Effectiveness of Target Training Snakes for Easier Snake Enclosure Transfer
Event Type
Research Presentation
Location
Dana Science Building, 2nd floor
Start Date
24-4-2026 1:00 PM
End Date
24-4-2026 2:30 PM
Description
This study examined if snakes can learn to associate a visual target stimulus with food, similar to target training-training methods already used successfully in other reptiles. Although turtles, alligators, and lizards have shown strong learning abilities in previous research, snakes remain understudied in this area. To address this gap, captive kingsnakes (Lampropeitis elapsoides and KINGSLEY) and corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus) housed in the Hollins University lab were trained using a green target sphere paired with food rewards. Across multiple training stages, snakes were exposed to repeated pairings of the target and a prey item (Mus musculus), followed by trials in which the target was presented alone to test if they would orient toward, approach, make contact with, or follow it. Each snake completed a series of structured trials that gradually increased in difficulty, beginning with simple target food pairings and progressing to target following, exiting the enclosure, and moving between designated stations. Feeding latency, approach behavior, and accuracy of target directed responses were recorded throughout the procedure; behaviors such as tongue flicks, tail rattles, and contact with the stimulus. Preliminary observations suggest that both species showed measurable changes in behavior across sessions, including faster orientation toward the target and more consistent following behavior, indicating that they were forming an association between the stimulus and the food reward. Overall, the findings support the idea that snakes are capable of basic conditioning and can learn to respond to consistent visual cues. These results contribute to the limited research on snake learning and suggest that target based training may help reduce stress and improve husbandry practices in captive settings.
Effectiveness of Target Training Snakes for Easier Snake Enclosure Transfer
Dana Science Building, 2nd floor
This study examined if snakes can learn to associate a visual target stimulus with food, similar to target training-training methods already used successfully in other reptiles. Although turtles, alligators, and lizards have shown strong learning abilities in previous research, snakes remain understudied in this area. To address this gap, captive kingsnakes (Lampropeitis elapsoides and KINGSLEY) and corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus) housed in the Hollins University lab were trained using a green target sphere paired with food rewards. Across multiple training stages, snakes were exposed to repeated pairings of the target and a prey item (Mus musculus), followed by trials in which the target was presented alone to test if they would orient toward, approach, make contact with, or follow it. Each snake completed a series of structured trials that gradually increased in difficulty, beginning with simple target food pairings and progressing to target following, exiting the enclosure, and moving between designated stations. Feeding latency, approach behavior, and accuracy of target directed responses were recorded throughout the procedure; behaviors such as tongue flicks, tail rattles, and contact with the stimulus. Preliminary observations suggest that both species showed measurable changes in behavior across sessions, including faster orientation toward the target and more consistent following behavior, indicating that they were forming an association between the stimulus and the food reward. Overall, the findings support the idea that snakes are capable of basic conditioning and can learn to respond to consistent visual cues. These results contribute to the limited research on snake learning and suggest that target based training may help reduce stress and improve husbandry practices in captive settings.
Comments
Under the direction of Dr. Bonnie Bowers.