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 #1778219


Python_Pete
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 How smart are pythons?

I work with teenagers in Juvenile Hall, and they are always fascinated to hear about our family’s pythons. I have a 1-year old blood while my youngest son has a 6-month old ball python (my oldest son is the oddball with a 6’ everglades rat snake). This morning at juvenile hall I was asked how smart pythons are, and if they can actually be taught to do something (besides eat rats and foul their water bowls). I have never heard of a python being trained to do anything. Has anyone here ever trained their python to do something, or witnessed a trained python? If so, what was it trained to do?
06/29/08  11:50pm

 #1778345


Sully
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   Message To: Python_Pete   In reference to Message Id: 1778219


 How smart are pythons?

No, pythons can not be trained, as far as that goes is maybe a feeding schedule.
06/30/08  05:23am

 #1778406


Carpondro17
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   Message To: Python_Pete   In reference to Message Id: 1778219


 How smart are pythons?

I agree with sully snakes can not be trained.
But I have seen some snakes come out of their cage when their owner opened it ( and not try to eat him ) snakes do know who their owners are so that makes them somewhat smart. I have also seen and hear about snakes react differnt when other people other then their owners try to handle them. ( they go crazy and try to bite ) I have also heard ( I dont know if this one is true or not ) some snakes can scence the fear people have of snakes and the snakes trying to do everything to get away from that person.. ( so maybe they can scence if people like them or not ) The first snake I handled was a corn snake witch was my friends, and I took him near a dock and he went crazy because he was near water and he hated water soo some snakes dont like somethings and some do.
All depends on the snake.. Now some pythons are somewhat smarter then others. I think Reticulated pythons are the smartest of pythons, as for boas I think anacondas are the smartest ( in my opinion )
06/30/08  09:03am

 #1778454


SusanC
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   Message To: Carpondro17   In reference to Message Id: 1778406


 How smart are pythons?

I’ve never heard of a snake being trained to do anything... but then again.. I’ve never heard of anyone trying to do so either. You’ll gather differing opinions about how smart snakes are... some say that snakes can’t bond with their owners.. and that they don’t even care who holds them or IF they are even held. I have about 21 snakes now(some have been rehomed) I have some that prefer my scent over my husbands... some that prefer males over females.. I have a Boa that hates it if I wear any scented lotion besides bath and Body Works "sweet pea" if I wear anything else... he crawls off of me... when I wear sweet pea... he crawls over me and licks my arms.. it’s quite strange.. but very true.
There is this program that is coming on on Animal Planet.. and it shows all sorts of animals doing amazing things. If monkeys can run a computer.. and an elephant can hold a paint brush and paint a recognizable picture... then why not?
06/30/08  10:02am

 #1781051


JackAsp
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   Message To: SusanC   In reference to Message Id: 1778454


 How smart are pythons?

They learn to recognize individuals, they learn their way around the house, they learn progressively better hunting tactics through trial and error. Or, if eating dead food, they learn that they don’t have to constrict it any more.
I think rat snakes and pine snakes actually have a better learning curve than pythons, but since pythons live a bit longer they can eventually catch up.
07/02/08  08:59pm

 #1781072


Farout
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   Message To: JackAsp   In reference to Message Id: 1781051


 How smart are pythons?

I think there is some level of intelligence but its limited to our knowledge by the fact that the communication level is restricted. Pythons are not naturally social animals. They don’t crave companionship and interaction like a dog. They are mostly instinct driven, I believe. But, I do believe if you meet their basic instinctive needs and desires, positive, adaptive behavior can be developed.

For example, a snake desires security and safety. If, when you handle it, you always provide this, they will learn that you can be trusted and will tolerate or, perhaps, seek out your presence on certain occasions. They definitely learn and adapt to routine. My snakes know that I always feed them in a certain part of their cages and they look for food there. When they are ready to prowl about at night and I open the door, they immediately come out and will allow me to pull them out. Of course, they would LOVE to go explore the wide world rather than be held by me if given the chance. They will definitely adapt to changes in their environment. If you change a heating source, they will recognize it and adapt.

However, I dare say they will never do tricks or be potty trained. :P I seriously doubt anyone will ever walk on a leash! :-)
07/02/08  09:37pm

 #1782280


JackAsp
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   Message To: Farout   In reference to Message Id: 1781072


 How smart are pythons?

Mine has extremely bad arthritis, as recent X-rays revealed, plus I tend to err on the side of dryness when it comes to humidity because I worry more about respiratory health than I do about skin coming off a little slowly, so when she sheds, she just gets her face clear and then sits in the middle of the room waiting for me to come home and peek in on her. Then we hit the bath tub and I get the rest off. If she hadn’t figured out that the sooner I see her, the sooner she’ll stop itching, I imagine she’d just hide, as is normal when animals are stressed. But she’s been doing this for years now.
07/03/08  09:55pm


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