What zoos have flying snakes?

DavidBrown

DavidBrown

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
Does anyone know if any zoos have exhibits of any of the Bornean "flying" snakes, lizards, or frogs where one might actually see them displaying this behavior?

The California Academy of Sciences has a flying lizard (gecko?) species in a relatively small tank where this behavior is unlikely to be observed.

Maybe this behavior is not replicable in a zoo setting given the heights that that these animals glide from tree to tree in the forests of Borneo?

Any thoughts/information that people have would be appreciated.
 
Flying snake Chrysopelea ornata and some flying frogs Rhacophorus are not uncommon in zoos and private hobbyists. Try not completely reliable ISIS :: Find Animals Flying lizards Draco spp. are rare in captivity and rather specialized ant eaters, but some hobbyists keep and breed them.

Unfortunately, no zoo I know keeps any gliding animal (including flying squirrels and sugar gliders) in an exhibit big enough and arranged suitably so it might glide. Probably several meters of size and perches on two sides of the exhibit would be enough. Pity, because I also wanted to see it (that is I saw it, but in the wild).
 
I'm wondering how often they glide anyway? Might have a long wait! Also what circumstances do they glide? If it's to get away from predators, that couldn't easily be replicated.

I seem to remember seeing David Attenbrough filming something with a flying lizard at The Eden Project. Not sure if they actually keep them there or if it was just for filming though.
 
RowanGreen said:
I'm wondering how often they glide anyway? Might have a long wait! Also what circumstances do they glide? If it's to get away from predators, that couldn't easily be replicated.
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Not sure about lizards etc, but sugar gliders fly to get from place to place. A lot of people keep them as house pets and they fly from curtain tops etc.
I'm sure if you put them in a small room with maybe a few perches at quite different heights you'd see the behaviour frequently.
I was also thinking they might be used in animal shows fairly easily with a bit of training?

Take a look at this -
 
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DavidBrown said:
Does anyone know if any zoos have exhibits of any of the Bornean "flying" snakes, lizards, or frogs where one might actually see them displaying this behavior?

The California Academy of Sciences has a flying lizard (gecko?) species in a relatively small tank where this behavior is unlikely to be observed.

Maybe this behavior is not replicable in a zoo setting given the heights that that these animals glide from tree to tree in the forests of Borneo?

Any thoughts/information that people have would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

Chrysopelea species are not so uncommon in captivity, but I don't think any zoo would invest in an exhibit big enough for the snakes to glide; its just too costly and not worth the money, considering that the snakes don't glide all that much unless forced to. You are right too about the height required, scientific experiments required a 50 feet tower to enable the snakes to glide properly. Check out the NatGeo video:

How Snakes Can "Fly"
 
Jurek7 said:
Unfortunately, no zoo I know keeps any gliding animal (including flying squirrels and sugar gliders) in an exhibit big enough and arranged suitably so it might glide. Probably several meters of size and perches on two sides of the exhibit would be enough. Pity, because I also wanted to see it (that is I saw it, but in the wild).
Click to expand...

If you're ever in Singapore, head to the Night Safari. There is a giant flying squirrel walk-thru 'aviary' (for lack of a better word..) that allows the squirrels to launch from a height of 10 metres, enough for a short glide.

Video of the exhibit:
 
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Thanks for the comments everybody. Much appreciated.

@Jurek: did you see the "flying" lizards in Borneo? This is something that I would really like to observe in the wild.

@zooish: Thanks for the thoughts on the feasibility of flying snake exhibit (or lack there of). Will have to save my money for a trek to Borneo to try and see this behavior in the wild. The giant flying squirrel aviary looks very cool. If I am ever in Singapore this will be on my "to do" list.

@Rowan Green: Thanks for the info on the Eden project.
 
I will be visiting Milwaukee County zoo this summer David and they have Flying Snakes there.

[ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_Snake]Chrysopelea - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]
 
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