iv'e always wondered...

[Klaire]

For snakes such as mercy whom are nocturnal, do you think they enjoy getting put outside a little bit to roam around in the grass etc and taste things or do you think they would much prefer to be left alone of their branch in their tank during the day??

[toddnbecka]

I'd think the individual animal is the main factor there. Our jungle/IJ cross is more tolerant of handling in general, and will come right out when the top is opened if he wants some exercise, regardless of the time of day. The smaller (and 1 year younger) IJ is typically quite content to be left alone in her tank. She has calmed down quite a bit, doesn't strike defensively like she did at first, bur she clearly prefers to be on her own rather than being held, and will quickly and willingly go back into her tank if given the choice.

[jpsteele80]

I think all snakes like to explore. its just in there nature but there are those aboreal species that just love to sit and perch all day

[Aaron_S]

I think all snakes like to explore. its just in there nature but there are those aboreal species that just love to sit and perch all day

Actually exploring isn't in most snakes nature. Snakes prefer hiding places and feeling secure. They usually only go out to find food, a mate, maybe water or a new hiding place.

[jpsteele80]

Actually exploring isn't in most snakes nature. Snakes prefer hiding places and feeling secure. They usually only go out to find food, a mate, maybe water or a new hiding place.

i think it depends on what species it is, if your an inland taipan or a 20ft retic you don't really have many enemies and there seen out in the wide open all the time

[Aaron_S]

i think it depends on what species it is, if your an inland taipan or a 20ft retic you don't really have many enemies and there seen out in the wide open all the time

As I said "isn't in most snakes nature". Meaning there's a few who don't care.

Also difficult for a 20 foot retic to hide haha.

[bigsnakegirl785]

Most don't seem to mind, but I also tend to bring in my snakes if they show signs of preferring to hide.

For example, Bud, my ball python will spend 99.99% of his time outside, "regally" periscoping his surroundings, and he might crawl off somewhere else to stand up and look around. If he crawls under a bush or the grill or whatever, then I know he's not in the mood and I bring him in. Due to his finicky feeding, I've completely stopped taking him out the past ~2 years, and rarely ever handle him.

River generally crawls all over the place, checking out this bush or that pile of rocks, she might come back and crawl on me, just all over the place. So like the time she curled up under a swath of grass to sleep, I know she doesn't really feel like doing anything and I put her up.

My boa Cloud would dig up under the grass when he was smaller, but nowadays all he can do is crawl into a bush. lol

Generally, my snakes seem pretty open to coming outside, whether or not they'd prefer to be inside, I'll never know, but they don't seem to mind the occasional excursion outside anyways.

[Klaire]

Interesting read of comments, thanks everyone!! :)

[Zelg]

I only have a BP but sometimes I just flat out feel bad taking him out of his enclosure and he cant wait to get back in and go back into his hide. Though, other times he really tries to not go back in and I kind of have to force it, lead his head in and then scoop his body off of my hand and shut the doors before he tries slinking back out. Every now and then I take him out and let him roam around on the floor but hes always inclined to find a dark hole...whether it be under my legs or trying to get into a closet or behind something.

[Andy_G]

i think it depends on what species it is, if your an inland taipan or a 20ft retic you don't really have many enemies and there seen out in the wide open all the time

Those two in particular are snakes that actively hunt. I don't (and will never) buy the "they just want to explore" side of the coin, I am sorry to say. Snakes are always active for a reason, which would primarily be something causing them discomfort. It comes down to food, sex, security/comfort, or thermoregulation/basking. For example, I don't think they climb trees for fun, but they do because that's where the food is or perhaps it is a safer spot to bask. More active species always tend to have a faster metabolism and/or are active hunters vs. ambush predators...these species therefore require more food, hence being more active. Furthermore, those very few species of which have no natural predators would most certainly be found more often out in the open simply because they probably feel no need to hide...found in the open doesn't necessarily mean that they would be active, they could be just sitting there without a care. Evolution has, over a LONG period of time, programmed these animals to conserve energy, so it would make little sense to them to just "go fer a rip" without an instinctual reason to do so.

In regards to the original question; the captive snakes we are used to dealing with do not perceive us as a threat, so everything that we do with them is tolerated, but not necessarily enjoyed. I do believe that snakes are more intelligent and may have a greater capacity than what was long previously thought, but I also think that there are limitations to the reasons why they perform certain actions, as well as the stimuli they can perceive.

[macandchz]

mac likes to be taken out for short periods. he doesn't seem to like the carpet but crawls all over a colorful bedspread. if he hasn't had enough outside time, he lets me know it when i try to put him back. he'll hook over the end of his enclosure and make it hard to get him back in.