'Flying' snake spotted in outskirts of Coimbatore

According to sources, this type of snakes are found in dry zone areas in southeastern countries such as Cambodia, Vietnam and part of Sri Lanka, and rarely in India.

A rare three-foot long ‘flying’ snake have been spotted in a village on the outskirts of Coimbatore.

Venkatesan, a farmer, noticed the snake 'flying' from tree-to-tree to catch a prey in his farm at Kalampalayam last Saturday.

He sought the help of a snake catcher who, with his team, managed to catch the reptile after a three-hour operation.

The snake was later handed over to the Forest department.

According to Forest department sources, this type of snakes are found in dry zone areas in southeastern countries such as Cambodia, Vietnam and also part of Sri Lanka, and rarely in India.

The snake, known as Chrysopelea, has the ability to 'fly' horizontally in air and move at least 20 feet non-stop, they said, adding that the grey-coloured reptile has black spots around it, at a distance of two to three inches.

The snake might have found its way to Kalampalayam on a truck carrying wooden logs or hay, they said.

It was released into the jungle area of Puthupathi in Western Ghats, the sources said.