Hi, First, there does not have to be a lesson for you. So don't look for one if you do not see one. This is only about observation.
I do field work with snakes, in all cases, field methods are highly intrusive. That is, we totally interfere. We(99% of field studies) manipulate in a direct physical manner. We poke, prod, operate, move, palpate and install radios and whatnot in them, then put them back and write what they do as normal. The information taken is called normal(natural). In a sense it is, its normal for an animal with human forced interactions. In this case, we use an attraction, to draw the animals to us, and not chase them. So we get to see really cool things.
An example of what happened is, this individual the female) left for a part of a day and brought back her mate. The same individual that was with here in the fall. Hmmmmmmmm consider, there are many coachwhips living right here. Even in that same hole. But no, she attracts the same male. I find that interesting. Also, that male is very similar to her, hmmmmmmmm same basic color, and same basic size. They appear to be first year breeders, as they were subadults last fall. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm. This is something we consistantly see. you know, matched pairs. Not sure what to make of it, but will keep looking.
About the snake crawling on me, that is to gain trust. So I can watch what they are doing without them running away, so far, IT WORKED. As I could get close to them without them. running for their lives. How many coachwhips let you walk up to them?????
Sir, there is so much more, but I think you need to think about this first. Consider you do not have to care about any of this. As its not for you. Unless its of interest to you. By the way, the information about your cage stuff is here. As they without question are active at certain times and temps and use certain places and conditions. All you have to do is ask. Consider, the key to observation is to ask the right questions, not to just see. Cheers
That information is written in a scientific manner, and YOU READ IT AND YOU BELIEVE IT. You believe it, because thats how its done. Yet those methods have noting to do with the animals we study. Those methods are totally based on what HAS been done and how to gather as much data in the shortest amount of time without concern for the animal.
With behavior(ethlogy) you have two basic traits, to attract and to repell. This is what animals do. The standard method of study is to repell the animals. In this case, I am attracting these snakes.
By feeding them, that is a natural behavior(to feed) They use a natural behavior, to include a food source in their range of behaviors. The lesson is, if you do not repell them, and attract them, you may get lucky and see "other" natural behaviors.
The problem is, we know very little about how any snake lives. How they associate with others of their same species, how they pair, if they bond. Yet, when I do not interfere, we see some strange things. Like what I am REPORTING.
