|
Post by cat001 on Jul 31, 2015 14:50:25 GMT
One thing that I consistently notice with two of my young snakes, Eddy and Tails, are that they are almost inseparable! Sometimes Eddy might be hanging out by herself on the basking ledge but more often than not they're together. And if Eddy's going up to the front of the enclosure Tails will notice and follow (and vice versa). I took this shot (below) last night when I opened the enclosure a notch to see if any of them wanted to come out (they can 'hear' when the enclosure is opened and often respond if they're in the mood). Who else but Tails and Eddy come out of hiding together to see what's going on! They are both always first in line to be fed and when I allow them some time to slither in the bedroom (the rooms been snake proofed) I always find them together. I've not noticed such a close pairing with any of my other snakes before and they've been like that since tiny babies. They both have very similar personalities (although I'd say Tails is a little more brazen and Eddy a little more placid), They seem to have a lot in common personality wise. When I see them my heart just spills over with joy seeing how much they engage with their environment, responding to noises and investigating together, seeing me and expecting food or an opportunity for a bit of supervised freedom (their little faces seem to light up when they're anticipating something nice). I just love them, they're simply adorable. Tails and Eddy by Catherine Read, on Flickr Tails - left and Eddy - right Petting Eddy by Catherine Read, on Flickr Giving Eddy a pet on the head while Tails heads out on an adventure.
|
|
|
Post by tonib on Jul 31, 2015 17:44:17 GMT
I don't know enough (or rather very, very little might be more appropriate wording!) to even know if corn snakes are snakes which are normally solitary or for want of a better word live in a community. When I've seen pictures of snakes certain ones seem to be solitary (e.g. rattlesnake) but others are pictured as a tangled group. Rather nice to think that they can have friends but that could well be humanising it Great pictures a usual cat001
|
|
|
Post by cat001 on Jul 31, 2015 21:34:02 GMT
Corn snakes do aggregate occasionally in the wild so aren't completely asocial, and funny you should mention rattlesnakes as studies have found that they exhibit characteristics consistent with advanced sociality, including group defence, conspecific alarm signals, and maternal defence of young. Although snakes are commonly considered to be the least social reptiles, current findings reinforce the notion that rather than being solitary and asocial, some snake species may form family groups and may be more complex than previously suspected, these animals are generally under-studied and poorly understood. I do believe there are more complex social interactions occurring between reptilian individuals than what's appreciated. It's a really fascinating topic actually that i'd love to see more studies on!
|
|
|
Post by cat001 on Jul 31, 2015 23:19:47 GMT
Ooh, just been looking further into rattlesnake sociality (as I know rattlesnakes have been studied in this respect more than most other species) blog.socialsnakes.org/arizona-black-rattlesnake-aggregations-exhibit-hallmarks-of-sociality/It seems rattlesnakes are even choosey with whom they spend their time with, selecting to be in the company of some while avoiding other individuals. Sociality seems to vary between individuals also. I've observed introvert and extrovert tendencies with my corns too although haven't made a formal study of it, I just really enjoy analysing their behaviour and working out their personalities and quirks. Their's a world of knowledge to be discovered in the reptile world, can't wait for more studies to come to light in the future and more knowledge to be gained on these animals, so exciting to know their's so much to discover about them!
|
|
|
Post by tonib on Aug 1, 2015 0:59:40 GMT
Sounds like they're finding out more all the time
|
|