Paradise flying tree snake found perched on Christmas tree topper in Bulacan

A paradise flying tree snake was discovered perched atop the Christmas tree inside a house in Bulacan.

In Kuya Kim’s report on “24 Oras,” Friday, Renz Santos said that they first noticed something unusual when the Christmas star serving as their tree topper appeared to be drooping.

“Napansin namin na ‘yung Christmas star sa Christmas tree is nakahapay. Nung aayusin na namin, dun na namin napansin na may something dun sa ibabaw nung star, which is a snake pala. ‘Yung Christmas tree is kakulay niya. Maganda ‘yung pattern nung balat niya and shiny siya,” Renz said.

After posting a photo of the snake in a Facebook group dedicated to Philippine snakes, he learned that the reptile was a Paradise flying tree snake.

“Isa sa natutunan ko dun sa group is treat every snake na venomous until ma-ID mo siya. So hindi ko siya hinandle. Gumamit ako ng mahabang stick,” he said.

Renz added that their house is located near a rice field and across a vacant lot with thick vegetation, making it likely that the snake naturally lives in the area.

He said he safely returned the snake to where it came from.

Herpetologist Kyle Tamayo explained that flying snakes do not actually fly but glide by flattening their bodies to move from one tree to another.

“Sila ay mildly venomous. Para lang sa mga maliliit na hayop,” he said.

Renz later shared that another snake was spotted near their terrace, prompting him to give the same instructions to his younger sister.

“Ang takeaway ko dun is lagi din nating isipin na ang mga snakes, hindi din lahat diyan, venomous. And same as humans, meron din silang right na mabuhay so let’s respect that. Hindi porket ahas ‘yan kailangan nating patayin,” he said.

—Carby Rose Basina/CDC, GMA Integrated News