teaching bps

Mendel's Balls, that is just an awesome post! I think you managed to express a bit of everybody's feelings. Is that a group hug I feel coming on??? :D

I'm very impressed with your knowledge in the area. This particular subject is one of the Big Questions I like to ponder. I strongly believe people are very anthropocentric and we're in something of a renaissance with regards to understanding animals. And, of course, people are truly unique on this planet.

I'm also absolutely convinced my BP knows who I am and is, in some snakey way, attached to me. And, its not because I'm some emotional retard that needs to believe he has more than one friend in this world (I've got a cat too... :P). There are simply too many behaviors I see that simply do not fit into the basic survival pattern. The differences between WC and CB pythons provide a good basis to suggest that snakes domesticate to some extent.

So do you have any ideas on how the average BP owner might take advantage of this knowledge? I mean, I guess the real challenge is figuring out exactly what really is going on inside those cute little scaly heads, isn't it?

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Originally Posted by Christina

i agree here. when i remove all the things in my snake's cage for feeding, her behavior changes dramatically. she begins to look for a rat, and then snatches it usually in 5 seconds or less. she is aware that feeding time means that everything is missing. when everything is back in the tank, she knows that there will be no more food and that there is no need to hunt anymore.

i don't know about "training" so much as maybe learned habit(s). i find when i try to take pictures of my snake, it's very hard because she always goes right towards the camera. but whenever i have her out otherwise, she just goes where she wants (under supervision obviously). i'd say training a snake is a little far fetched, but i'd definately agree with them learning and catching on to certain situations quickly.

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I too have noticed unique behavior during picture taking. I don't know if its the flash or what but the last time I took pictures of my boy I was amazed. Earlier in the evening I had been holding him and he eventually started to get fidgety (as usual) and I went to put him back and I thought "Oh yea, I was going to take some pictures.." I laid him on the bed, got the camera, started taking photos while occasionally stopping to play with the lighting in the room. This went on for at least 30-45 mins. For starters, he didn't do his usually for running a wrinkle in the covers but instead remained in roughly the same location for a long time. On top of that he started periscoping like crazy, and did his best to look like he was intentionally posing. Eventually, he grew tired of it and went back to his normal routine but it was one of those times you just can't shake the feeling that you just witnessed something special....

For the record, goldfish do have mroe than a 5 second memory.
Goldfish are easily trained because you have something they want. Goldfish food. They eat a lot(compared to a ball python which eats once a week), and WANT that food.
Training the snake requires that you have something that it wants. You need a reward in order to train an animal. It can be a word of approval to your dog, or a piece of liver for your cat, or a bit of goldfish food for your goldfish.
Finding a reward for a snake is inherantly a dificult process. They don't usually want touching, they don't want approval, and they only eat once a week. That's why it is so HARD.
I've trained a goldfish. It's not hard. I've trained chickens. Very easy.
Training a snake? Harder. I just would hate for someone to build their expectation of what the pet can and can't do up to a unreasonable level, then find out that it can't or is incapable of. Like my other example. If someone thinks their snake "loves" them, and then they get bit by a good feeding response, because the snake sensed heat of hand, rather than lesser heat of dead mouse.. then that person might feel betrayed, and even angry that the snake "meanly" bit them for no reason. They may even decide to not keep snakes.. because "snakes are mean, even when you love them".
I feel its' just better to be honest with someone to start with. I think snakes are really cool, superbly engineered animals. I also don't get angry at the snake when it tags me while I'm feeding or cleaning bins.
Shrug. I don't want to "attack" the OP. I just would rather he have eyes-open about the situation.

You're right wolfy. I believe its actually people that have the 5-second memory - just ask any politician. ;) Wait, no that's not right..... it was politicians have a....no....umm....

So, here's something to consider: People's behaviors can also be ruthlessly (and predictably) analyzed. Just ask a successful therapist, politician, or advertiser. We're more complex, not magical. Personally, I believe animals have all (or at least nearly all) of the emotions we do - but they are more primitive versions. Why do you love somebody? Because they make you feel good. Likewise, a long-time pet probably isn't running a great scheme about how they need to suck up to you to get fed. They just come to associate you with a nice full tummy. YOU==WARM-FUZZY. What's the difference?