Woma intelligence

PatrickT · 06-07-15, 01:34 AM

Sice i got my woma roughly 3 weeks ago the one big suprise she has for me is her incredible intelligence. She is nothing like the snakes i knew before her.

I give you a few examples. When i come into the room she looks out of her cave. When she spots me she looks what i´m doing and when i open the door she comes out and climbs on my arm then rests on my hand to be carried around.

Another interesting thing i saw was that she found the hole where the cables enter her enclosure. Its big enough for her to stick her head out. When she saw me she quickly retreated into her hideout. I was kinda shocked because i feared she could escape through that or get stuck. So i closed it with styropor foam. She then repeatedly moved there too look what happened to that hole.

She clearly can recognize me and my face. She reacts very positive when i approach her but she is more skittish regarding people she doesn´t know.

It is hard to tell but she is by far th most intelligent and curious reptile i know beside some monitor lizards. Almost mammal like.

Did anyone of you guys can notice the same? I´m really amazed.

Derek Roddy · 06-07-15, 05:46 AM

Wait til you get to interact with a BHP. Gonna blow your mind. Haha.

D

REM955 · 06-07-15, 08:48 AM

I am curious about both Aspidites. I don't suppose there is some measure as to how much their "intellect" surpasses other snake species/ classifications? I know facial recognition is something that those in the Hot Keeper sub-forum talk about and mention as one clear difference.

PatrickT · 06-07-15, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REM955

I am curious about both Aspidites. I don't suppose there is some measure as to how much their "intellect" surpasses other snake species/ classifications? I know facial recognition is something that those in the Hot Keeper sub-forum talk about and mention as one clear difference.

I can only talk about the woma and have no experience regarding bhp. My woma clearly is able to distinguish various persons by their face. She acts like no other snake i know.

Its also like she knows how feeding goes on. I usually put her in a separate box when feeding her. I the give her the mouse. The first time i did it she attacked the mouse like any snake does, bite it and hold it constricting. She noticed that the mouse is dead within seconds and started eating. At the 2nd and 3rd feeding session she did not attack and constrict in any way. She simply took the mouse and started eating. It looks for me like she simply is able to put her intellectual capacity over instinct.

jossh27 · 06-07-15, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatrickT

I can only talk about the woma and have no experience regarding bhp. My woma clearly is able to distinguish various persons by their face. She acts like no other snake i know.

Its also like she knows how feeding goes on. I usually put her in a separate box when feeding her. I the give her the mouse. The first time i did it she attacked the mouse like any snake does, bite it and hold it constricting. She noticed that the mouse is dead within seconds and started eating. At the 2nd and 3rd feeding session she did not attack and constrict in any way. She simply took the mouse and started eating. It looks for me like she simply is able to put her intellectual capacity over instinct.

That's Very cool. I hope more people can cine in on this and give their experience with it. Maybe derek can shed some light on woma vs. Bhp's stove he works with both species

pinefamily · 06-07-15, 05:56 PM

BHP's are generally more intelligent, and more placid, than woma's. And you always have to be aware of a woma's food response.

Derek Roddy · 06-07-15, 06:09 PM

Yeah, both Aspidities are awesome snakes.

BHPs seem to be even more in tune with their surroundings a little more than the Womas. Maybe because they're at a higher level on the food chain than the womas?

Given the type of animals they are by nature. It would makes sense that they are much more aware of things in their daily lives, based out of instinct.

For example, A carpet python is an ambush predator. It for the most part sits and waits until a prey item becomes close enough for a meal. My carpets will stand guard at their water bowls knowing that prey needs water and will come drink. If they don't have too, they won't wander too far from a reliable food source.

BHP and Womas on the other hand are active hunters and, are out in the open most of their lives looking for food. They have a lot more opportunities for being prey'd on themselves or other encounters that another species might not ever get because of its instincts.
This makes Aspidities much more in tune with what is happening around them than an animal that lives under "cover and ambush".

I love working with them. I mean, I still have some carpet pythons and a few other species but, if I could only keep one group... it would be Aspidities. Hands down.

D

PatrickT · 06-07-15, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek Roddy

Yeah, both Aspidities are awesome snakes.

BHPs seem to be even more in tune with their surroundings a little more than the Womas. Maybe because they're at a higher level on the food chain than the womas?

Given the type of animals they are by nature. It would makes sense that they are much more aware of things in their daily lives, based out of instinct.

For example, A carpet python is an ambush predator. It for the most part sits and waits until a prey item becomes close enough for a meal. My carpets will stand guard at their water bowls knowing that prey needs water and will come drink. If they don't have too, they won't wander too far from a reliable food source.

BHP and Womas on the other hand are active hunters and, are out in the open most of their lives looking for food. They have a lot more opportunities for being prey'd on themselves or other encounters that another species might not ever get because of its instincts.
This makes Aspidities much more in tune with what is happening around them than an animal that lives under "cover and ambush".

I love working with them. I mean, I still have some carpet pythons and a few other species but, if I could only keep one group... it would be Aspidities. Hands down.

D

great explanation why both aspidites seem to be so intelligent compared to other snakes.

smoothie4l · 06-08-15, 08:23 AM

My woma does the same thing, I find they are very inquisitive. Always wondering what you're up to.
Curiosity is a sign of intelligence, it's the want to learn something new and make discoveries. It would be a dream to own a BHP but that's for a later time when I have the income.

Obsidian_Dragon · 06-09-15, 09:21 AM

I think some of it is an "active, hunting snake" thing. I've noticed curiosity and facial recognition in both of my more active snakes. Well, okay, less curiosity on the part of my garter, but they're so small it's not surprising they're more nervous than curious. The Russian is SUPER curious--anything new in her enclosure gets instantly investigated, and people are GREAT to stare at.

Womas sound enjoyable, but I'm not sure about their love for tasting things.

jossh27 · 06-09-15, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Obsidian_Dragon

Womas sound enjoyable, but I'm not sure about their love for tasting things.

What do you mean by that? Are they aggressive/bitey?

Sylphie · 06-10-15, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jossh27

What do you mean by that? Are they aggressive/bitey?

From what I heard and seen on youtube Woma's are having strong feeding response, and if not hook trained they often are trying to grab your hand while handling... some even if hook trained still are curious and you know "hmm, maybe I can eat that hand? Let's try!".
I'll gladly heard some opinions about it, as I'm considering Womas as my next snake.

Mikoh4792 · 06-11-15, 12:52 PM

So the feeding response of womas/blackheads are comparable to that of kingsnakes? I used to own a couple kingsnakes years ago and they would really wrap around anything that moved.

Obsidian_Dragon · 06-12-15, 09:25 AM

Some of them just....really...want to see if you're edible. 12 times.

https://youtu.be/Wh6p9IfypJY

It was really only a "thing" with one of them that this person had but boy, did he keep trying. Haha.

PatrickT · 06-12-15, 03:26 PM

Can't agree with that. My Woma eats like a champ but only reacts with feeding behavior when she sees her food. She never bite or showed any bad behavior towards me. She doesnt even wrap around her prey. She takes it and starts eating.