The stability of flying snakes during transient glides

Abstract eng:
Arboreal snakes of the genus Chrysopelea are the only known snakes to glide. These snakes use large amplitude threedimensional body undulations in a controlled and stable glide to the ground. We use recently acquired glide data (provided in a complimentary presentation) and a variable-geometry rigid-body model to address the passive stability properties of this system. By varying the spatial and temporal characteristics of the undulation in simulated glides, we find that flying snakes are likely unstable in pitch and moderately unstable in roll.

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