Reader Rodger Atkin sent these photos, taken by his friend John in Thailand. I have little other information, but most were identified.
Oriental magpie-robin, (Copsychus saularis):
Two views of the Great Mormon butterfly (Papilio memnon):
Little egret (Egretta garzetta):
An unidentified skink; perhaps readers can provide an ID:
Golden tree snake (Chrysopelea ornata). This snake is mildly venomous but hasn’t been reported to hurt humans. Wikipedia adds this: “The snake’s striking looks and capability of gliding make it a popular choice for captivity.” And more about the gliding (why someone would want to keep a gliding snake is beyond me):
Chrysopelea ornata, like others of its genus, glides or parachutes. This is presumably done to cover distances faster, to escape predators, to catch prey, or to move around in forests. Flying snakes usually parachute from tree to tree, but sometimes launch themselves from trees onto the ground. They have been known to cross as much as 100m.
It does this by climbing up to a height, which it does easily by virtue of its keeled belly scales, and then launching itself into mid-air. The snake contracts its ventral surface inwards to form a U-shaped concave depression along the entire length of their bodies, holding the outer edges of the ventral scales rigid. This concave surface acts like a parachute, and increases air resistance, allowing the snake to glide forward with the thrust of its launch. The snake undulates through the air, in a swimming-like motion. It holds the tail rigidly upwards, and by twisting the tail from side to side, it attains balance. This motion allows it to propel forward, landing clumsily at the end of its flight.
Here’s a congener, C. paradisi, showing its incredible ability to maneuver in the air:
As lagnaippe, here’s a photo by Stephen Barnard from Idaho (note d*g, a border collie, in foreground). This was sent yesterday:
Deets likes to scare ducks. There was a coyote across the creek this morning eating HIS voles, and he was really pissed about that.
Beautiful video of gliding snakes! I have collected these in the wild but never got to see them “fly.” It is interesting, I think, how many reptile species glide in Asia, but here, in the New World, that “niche” seems to have ben filled by frogs. How many Asian amphibians have been reported to glide?
There is of course the flying frog found scattered in the jungles of Malaysia and Borneo, described by Alfred Wallace:
Whoops, did not mean to do that. Sorry.
This is the first group of photos I remember seeing that are from Thailand. All the species are new to me (except the gliding snake). The butterfly is gorgeous…strange common name however.
Great capture of the Mallard walking on water. It’s a miracle!
http://i100.independent.co.uk/article/this-magpie-smoking-a-cigarette-has-become-something-of-a-hero-in-manchester–Z1Mp3klD3l
Did someone say magpie?
Probably a Scouse magpie, up to Manchester to see what the civilised world looks like. (Waiting for a retort from Professor Loaf.)
Love the askeeered duck!
I think the skink may be the Many lined sun skink (Eutropis multifasciata)
Is it Eutropis now? Came here to say that it looked like a Mabuya multifasciata to me.
Rodger, thank you (& John) for those wonderful, exotic pictures! What an amazing snake! Love the way John’s picture shows that wild tail.
Does anyone know the reasoning behind the specific name “memnon” for the flutter-by? Or, for that matter, the association of a Greek name for an Egyptian pharaoh with an American confidence trick?