Snakes are a balance of instinct, which guides learned behavior. Yes, they are born knowing what to eat. But how they learn the rest is what is completely lost in biology(that's changing now)



From 18 years on one field study, what we learned is to ask better questions, and those better questions are what your hinting at. The passing of learned knowledge. The problem is, current biology does not embrace any methods of study that will reveal that type of information.

A hint, field works was collect and preserve. As that slowed down, it became, pit tags and telemetry, both of which are totally invasive(behavior changing) when considering behavior.

Back to your question, Its our opinion, as there is not a method to prove, that scent bonding is the key to passing learned behavior. That is, as mentioned, neonates bond to the scent of the female, and eachother, like hatchlings of many many other types. When they hatch, they do not leave right away, they stay until after they shed, up to 10 days. Those ten days, is the time to bond. When they do leave they follow those scent trails left by the mother, to places of need. Like where to go in winter, summer, heavy rains, drought, etc. Where to go in breeding season etc. And follow eachothers scent trails. An example, I have routinely found sexual pairs of neonates hanging out together. Of many species.

wandering in nature is extremely dangerous and a huge energy expense. Those that fail to find established resources, are what we call transients. Or what I call them, gooners. They simply are gooning around waiting for death to settle on them.

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