":"2025-10-06T15:20:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/macrostock.eu\/?p=185"},"modified":"2025-10-06T15:20:35","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T15:20:35","slug":"golden-tree-snake-chrysopelea-ornata","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/macrostock.karits.eu\/index.php\/2025\/10\/06\/golden-tree-snake-chrysopelea-ornata\/","title":{"rendered":"Golden tree snake (Chrysopelea ornata)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Download image<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc0d Golden Tree Snake (Chrysopelea ornata<\/em>) \u2013 Overview<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Golden Tree Snake<\/strong>, also known as the Ornate Flying Snake<\/strong>, is a striking and agile arboreal colubrid<\/strong> found in South and Southeast Asia<\/strong>, including Thailand, India, Malaysia<\/strong>, and Indonesia<\/strong>. It\u2019s renowned for its ability to glide between trees<\/strong>, making it one of the few truly “flying” snakes in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udd0d Identification<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Feature<\/th>Description<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Length<\/strong><\/td>Typically 1.2\u20131.5 m (can reach up to 1.8 m)<\/td><\/tr>
Coloration<\/strong><\/td>Vivid green or yellowish body with black net-like crossbars and golden highlights<\/strong>; some variants show red or orange flecks<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Head<\/strong><\/td>Slender, elongated, with large eyes and round pupils<\/td><\/tr>
Body<\/strong><\/td>Laterally compressed (flattened) \u2013 aids in gliding<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Chrysopelea ornata<\/em> is highly variable in color across its range. It\u2019s often mistaken for more dangerous species due to its vibrant coloration, but it is non-venomous to humans<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83c\udf33 Habitat<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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  • Prefers:\n
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    • Forests<\/strong> (evergreen, deciduous, and secondary)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Plantations<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Gardens<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Urban areas<\/strong> with tree cover<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Strongly arboreal<\/strong>, but will come to the ground when hunting or basking.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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      \ud83d\udc0d Behavior & Gliding<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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      • Capable of gliding<\/strong>: Flattens its body, launches from a branch, and uses undulating movements to control descent and direction.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Can travel 10\u201320 meters or more<\/strong> through the air, steering with precision.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Mostly diurnal<\/strong> and very active during the day.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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        \ud83d\udc2d Diet<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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        • Carnivorous:\n
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          • Geckos<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Tree frogs<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Rodents<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Small birds<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Bats<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Sometimes other snakes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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            Excellent climber and hunter, especially skilled at navigating branches and narrow surfaces.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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            \ud83d\udca1 Reproduction<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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            • Oviparous<\/strong> (egg-laying)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Lays 6\u201312 eggs<\/strong> per clutch, often in tree hollows or leaf litter<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Hatchlings emerge with adult-like coloration and are fully independent<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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              \ud83e\udde0 Interesting Facts<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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              • One of the few snakes known to glide<\/strong>, along with Chrysopelea paradisi<\/em> (Paradise flying snake).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • The gliding ability is an evolutionary adaptation<\/strong> for escaping predators and moving efficiently between trees.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Harmless to humans, but may mimic venomous snakes<\/strong> in behavior (e.g., neck flattening) when threatened.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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                \ud83c\udf0f Distribution<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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                • Found in:\n
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                  • India<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • Sri Lanka<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • Thailand<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • Myanmar<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • Malaysia<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • Indonesia<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • Southern China<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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