Anyone else's ball scared of thunder?

[concinnusman]

Originally Posted by BarelyBreathing

Umm, no. Snakes can't hear.

That is a common misconception. That simply isn't true. Besides, we're talking about thunder here. Even if the snake didn't hear it, it can certainly feel it. Given the low frequencies of thunder, I'm sure the snake did hear it. Low frequencies travel through the jaw bone into the incomplete inner ear that snakes have, so they tend to hear low rumbling/music bass just fine and it usually frightens them. That's the sound they would hear when there is an approaching stampede of large mammals so it's understandable it would frighten them.

[BarelyBreathing]

They can't hear in the sense that mammals can.

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by BarelyBreathing

They can't hear in the sense that mammals can.

You didn't state that. You plainly just said "snakes can't hear."

If you know better, you should explain yourself better.

Snakes in fact can hear. It's a different pitch than mammals and I could very well be wrong on the next part, but it's a much lower pitch than we can hear.

[blindfireak40]

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

Snakes in fact can hear. It's a different pitch than mammals and I could very well be wrong on the next part, but it's a much lower pitch than we can hear.

IF this is indeed true, then that could be even more justification for a snake responding defensively to a thunderstorm--obviously, as a human, I don't know from experience whether there are "subsonic" components to thunder (nor have I read anything on the matter), but I could certainly believe it.

[BryanB]

My brain thinks it would be more of the vibration and pressure change more than the sound in any case.

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by BryanB

My brain thinks it would be more of the vibration and pressure change more than the sound in any case.

It is true. They feel the barometric pressure in storms. Every ball python breeder begs for storms.

[BarelyBreathing]

I've already stated they can't hear in the sense that mammals can.

[blindfireak40]

Originally Posted by BarelyBreathing

I've already stated they can't hear in the sense that mammals can.

Please bear in mind that none of this has followed as anything other than the education of other forum-goers; I at least am not seeking to prove anyone "wrong" per se. I suppose I cannot speak for all here involved. And it is a really interesting topic, which bears discussing! At the very least, it makes me feel less silly about naming my snake and using said name

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by BarelyBreathing

I've already stated they can't hear in the sense that mammals can.

Only after you were caught on passing well outdated information.

[rmfsnakes32]

I have a few snakes that act more flighty during storms or try and hide and refuse to eat. I assume barrometric pressure changes!

[BrownSugar92]

Originally Posted by rmfsnakes32

I have a few snakes that act more flighty during storms or try and hide and refuse to eat. I assume barrometric pressure changes!

See I knew i couldn't be the only one. It's not like she hisses and tries to run away, she becomes very nervous like and tries to find a hiding spot where she will only come out to peep. And I was talking to a girl at my job, one of her many corn snakes does it as well.

[BarelyBreathing]

I still believe that to be true, from what research I have done, Aaron. Yeah, there is some evidence that snakes can react to sounds, but it's still different than hearing in the sense that we know it.

[BarelyBreathing]

I still do it. Lol.

[Swany]

I defy anyone NOT to respond to the "walrus of lurv" :-)

[lady_bug87]

During a storm my lizards take cover. My snakes don't care