Intelligent snakes

[Billy29]

I hear some people claim retics are very intelligent and recognize their owners. Now living in the great state on NY I am not able to own one of these animals and quite frankly they get too big for my taste. What other species of Python are known for their intelligence? I have not seen too much coming from my Ball python.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[artgecko]

carpets appear to be more intelligent than BPs... Now, what we consider as signs of intelligence may not truly demonstrate higher intelligence, but at least appears as such to us (the snake showing more interest in its' surroundings, not reacting with as much fear, etc.). Many colubrids also demonstrate these signs as well... i.e. bull snakes, kings, etc. I consider my boas pretty intelligent too.. They do not show as much activity as the carpets do, and some argue that because they are slower to move / react that they are not as intelligent, but I would easily say they are smarter than BPs.

If you're looking for a little more interactivity / activity, then a carpet would be a safe bet. Just be warned, they are nippy as babies and you have to tame them more so than BPs.

[jclaiborne]

I would also add that most of the Aussie Pythons not just carpets seem to be more active and interactive with their surroundings. Every time I enter the room my childrens python will come up to the glass and "follow" me back and forth. Like artgecko said I don't know if this is actually a sign of higher intelligence but the Aussies are definitely more interactive than a BP.

[JoshSloane]

I feel like that with snakes, people associate a snake's eye movements, and general activity level in the presence of humans, with intelligence. While I do think that retics tend to be a bit 'brighter,' I think its more that they make associations quickly, and have a better sense of 'cunning' than other snakes. Looking into a retics eyes always freaks me out a little, it does seem like they are calculating their next move.

[frostysBP]

I feel like that with snakes, people associate a snake's eye movements, and general activity level in the presence of humans, with intelligence. While I do think that retics tend to be a bit 'brighter,' I think its more that they make associations quickly, and have a better sense of 'cunning' than other snakes. Looking into a retics eyes always freaks me out a little, it does seem like they are calculating their next move.

Yea retics eyes will follow you like a chamelion hunting a cricket

Sent from my LGL15G using Tapatalk

[Gio]

I would also add that most of the Aussie Pythons not just carpets seem to be more active and interactive with their surroundings. Every time I enter the room my childrens python will come up to the glass and "follow" me back and forth. Like artgecko said I don't know if this is actually a sign of higher intelligence but the Aussies are definitely more interactive than a BP.

I have read up on this and heard the same from owners. I also witness my coastal's activity level.

Scrubs, Olives, and Water pythons are all quite active.

Not colubrid level, but as far as pythons go they are busy.

Folks on the Aussie boards think the scrubs are very similar to the retics.

I also agree with Josh, being "active" isn't really a measure of intelligence.

A boa constrictor will find an animal trail and set up camp and lie motionless. There is a study that I can't find at the moment where a BC was observed for 3 months in the same spot.


It could be considered intelligent hunting, or maybe not. However one determines "measurable intelligence" in specific snakes still a ways off.

There is an inconclusive study in THE BIOLOGY OF BOA AND PYTHONS book that was preformed on carpet pythons. The scientists did not get the results they were after and needed more time and more specimens.

I'm betting there are more studies out there or in the works, but for the most part, they are all pretty hardwired the same with the exception of maybe the "lesser" blind snakes or thread snakes that are the most primitive.

The King Cobra is supposed to be the most advanced I believe.

[Billy29]

Honestly I'm sticking with ball pythons for now. There is something about a retics eyes that is showing something, kinda freaky but cool. Rainbow boas have a cool look but I'm not sure how smart they are next to a retic?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[chaples84]

Another intelligent snake that's highly active is not in the python family but the colubrid family, drymarchon genus...yellow tail cribo,uni colored and the black tail cribo..there related to the eastern indigo also...very amazing snakes...trying to get myself a pair of yellow tails hopefully soon...you don't hear to much about these guys..you can actually feed these guys a varied diet of fish other snakes chicken necks and hearts...pretty interesting if you ask me..yes because of the varied diet they do tend to make alot more of a mess when they take a number 2 in there
Cage..way more smelly then a plan rodent diet..but if you get over that there very rewarding to work with and have In your collection.

Sent from my XT1028 using Tapatalk

[Prahanien]

+1 on carpet. My jungle loves to explore, and he really likes faces for some reason.. if I hold him, he periscopes right at my face. He does it to guests I'll have over as well. He either does that or full on wants to climb on your face. I'm not sure if that's intelligence or just silliness but he's certainly entertaining and active!