Flying snakes? A species of snake is able to glide through the air and scientists think they finally understand how these creatures are able to do it.
Chrysopelea paradisi -- the paradiseLittle was known about how such snakes "fly" before a team of scientists from Virginia Tech published a new research paper Monday.
The snakes make an undulating motion as they move through the air, and researchers had been curious as to why they did it. One hypothesis was that it was a base motor pattern for snakes built in over millions of years, but Yeaton said they now understand the undulation stabilizes the glide and stops the snake from tumbling, as well as allowing them to cover more horizontal distance.
The next stage for researchers is to observe snakes jumping from trees -- or gliding -- outdoors, Yeaton said, as well as investigating how they generate lift and how they turn in the air.
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