Snakes can glide through the air.... this is how #WhatsTrending

Snakes can glide through the air -- and this is how

Chrysopelea paradisi -- the paradise tree snake -- does just that, propelling through the air from trees in South and Southeast Asia.

Little was known about how such snakes "fly" before a team of scientists from Virginia Tech published a new research paper Monday.

The paradise tree snake lives in South and Southeast Asia.

You don't strictly need to undulate to fall, so that leads to the question 'well then why are they undulating,'" said Yeaton.

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.