Navigation Links
Researchers reveal secrets of flying snakes

It seems size does matters after all. But for flying snakes, smaller is better, according to University of Chicago researchers.

In the May 15, 2005, issue of the Journal of Experimental Biology, scientists described the effects of size and behavior of flying snakes, and found that the smaller animals were better gliders.

"Despite their lack of wing-like appendages, flying snakes are skilled aerial locomotors," said lead scientist and author Jake Socha, Ph.D., who has been studying these unique creatures for the past eight years.

With the help of colleagues Michael LaBarbera, professor of organismal biology and anatomy at Chicago, and Tony O'Dempsey, an expert in photogrammetry, Socha used 3-D flight information from the synchronized recordings of two video cameras to digitally reconstruct the trajectories, speed and body postures of Chrysopelea paradisi, or paradise tree snake, and Chrysopelea ornata, golden tree snake.

In this study, Socha, who also is a biologist at Argonne National Laboratory, found that paradise tree snakes are true gliders, traveling further horizontally than dropping vertically. The best flight Socha recorded traveled 13 degrees from the horizon at the end of its trajectory.

Socha correlated 19 performance variables, such as glide angle and horizontal speed, of the snake's flight with 16 size and behavior variables, such as mass and snout-vent length, of the animal's body. He found that body length and wave amplitude are important predictors of flight behavior, but wave frequency was not.

"These high-amplitude undulations visually dominate the behavior, yet their frequency is unrelated to the snake's glide performance," Socha said.

So why do they undulate? Socha and LaBarbera suggest it's for stability. Just as a person who makes small balancing adjustments while walking on a beam, a flying snake might continuously make adjustments to maintain controlled flight.

All other gliders,
'"/>

Source:University of Chicago


Page: 1 2 3

Related biology news :

1. Researchers discover way to make cells in the eye sensitive to light
2. Researchers find how protein allows insects to detect and respond to pheromones
3. Researchers Uncover Key Step In Manufacture of Memory Protein
4. Researchers reveal the infectious impact of salmon farms on wild salmon
5. Researchers identify target for cancer drugs
6. Researchers discover molecule that causes secondary stroke
7. Researchers find missing genes of ancient organism
8. Researchers trace evolution to relatively simple genetic changes
9. Researchers add new tool to tumor-treatment arsenal
10. UF Researchers Map Bacterial Proteins That Cause Tooth Loss
11. VCU Researchers Identify Networks Of Genes Responding To Alcohol In The Brain
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
TAG: Researchers reveal secrets flying snakes

