Snake memory

[Lizardlicks]

I feel like a huge part of the lack of studies on snakes is probably because they're deaf and solitary. So they can't communicate with sounds and they don't really have much desire to communicate at all. I mean, how do you reward an animal that just wants to be left alone? lol

I had a goldfish that would follow your hand and do little tricks for food once

Well that and people just don't like snakes. Totally unfair bias if you ask me!

My first betta was a hoot. He would flare, and do a little flappy dance when I greeted him in the morning, and when I brought out food for him. No other time!

[MontyAndMelissa]

People believe the 3 min thing.

I look at it like this, i present the food in front of them. So when i reach in to pick them up, i come from behind the head. bitey in front, no bitey in back. Its not like we can hope they'll solve differential equations.

It would be cool to see what they can learn. If you design an experiment that tub kept bps could be subjects, I'll be happy to participate!

I will definitely let you know. I'm thinking about how to do it without stressing him out

[albinos_rule]

Stop over-thinking it, and let your snake be a snake

[MontyAndMelissa]

Stop over-thinking it, and let your snake be a snake

I'm not talking about Monty specifically, I mean in general. It was an "I'm curious" post not an "I'm worried" post.

[The Golem]

I have a question that I'm pulling from a different thread (in case others won't see it).

Do snakes have the ability to remember?

Snakes are genius at snake-things. They survived for millions of years before being kept in rubbermaid bins.
I let my snake wander around the apartment and he has figured out 2 different routes to get from his enclosure to his favourite hiding spot. It's only about 12' away directly, but since he only travels along the walls it's an indirect 30 feet, as the snake crawls. He learned the routes on his own, remembers them and can move surprisingly quick at times.

Pathfinding? Yes.
Abuse and speciesist generalizing? I can't say.

[Lizardlicks]

Yooo, my biologist friend hooked me up with a link but it was a relatively recently published study and there isn't a PDF version on the full thing available, only a print copy for purchase. The abstract still has some interesting information though! Linky here.

[DVirginiana]

Yooo, my biologist friend hooked me up with a link but it was a relatively recently published study and there isn't a PDF version on the full thing available, only a print copy for purchase. The abstract still has some interesting information though! Linky here.

That looks interesting. I'll have to see if I can get it through my student login. It's been awhile since my undergrad neuro classes, but I've really missed reading about brains!
Ha... I love how they're still stumped by where exactly turtles belong phylogenetically.

[The Golem]

I feel like a huge part of the lack of studies on snakes is probably because they're deaf and solitary. So they can't communicate with sounds and they don't really have much desire to communicate at all. I mean, how do you reward an animal that just wants to be left alone? lol

I had a goldfish that would follow your hand and do little tricks for food once

Ball pythons aren't deaf.

Vibrating Skulls Help Snakes Hear:
http://news.sciencemag.org/2011/12/v...lp-snakes-hear

Before I ever thought about owning a snake, I was using Finis Neptune headphones for swimming - they use bone conduction and the music is clear and loud.

[The Golem]

I will definitely let you know. I'm thinking about how to do it without stressing him out

I have white and red lamps that alternate on 12 hour schedule, and am p. sure the snake knows and anticipates that at 7:00 pm the 'sun' will go down because he starts poking his head out of the head a few minutes before the lights change. 30 minutes later the UTH temp drops and he usually waits for that change before coming out of hide and getting active.

So maybe try using light/heat and their 'natural' day-night cycle to train. For instance;
Method: Every day when light changes from day to night, handle the snake for a few minutes (assuming your snake likes or tolerates being handled!).
After two weeks when the light changes, see if you can notice if the snake anticipates that he's going to be handled, and has been 'trained' to come to front of tub.

It's not much but gotta keep it simple, and without stressing the snake.

[thegamejr]

I guess another good example of their memory would be when moving them into a feeding tub and how most immediately go into food mode after a while of doing it.