View Full Version : Who said snakes aren't smart?
Haven't posted in a while...but had to share this..
My Red Tailed Boa is about 4 1/2 feet so he's small enough to hide around the cage. I carry on my routine for 3 days assuming he's being elusive. Wrong. He's on the loose. Well the first place i look is in the feeding container. Sure enough i slide the cover over and there he is, sitting pretty, waiting for his rat...
infernalis
11-18-10, 12:25 PM
I have seen a few time snakes proved intelligent...
TylerWortman
11-18-10, 12:59 PM
hahaha thats pretty cool and funny
infernalis please elaborate, i would love to hear yours or any one else's experiences.
infernalis
11-18-10, 02:55 PM
I planned on it, I got disturbed while posting.
I feed my snakes in small poly boxes, I take them out of the cage rather than risking one swallowing it's cage bedding.
I swear that some of the snakes notice when I get the feeding boxes out, and start pacing the cage in anticipation of food.
A good friend of mine has many snakes too, Steve wears corrective glasses.
One time he went into his snake room wearing contact lenses instead of his glasses, and his snakes freaked out. They had never seen his face without the glasses on before.
Its common for a snake that escapes it's enclosure to remember where the escape point is and return to the same exact spot to attempt future escapes.
It's not rocket science nor intelligence on the same level as mammals, but they do learn by association where the food is coming from.
I have been on a lot of forums for a lot of years, and have heard a few stories of snakes that will tag one person but not another.
Great stories!
I too feel that snakes possess some type of intelligence, but as infernalis mentioned, not on the same level as mammals.
My older snakes all have learned that the only time they get food is when they are in their feeding boxes. They never exhibit "aggression" or defensive behavior and will only 'S' pose when in their feeding box waiting for me to deliver their dinner.
They also have 'learned' about exiting their home; they watch me undo the latches and know that they only have one way out. My BP is always scheming and trying to figure out a way out of his enclosure. The second the door is open, he is half way out of the cage!
Truly amazing creatures. I guess my stories aren't exhilarating, but I thought I'd share them nonetheless!
percey39
11-18-10, 06:05 PM
I have a couple of snakes that were quite sick when i got them and were extremely aggressive. Now that i have had them for a while and they are all better they have lost all aggression to me but constantly strike the glass when someone else is in the room or hiss and strike when being held by anyone else. As soon as they strike and start hissing i will grab them back of my friends and they settle down instantly. There is nothing wrong with their handling techniques just these 2 dont seem to like anyone but me. I suppose it could of been worse and they could of only hated me lol.
amber_lynn
11-18-10, 09:17 PM
I have a couple of snakes that were quite sick when i got them and were extremely aggressive. Now that i have had them for a while and they are all better they have lost all aggression to me but constantly strike the glass when someone else is in the room or hiss and strike when being held by anyone else. As soon as they strike and start hissing i will grab them back of my friends and they settle down instantly. There is nothing wrong with their handling techniques just these 2 dont seem to like anyone but me. I suppose it could of been worse and they could of only hated me lol.
seemingly because you saved them/nurtured them back to health, and know they can trust you where as some one else didnt take care of them. i know its not the same but my mom has a dog that is the same way...rescued and brought back to health and now only likes her (well up until she died :()
percey39
11-18-10, 09:29 PM
It could be but i think snakes have enough of a memory to remember a keeper, how you handle them and know that you are no longer a threat. They will never "like" you but will tolerate you a lot more than they will if your friends hold/handle them.
infernalis
11-18-10, 09:47 PM
Here is a little nugget to think over.
Most mammals must be taught how to survive.
Reptiles are born "pre-programmed"
Humans are supposed to be highly intelligent, but if you drop off a baby in the woods, it's as good as dead.
Egg laying reptiles drop the eggs and leave, but those babies are born with all the skills they need to grow up and flourish.
The instinct is ingrained into a tiny strand of DNA that carries more data than an average PC hard drive.
Now that's fascinating to me anyways.
presspirate
11-19-10, 04:55 AM
And, that's really something to think about isn't it? What if humans were born pre programmed with those same survival skills? The abilities to hide and hunt right out of the womb. How much different our world would be.
Lankyrob
11-19-10, 05:10 AM
And, that's really something to think about isn't it? What if humans were born pre programmed with those same survival skills? The abilities to hide and hunt right out of the womb. How much different our world would be.
Hmm, what a thought, we would have little or no need for "society" as we would be able to feed ourselves and keep ourselves warm and safe. Would we be like reptiles, meeting up to mate then moving on, never seeing our offspring? Would we still invent tools? Would this knowledge pass down through generations? OMG what a can of worms!! I could sit and think of the permetations all day!!
presspirate
11-19-10, 05:14 AM
Hmm, what a thought, we would have little or no need for "society" as we would be able to feed ourselves and keep ourselves warm and safe. Would we be like reptiles, meeting up to mate then moving on, never seeing our offspring? Would we still invent tools? Would this knowledge pass down through generations? OMG what a can of worms!! I could sit and think of the permetations all day!!
Exactly, would we better off or worse? With our Huge brains, and our inbred instincts for survival? :suspicious:
infernalis
11-19-10, 05:23 AM
Ah, but we can always trust a snake to be a snake.
along with "intelligence" there is the capacity to lie, cheat, steal, murder & rape.
presspirate
11-19-10, 05:27 AM
Ah, but we can always trust a snake to be a snake.
along with "intelligence" there is the capacity to lie, cheat, steal, murder & rape.
That is a very strong and valid point there mate. The ability to deceive and capacity for emotion is what puts us at the top of the food chain. But does it makes us better?
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