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Event Type
Research Presentation
Academic Department
Biology, Psychology
Location
Dana Science Building, 2nd floor
Start Date
14-4-2023 1:30 PM
End Date
14-4-2023 3:00 PM
Description
Under the direction of Dr. Renee Godard
Captivity is known to have an impact on social behaviors and motivation (Lardner et al., 2009). We investigated the responses of 11 captive snakes to scent cues (food and novel). Snakes were exposed to 5 scent cues (rat, mouse, egg, garlic, and water), and rates of tongue flicks were measured. Snakes were exposed to these cues four times, twice when “hungry” (5 days after eating) and twice when “fed” (2 days after eating). Surprisingly, food motivation (time since last eating) had no impact on rates of tongue flicking. However, young snakes (<1 >yo) showed increased responses to prey scents when compared to older snakes. Our results suggest that captivity and inexperience likely have an effect on prey interest.
Does Age Have an Effect on Snake Interest to Scent Cues?
Dana Science Building, 2nd floor
Under the direction of Dr. Renee Godard
Captivity is known to have an impact on social behaviors and motivation (Lardner et al., 2009). We investigated the responses of 11 captive snakes to scent cues (food and novel). Snakes were exposed to 5 scent cues (rat, mouse, egg, garlic, and water), and rates of tongue flicks were measured. Snakes were exposed to these cues four times, twice when “hungry” (5 days after eating) and twice when “fed” (2 days after eating). Surprisingly, food motivation (time since last eating) had no impact on rates of tongue flicking. However, young snakes (<1>yo) showed increased responses to prey scents when compared to older snakes. Our results suggest that captivity and inexperience likely have an effect on prey interest.