I know they are smarter than most people think. My girl is always amazing me. And how she has escaped twice with the lid locks on and books set on the lid, I may never know. I introduced her to a new friend, who used to have snakes, and she went right around his arm, and wouldn't leave him. where as I have family that is afraid of all snakes, and around them she gets nervous, like she just wants to slither away....Also she has never realy balled up for either myself or my husband, she is always streached out.