Posted by:
FR
at Mon May 4 12:44:38 2009 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by FR ]
In a conversation way down below, a biologist stated that snakes do not have the brain capacity to learn. That was in context to giving them choices in captivity. He stated, why give them choices, they do not make them.
But nevermind that. My experience with captives is that they not only learn, but are very good at learning. To a point of knowing my patterns(better then I) They seem to know when I am going to feed them. Etc etc.
But again, thats not actually the point of this post.
I also work with reptiles in the field. In most cases, they learn to avoid us. Or at least try. But other then that, we try to not alter their behaviors.
We do wonder how they know how to utilize their entire range. You know, go here in the winter, there in the spring, somewhere else when it rains hard, or where to go when its dry. As well as how they know where and when to find food. They do appear to find prey, without problem. Often utilizing different prey types.
But again, not the actual subject of this post.
This post is about wild snakes that live on my property. There are a number of them that "learn" to feed at the same place, year in and year out. They go to certain "learned" places when they are hungry.
Not only do they return to these places, but they also seem to learn about me, a-friggin-gain. This Black coachwhip is on its second year feeding(begging food) It seems to know when to pop up and when not too. It will wait for me, or pop up after I open the facility door. Once it senses the door opening, it will not retreat or run, even if my dog is with me. It first started to feed off tongs, now it takes food from my hands. I hope one day to have it climb up my legs for food. Mind you, a coachwhip, which are very wary snakes.
This diamondback is on its third year of feeding at the exact same spot. It shares that spot with another diamondback thats on its fifth year of feeding there. Both recognize me, as oppposed to other people. They come to me, and not others. hmmmmmm
I guess what I am asking is, IS THIS NOT LEARNING. As I am not a inherent part of their behavior. In fact, snakes are not known to use other animals to find their prey. Cheers
I do have many more pics, including some from past years.
[ Hide Replies ]
 Snakes and learning - FR, Mon May 4 12:44:38 2009
- RE: Snakes and learning - charleshanklin, Mon May 4 14:34:20 2009
- RE: Snakes and learning - Andres, Mon May 4 18:33:51 2009
- RE: Snakes and learning, todays update - FR, Mon May 4 19:16:32 2009
- RE: Snakes and learning - kevine, Mon May 4 19:29:03 2009
- RE: Snakes and learning - Br8knitOFF, Mon May 4 21:27:44 2009
- RE: Snakes and learning - zach_whitman, Mon May 4 23:07:15 2009
- May be coolest post ever - monklet, Tue May 5 09:55:29 2009
- learning - JYohe, Tue May 5 19:12:09 2009
- as is the case.... - CrimsonKing, Tue May 5 22:30:31 2009
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