A.C. depends on how you define ear, but you are absolutely correct. You might be interested in this ,
http://jeb.biologists.org/content/215/2/331.abstract
OP in my experience the behaviour in a royal is not food oriented, the snake is not in it is feeding 'mode' but rather is just curious.
Reading a snakes behaviour is very complex. Feeding behaviour is usually associated with rapid tong flicks and S curved and jerky movements, the mark of tension, the preparedness of a strike. Tense like a coiled spring.
My personal snakes I have a few if I enter the enclosure and do something (replace water bowls for example) they immediately come out to explore what is different and see what is going on so to speak. This behaviour is tongue flicks but not as rapid and a easy calm exploration gentle slow movements with liquid like precision.
Royals and more generally many snakes are very curious animals, and will explore new objects and different smells. I have a combination of enclosure systems, racks, commercial enclosures, tanks (side turned), and custom designed enclosures. I have found this type of inquisitive behaviour tends to be associated with enclosure systems that are more open and have more 'stuff' in them. This seems promote investigation, personally I rotate my snakes in and out of the rack and I find they become more alert and better feeders when in enclosures. I don't think every royal keeper sees this behaviour because some enclosure systems do not promote it.
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