(Date:5/23/2013)... Frontiers, one of the world,s largest and fastest ... new journal, Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology ... all specialties, Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology ... diverse and emerging bioengineering and biotechnology research to ... in Bioengineering and Biotechnology will provide an ...
(Date:5/22/2013)... Researchers working to improve durability in fuel cell ... University, have discovered links between electrode degradation processes ... quantifying the effects of electrode degradation stressors in ... membrane lifetime. , The findings of the study, ... the latest in a long-term study at Burnaby-based ...
(Date:5/22/2013)... discovery of potential environmental and human health effects ... each year has led scientists to recommend stronger ... of lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery materials. That,s the conclusion ... Environmental Science & Technology . , Oladele ... batteries have become mainstays for powering everything from ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Frontiers launches new open-access journal in Bioengineering and Biotechnology 2Tests lead to doubling of fuel cell life 2
... BATON ROUGE In the jungles of Central and ... unique way of finding food by following hordes ... work. Robb Brumfield, assistant curator of genetic resources at ... of biological sciences, first witnessed this peculiarity in 1989 ...
... at Washington University in St. Louis has discovered that after ... revive, the community of species in each pond tends to ... houses made of ticky tacky. Jonathan M. ... and director of the universitys Tyson Research Center, created 20 ...
... to ramp up testosterone production appears to drive male ... comes with an evolutionary cost. Big fluctuations in testosterone ... their own young, scientists have learned. In ... Indiana University Bloomington, University of Virginia and University of ...
Cached Biology News:LSU professor studies army-ant-following birds 2After drought, ponds keep up with the Joneses 2After drought, ponds keep up with the Joneses 3Testosterone turns male juncos into blustery hunks -- and bad dads 2Testosterone turns male juncos into blustery hunks -- and bad dads 3
(Date:5/23/2013)... Every day, their baby stopped breathing, his collapsed bronchus ... April and Bryan Gionfriddo watched helplessly, just praying that ... few doctors said he had a good chance of ... her now 20-month-old son, Kaiba. "At that point, we ... it and run with it." , They found hope ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... Graphite Metallizing Corporation announces a series ... stainless steel pillow blocks. This series combines the ... application and installation versatility of pillow blocks. , ... exceptionally well when submerged in water, water-soluble chemicals ... acids, alkalies, hydrocarbons, black liquor, and liquid gases. ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... Francisco, CA (PRWEB) May 23, 2013 ... who encourage all types of inventions. They focus on ... now noticing this community gravitate toward bringing their ideas ... the DIY Biology Movement, works on making projects using ... the DNA of plants to make them glow with ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... May 23, 2013 Virobay, Inc. today announced ... has reached an important milestone, as Virobay has now ... a selective cathepsin S inhibitor.   The ... randomized, placebo-controlled study designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, ... healthy adults. "The initiation of this Phase ...
Breaking Biology Technology:Baby's life saved with groundbreaking 3-D printed device that restored his breathing 2Baby's life saved with groundbreaking 3-D printed device that restored his breathing 3Graphite Metallizing Now Offers GRAPHALLOY® Stainless Steel Pillow Blocks for Success in Submersible Applications 2Graphite Metallizing Now Offers GRAPHALLOY® Stainless Steel Pillow Blocks for Success in Submersible Applications 3Glowing Plant Releases Maker Kit, Enabling Anyone to Make a Glowing Plant at Home 2Virobay, Inc. initiates a Phase 1 Trial of VBY-036, a compound intended for the treatment of neuropathic pain 2Virobay, Inc. initiates a Phase 1 Trial of VBY-036, a compound intended for the treatment of neuropathic pain 3
... AMSTERDAM, November 30 Biopharmaceutical company ... enrolled in its,multinational registration clinical trial with ATIR(TM). The ... (TRM) after one,year following an allogeneic stem cell transplantation ... for an allogeneic,stem cell transplantation but without having a ...
... Calif., Nov. 30 BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (Nasdaq: ... Administration (FDA) has granted orphan drug designation for 3,4-diaminopyridine ... Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome (LEMS). 3,4-DAP has previously received ... October 2009, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human ...
... , ... -- WuXi PharmaTech (NYSE: WX ), a,leading ... operations in China and the United States,announced that it ... China,2009 list for the fifth consecutive year. The list ...
Cached Biology Technology:Kiadis Pharma Announces Enrollment of First Patients in a Multinational Registration Study for ATIR(TM) 2FDA Grants Orphan Drug Designation for 3,4-DAP for LEMS 2FDA Grants Orphan Drug Designation for 3,4-DAP for LEMS 3FDA Grants Orphan Drug Designation for 3,4-DAP for LEMS 4WuXi PharmaTech Named in Deloitte Technology Fast 50 China 2009 List for the Fifth Consecutive Year 2
... Jouan RC Standard Bio for vacuum ... of molecular biology and biochemistry for rapid ... RC systems can be expanded with pumps, ... selection of rotors (eliminating sample loss by ...
... is a dedicated concentrator for efficient drying ... DNA/RNA. The integrated system combines the SpeedVac™ ... compact design, automatic pump and rotor control, ... one for heater time), makes the DNA120 ...
... The Jouan RC Standard MB (For ... other molecular biology samples) of vacuum concentrator/centrifugal ... molecular biology and biochemistry for rapid and ... systems can be expanded with pumps, different ...
... vacuum concentrators/centrifugal evaporators offers a wide range ... and safe concentration of heat-labile samples. The ... or high vacuum pumps, a choice of ... rotors (eliminating sample loss by transfer), ensuring ...
Biology Products: