Study: Snakes Are Social, Family Loving

[ydnic]

Feb. 13, 2004 — Snakes lead rich social lives and often bond with certain family members, a new study of rattlesnakes suggests.

The research dispels the stereotype of snakes, particularly venomous ones, as antisocial loners. Instead, like humans and many other creatures, snakes seem to benefit from quality time spent with members of their own species.

For the study, the litters of three timber rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus), born to females caught in the wild, were observed in a laboratory setting.


http://dsc.discovery.com/news/briefs...209/snake.html

Interresting...:rsmile:

[bistrobob85]

Yeah, pretty interesting!!! I would be pretty curious to see a few dozens ratsnakes basking together, that would be a pretty cool vision

[Big_V]

Its weird cuz this study is exactly what has been said on documentaries for years. Im pretty sceptical about this study though.
"For the study, the litters of three timber rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus), born to females caught in the wild, were observed in a laboratory setting." ...then goes on to say, "When resting, female snakes would coil themselves next to their sisters. Demonstrating perhaps the snake version of a hug, female rattlers also at times would entwine their bodies around those of their sisters."

They are captive hatched and live in a labratory not the wild so maybe because they are in such close proximity they do this but there is alot more space in the wild id say.

"Before going into these dens in the winter, and after coming out in the spring, males and females will spend several days basking around the entrances to the dens in groups." I wouldnt say this means social behaviour but more instinct to prepare to winter. Good spots to winterover arent that easy to find so I wouldnt say this is social group behaviour.

[Artemis]

in terms of captive husbandry, though, its still not a very good idea to keep snakes together, methinks...

[hooter]

Old news...

Posted before!

[marisa]

Hooter why don't you take your negative, repeatitive attitude somewhere else. I hope a mod PMs you for constantly butting into threads where you have nothing helpful to share.

No one needs YOUR kind of help, which is really none at all.

Marisa