Enrichment?

[Minkness]

Ok, so I am not trying to start am argument, but I am curious if snakes really do benifit from enrichment. If course they will live just fine in a bare tub with a water dish and fed f/t things

I ask because I had a few of my snakes out today and one didn't really look around much. She actually just tucked her head under my arm and went to sleep lol. But another was all about periscoping and looking around, showing 'interest' in things around him. He wasn't nervous or jumpy about it.

Both are ball pythons.

But then I think about my carpet and boas when they are out. In their emclosures they are little more than lumps. But when out they are very 'interested' in things.

Maybe interested is the wrong word, but I don't know a better word at this moment.

So, opinions or research on this? Is it good to get snakes out of their basic enclosures for something 'different'?

[ThirteenRavens]

I guess it would depend on the nature of the snake itself? If it shows a lack of interest, maybe not so much, but if it does show interest then maybe some sort of "enrichment" wouldn't hurt? I know I get bored seeing the same thing day in and day out, but snakes aren't people, nor are they mammals so hard to say exactly?

[REM955]

I want to look at it from a survival point of view.
Being moved means a new situation they have to feel out. Much like moving into a new cage, necessity must be figured. Heat and shelter are the first things that comes to mind.
The only beneficial outside stuff I have heard about is getting outside gives them UV, and that supposedly corresponds to a better immune system.

But as for behavior, I have not seen anything.

[Andy_G]

Enrichment with most reptiles, especially snakes, is for benefit of the owner, which there's nothing wrong with.

[Minkness]

You really think so Andy? Why is that?

[Andy_G]

Similar to emotions, they just don't have the "goods" to be stimulated by enrichment. They survey territory to look for places to hide just as a new acquisition does in a new cage. Snakes for the most part, except for those of which that are active hunters that eat a lot and have a faster metabolism and are active because of that evolutionary adaptation, will move very little or in a predictible pattern. If enrichment made a difference, then it's something they would desire and simple setups would cause a lot of problems because of this desire and logically to me they would have to be abl to feel joy as I think it's all linked together...but they don't feel joy...at least not as we know it...

That IS just my opinion though...looking forward to other responses.

[EL Ziggy]

I'm inclined to agree with you Andy. If a person can raise a semi-arboreal carpet python in a tub with not much space and it lives as long, eats and breeds as well as another carpet in a larger pvc enclosure with lots of climbing/perching options then I can't say one has a better quality of life. I think they're more wired for basic survival needs like food, water, and shelter. And they can obviously thrive in various environments as long as those simple needs are met. That said, I do prefer to give them the most comfortable and enriched environment that I can, even if they can't appreciate it. :)

[Minkness]

Ah, makes sense. And I'm with you Ziggy haha.

[bigsnakegirl785]

There has been research showing that reptiles may benefit from enrichment more than we would think, and when not offered a chance to show species-appropriate behaviors it can atrophy and limit brain function, such as a semi-arboreal snake being denied climbing opportunities.

This is especially true for non-snake species, where toys and puzzles are utilized quite well! (This includes chelonians.)

Here's a Tumblr post with some resources to read. If nothing else, this starts a discussion on whether or not we're providing enough for our animals. (I know it's Tumblr, but it's easier linking to this post with a bunch of resources in one place.)

Legless Army ? Environmental Enrichment For Reptiles ; What? Why?... (http://rainbowsnakes.tumblr.com/post/119229812584/environmental-enrichment-for-reptiles-what-why)

And another link.

http://www.enrichment.org/MiniWebs/Australasia/workshop01.pdf

In lieu of exposing our solitary animals to one another, a few people have suggested putting shed skins of healthy individuals in the cages of another for them to investigate (ymmv here haven't tried it myself - don't really see the need in solitary animals myself).

[Andy_G]

Cool reads BSG. I'd agree with many species, specifically those of which are more social in nature, to benefit from some possible kind of enrichment, advanced specialized species such as varanids for example that have needs to dig burrows and without these conditions offered they simply don't thrive...but I am still not convinced in regards to our no legged friends. :)

[bigsnakegirl785]

Cool reads BSG. I'd agree with many species, specifically those of which are more social in nature, to benefit from some possible kind of enrichment, advanced specialized species such as varanids for example that have needs to dig burrows and without these conditions offered they simply don't thrive...but I am still not convinced in regards to our no legged friends. :)

The links are more for thought than convincing, I personally do prefer to offer enrichment to my snakes. That just takes the form of climbing opportunities, places to hide, plenty of room, and I like to have them hunt for their food, anything that would get them acting as close to wild snakes as I can replicate. Not too much else to it, I'm not really convinced on any socialization stimulation like the scents.

[Albert Clark]

I think enrichment is tied into exploring and excersize. All three of those are definitely a plus to a captive animal. However little, or far and between it has to be physically and psychologically beneficial to a animal to have it incorporated into their lives.

[RAD House]

I am with Big snake girl on this one, in that I think we tend to underestimate the mental capacity of our wards. The reptile brain certainly is different than our own and I think this makes it quite hard to understand them. Here is a study with rat snakes that says enrichment does improve their lives.
Environmental enrichment alters the behavioral profile of ratsnakes (Elaphe). - PubMed - NCBI (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16956315)
My black rat snake definitely appreciates all the enrichment I have afforded her.
I definitely see different personalities in my snakes even with in the same species. For example sometimes when I work in my office I pull open my ball python tubs slightly. If all they were after was a place to hide they would just remain in their hides with in their tubs. Some of them do, but about half of them come out of their own accords. Even more these brave souls tend to fight going back into their homes much more. I am of the belief that enrichment is beneficial for both physical and mental exercise. I also will say that based off of their natural history many snakes do not benefit from UV light.