I understand, and acknowledge, what you state. I also know that a child has a different mental capacity than that of an animal - particularly that of a reptile. However, keep in mind that NO serious, long-term studies of reptile intelligence have been done. Proper intelligence testing must also be done with a Reptilian format & expected end result - not the same processes used for mammals. I know of one Gray Parrot with a larger vocabulary than that of many "Human" teenagers.



I disagree, however, with many Keepers about snake attitudes. I feel strongly, based on my experience, that reptiles LOVE naturalistic setups - whether or not plants are fake. They like being concealed, true, but only part of the time. They also like variety (all life forms seem to have this in common, even starfishes) and enjoy new things and exploration.



My adult female, which I suspect was wild-caught & poached, has two hide spots. One is a rock pile - just like she'd have in nature. She spends LITTLE time in either. Day & night, I usually see her on the branches, either basking or climbing around. (In the wild, their home range is at least 3-5 acres, one of the smallest ranges known for a snake. Rat snake home ranges can exceed 17 acres.)



I think that housing setup, accessories & space matter very much - with any captive. I also think that the common practice of a housing setup with only a hide box and water dish, with no branches, is a recipe for an unhealthy & bored reptile. In that scenario, it's only activity, it's only "fun", is to eat a frozen-thawed rodent every week or two. (That same existence for any Human would likely result in insanity, death - or a breakout.)



What I'd like to convey to other Herpers is this: How would I want to be treated as a captive? What considerations & accessories, along with outside exercise, would I want??

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