Great post extremely well written. I would agree with all you said regarding herp intelligence and even emotions. I swear I see my coachwhips thinking about "things." If we watch our snakes closely we can see fear, contentment, hunger, of course this requires some human intelligence also.

Some even exhibit separation anxiety. Reading on the Pits forum of pits kept together for long periods then being separated and showing signs of stress. Put them back together and they settle back down. Definitely some sign of emotional distress.

I saw that program on crows and was fascinated by their use of tools and problem solving. It reminded me of the rats in a maze experiments.

Maybe you should consider doing some testing of snake intelligence. With your writing skills along with observation I'm sure it would be excellent reading.





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BigT
There is a difference between ignorance and stupidity. The ignorant can be taught, stupidity is beyond our control.
1.2 P. m. melanoleucus B/W N. J. Northern Pines
1.2 P. d. deppei Mexican Pines
2.2 P. l. lineaticollis Linis or Lined Pines
1.2 P. m. lodingi Black Pines
1.1 Drymarchon melenurus Blacktail Cribo
1.2 M. s. cheynei Jungle Carpet
2.6 L. p. pyromelana Arizona Mt. Kings
1.1 L. g. californiae B/W Cali kings
0.0.3 M. f. flagellum Eastern Coachwhips
1.2 G. m. bottegoi Western Plated lizards

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