Study shows snake's ability to learn.

**Pareeeee** · 06-25-13, 07:41 AM

I know it's an old article, but an interesting read. I really wish more universities did intelligence trials on snakes. I think I would read each one.

What do you guys think of the article?
Snakes Show Surprising Capacity for Learning
(and please, PLEASE don't change the subject to the age-old "do snakes have emotions" argument, this topic is about snake memory/learning capability)

pdomensis · 06-25-13, 07:48 AM

Cool. I hadn't realized they were so visual. I want to see a picture of the snakes with their tinfoil hats!

bcr229 · 06-25-13, 08:09 AM

This would also explain why hook training is effective with snakes that have a strong prey drive. They quickly learn that hook = no food, so they chill out.

Amadeus · 06-25-13, 09:37 AM

I am not convinced...

Valvaren · 06-25-13, 11:33 AM

I had to clean one of my boas who had defecated WHILE food was dethawing. After 10 mins of fending him off with a hide from trying to eat me I finally decided I had to get him out whether I got bit or not. As soon as I got my hand on him to scoop him up he was out of feeding mode. Head went down and his whole posture changed and he came out fine. I don't think people give them enough credit. He went on to eat fine for me after I put him back.

Now I wouldn't try it with a full grown boa (hes 2 years old) but I do know that he knows the difference between when its food and when its coming out of this enclosure time. Which can be tied with what Bcr229 said about hooking.

Zoo Nanny · 06-25-13, 11:40 AM

Pareeeee This site is not related to snake research but you may find the articles interesting. They have a number of different studies going on with assorted lizards and amphibians.

Hot off the press! ?Learning outdoors: male lizards show flexible spatial learning under semi-natural conditions? The Lizard Lab

Amadeus · 06-25-13, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoo Nanny

Pareeeee This site is not related to snake research but you may find the articles interesting. They have a number of different studies going on with assorted lizards and amphibians.

Hot off the press! ?Learning outdoors: male lizards show flexible spatial learning under semi-natural conditions? The Lizard Lab

Lizards are a whole different ball game, but I'll read it anyway.

Starbuck · 06-25-13, 03:23 PM

Amadeus, I am interested to know why you 'are not convinced'. Certainly this article is only suggesting that snakes can respond to certain environmental cues repeatedly (at statistically greater than chance levels), but what is your evidence refuting this suggestion?
how would you define learning in a non-vocal animal, without the means to solve a tactile puzzle (like a varanid or octopus could)?

Amadeus · 06-25-13, 04:06 PM

In my opinion for something to "learn" it must be sentient being.

Example, it has been well documented that primates can learn and solve problems but we know that they have higher brain function and their own kind of emotion, but a snake is known to have limited cognitive capabilities and it is illogical to assume that they can ''learn" as we think of it but rather develop a means to continue living.

**Pareeeee** · 06-25-13, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amadeus

In my opinion for something to "learn" it must be sentient being.

Example, it has been well documented that primates can learn and solve problems but we know that they have higher brain function and their own kind of emotion, but a snake is known to have limited cognitive capabilities and it is illogical to assume that they can ''learn" as we think of it but rather develop a means to continue living.

Dogs learn, rats learn, cats learn, ravens learn, dolphins learn, none of which are "sentient" beings.

Amadeus · 06-25-13, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pareeeee

Dogs learn, rats learn, cats learn, ravens learn, dolphins learn, none of which are "sentient" beings.

You didn't get it....

**Pareeeee** · 06-25-13, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amadeus

You didn't get it....

Oh I do get what you said. I just disagree with it. I think we will have to agree to disagree on this topic. IMO snakes obviously "learn" - not to the extent that mammals and birds do - but they do remember things, such as feeding tongs mean "food" and as the article stated, how to locate the hiding spot quickly from memory. The article didn't try to convince us that they are as smart as primates, but that they have good memory-recall abilities. It makes sense, having good memory of certain things can increase your odds of survival.

PS: I enjoy the way you insert trekkie grammar and words into your sentences, only another trekkie (moi) would pick up on because I do it myself.

Mikoh4792 · 06-25-13, 08:53 PM

Doesn't any living thing with memory have the ability to learn? No matter how simple it's memory is, it's still learning isn't it?

Amadeus · 06-25-13, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pareeeee

Oh I do get what you said. I just disagree with it. I think we will have to agree to disagree on this topic. IMO snakes obviously "learn" - not to the extent that mammals and birds do - but they do remember things, such as feeding tongs mean "food" and as the article stated, how to locate the hiding spot quickly from memory. The article didn't try to convince us that they are as smart as primates, but that they have good memory-recall abilities. It makes sense, having good memory of certain things can increase your odds of survival.

PS: I enjoy the way you insert trekkie grammar and words into your sentences, only another trekkie (moi) would pick up on because I do it myself.

Hahah ok,

The M class planet 2 light years from our current position is inhabited by a race of proto-Vulcan Humanoids....

I couldn't resist.

bcr226 · 06-28-13, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amadeus

In my opinion for something to "learn" it must be sentient being.

Example, it has been well documented that primates can learn and solve problems but we know that they have higher brain function and their own kind of emotion, but a snake is known to have limited cognitive capabilities and it is illogical to assume that they can ''learn" as we think of it but rather develop a means to continue living.

Snakes learn. Like my wife said above, look at hook training. It's not a suggestion, it's a fact that it works. The snake learns to respond in certain ways to specific stimuli. It's not a natural instinct, it's a learned behavior.

This is a great subject for a science project for my daughter. I'll bring it up with her.