Yet another snake enrichment thread...

[REM955]

This has stuck in my head since I recall reading here someone saying that only certain kinds of snakes can actually gain from any kind of activity. I believe the example given was those with burrowing behavior. I don't recall it being called out, that specific detail.
Is there any validity to it? Is there any bonus to stuffing my Woma's hides with Sphagnum (She has pulled it out of her hide before) or bedding at all?

[dannybgoode]

Oooo, let me have a dig around. I've been collecting papers on this as I've been researching this area. In a nutshell though all the studies I've been made aware of clearly show that snakes do benefit from enriched environments.

For example there was one experiment where they kept some snakes in sterile environments and some in enriched, naturalistic environments. They then released them in to the wild and only those kept in the naturalistic environments survived.

I am now working on my boa and carpet enclosures accordingly as the evidence is quite compelling.

I will post up some papers when I find them. Another good resource is Advanced Herp Husbandry on Facebook. All the papers are in their file repository and some very experienced zoologists and other scientists are on there.

[dannybgoode]

Just found this which is interesting on the subject of odour enrichment:

Experiments of Odor Enrichments Affect Behavior of Species of Snakes

Mao Jie Zuo Zhili Yang Xiaoyi Cheng Jian Xie Yi (Chengdu Zoo & Chengdu Wildlife Research Institute,Chengdu,610081,China)

From March to November in 2010,behaviors of snake spontaneous motions were observed and contrasted before and after odor enrichments on Python molarus, Python molurus bivittatus, Lampropeltis triangulum and Lampropeltis getula californiae in Chengdu Zoo amphibian reptile hall. Rabbit blood and tea bags were used for odor enrichments and behavior observation experiments on Python molurus and Python molurus bivittatus in captivity. Tea bags and white mice were used for the experiment on Lampropeltis triangulum and Lampropeltis getula californiae. The results showed that foraging and exploratory behaviors of snakes were reinforced by nonscheduled and different odor stimulation,and thereby motionless behavior was improved. Their spontaneous motions were raised, avoiding obesity and illness, which was helpful for their health condition. Snakes in motion displayed to better effect. So odor enrichment programs could be popularized and applied to other snakes in captivity.
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I'll find some on other enrichment in due course...

[Andy_G]

They like tight and secure hides so asding substrrate would increase that. Above and beyond that im not sure and have my doubts but am always willing to learn if someone were to post appropriate and unbiased studies.

[dannybgoode]

This is where I was recommended to start. More of a summary but links through to enough scientific papers to keep you in reading for months!

Legless Army — Environmental Enrichment For Reptiles ; What? Why?...

As I say, enough to convince me basic is not enough. Ymmv of course

[REM955]

Interesting.

While handling Cuddles I have been offering her different objects around the room for different scents for her to sample. I suppose it would be best to offer concentrated material.

However, I can imagine my parents coming over and asking why I am wasting teabags.

As for physical movement, I have been forcing her to move from one hand to the other by slowly loosening support for her. Not far from a surface, of course. Now I'm thinking about playing with those hamster tubes, but I don't think I could get her out then.