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Snakes: smart or dumb?
- Thread starter Lyion
- Start date
I dont think a snakes brain is as complex as a rats.Rats are smart, I mean freaky smart.
But not like people smart.Snakes may have some form of intelligence in their own right.But I dont believe they are capable of thinking things through, because they dont need to, they run on instinct, its worked for them for a long time so why change.
I do believe that colubrids seem to be more curious, more aware of their surroundings and whats going on then say boids.Boids are pretty much just lumps with a feed response...LOL
But not like people smart.Snakes may have some form of intelligence in their own right.But I dont believe they are capable of thinking things through, because they dont need to, they run on instinct, its worked for them for a long time so why change.
I do believe that colubrids seem to be more curious, more aware of their surroundings and whats going on then say boids.Boids are pretty much just lumps with a feed response...LOL
Lyion
~♪Sorry and Thanks♪~
I gotta agree with the boids statement XD. And yes, I think animals are all smart in their own ways... with the exception of insects lol. I agree rats are or seem smarter than snakes, but I'd have to say snakes win over mice.
VickyChaiTea
Snake enthusiast
Well, determining intelligence can be done a few ways. A lot of people compare them to animals considered very smart like humans and call them "dumb".
Reptiles in general are very instinct driven, therefore they do not rely on complex problem solving skills and the like. Evolutionarily speaking it has worked out very well for them, they've been around since the dinosaurs and snakes in particular exist on every continent except for the poles.
So they can't solve puzzles, and don't have the will to be taught many behaviors (unlike dogs) but they are smart enough to keep themselves safe, develop behaviors that work well for the environment they live in (burrowing, climbing, etc. and physically changing to facilitate those behaviors), hunt for food, reproduce, etc.
They aren't the smartest animals in the world, but they aren't stupid either. Instinct driven and stupid are two different things.
Reptiles in general are very instinct driven, therefore they do not rely on complex problem solving skills and the like. Evolutionarily speaking it has worked out very well for them, they've been around since the dinosaurs and snakes in particular exist on every continent except for the poles.
So they can't solve puzzles, and don't have the will to be taught many behaviors (unlike dogs) but they are smart enough to keep themselves safe, develop behaviors that work well for the environment they live in (burrowing, climbing, etc. and physically changing to facilitate those behaviors), hunt for food, reproduce, etc.
They aren't the smartest animals in the world, but they aren't stupid either. Instinct driven and stupid are two different things.
bitsy
Owned by Corns since 1991
The basic design of a snake hasn't changed in millions of years - which is more than can be said for humans. Evolution has determined that they're perfectly evolved for their niche in the natural system. Not sure that intelligence is really a factor, but whatever it is, they're getting it right!
Kokopelli
Resident Boa Fanatic
I disagree on the boid comment...
First off, anyone who has ever held a reticulated python will immediately tell you that they are unlike any other snakes out there. They are by far, the most intelligent species in captivity... they study the treatment routine, they remember if you did something they didn't really like... and are simply amazing.
This, is of course dangerous since retics are also extremely fast, agile, powerful and big.
Regarding boas... I find them to be just as curious, and smarter than colubrids- the fact that they do not immediately zoom around is a product of them being apex predators- but they respond with alertness to any less familiar stimuli.
Beyond that... snakes, on the whole, are not brilliant... but it depends on how you define intelligence.
It is now accepted that there are 7 kinds of intelligence- one of which is movement and locomotion... at which, snakes excel.
First off, anyone who has ever held a reticulated python will immediately tell you that they are unlike any other snakes out there. They are by far, the most intelligent species in captivity... they study the treatment routine, they remember if you did something they didn't really like... and are simply amazing.
This, is of course dangerous since retics are also extremely fast, agile, powerful and big.
Regarding boas... I find them to be just as curious, and smarter than colubrids- the fact that they do not immediately zoom around is a product of them being apex predators- but they respond with alertness to any less familiar stimuli.
Beyond that... snakes, on the whole, are not brilliant... but it depends on how you define intelligence.
It is now accepted that there are 7 kinds of intelligence- one of which is movement and locomotion... at which, snakes excel.
Jenber
New member
Agreed. While I have never held a retic myself I have also heard this many times, and I consider my boas to be smarter than my corn and ratsnakes. They don't take off right away but they know what's happening and when to react.
crotalis40741
Nanci said put sexy bangs
Most would say as far as intelligence goes that the king cobra seems to be the most intelligent. But I really don't know if any serpent has a great deal of smarts other than instinct to survive. But we all can be biased on our opionions of what ever serpents are kept. The corns here will come out when I rap on thier boxes is it intelligence or just curiosity and a conditioned feeding response? We as humans have and use the capacity to cast human emotions, feelings, and thought processes onto our animals. It is something that helps us bond with them. So on serpent brain power the jury for me is still out.
.I dont have any experience with retics though so cant say anything there.,
I did however rethink things a bit and I do think my jungle carpet is pretty smart, maybe thats why hes so mean(lol)..But seriously I really dont think boas are all that brilliant.Maybe its the lazy attitude but some seem to be "dumber" then others for lack of a better word.
There really isnt any way to measure it...But Ive had rats that for sure can figure out puzzles, and I had one that would systematically go over any new cage to find its faults so she could escape..Uncanny it was.I also had one that came to its name, so cute.
I did however rethink things a bit and I do think my jungle carpet is pretty smart, maybe thats why hes so mean(lol)..But seriously I really dont think boas are all that brilliant.Maybe its the lazy attitude but some seem to be "dumber" then others for lack of a better word.
There really isnt any way to measure it...But Ive had rats that for sure can figure out puzzles, and I had one that would systematically go over any new cage to find its faults so she could escape..Uncanny it was.I also had one that came to its name, so cute.
AliCat37
Michelle's Candied Corns!
Well, typically, the more surface area a brain has, then the smarter the animal. A brain with lots of folds is a sign of increased intelligence (technically this makes elephants smarter than us!), and a brain that is smoother is a more simple intelligence. Reptiles, snakes in particular, have very smooth brains. Rodents have very folded brains. So yes, the prey the snakes eat are smarter. But, as bitsy said, they have been this way for millions of years! It's obviously working very well for them 
I have heard that the king cobra is the most intelligent, and indigo snakes are up there too. But corns, boas, and balls. They don't seem too smart to me. That being said, they all have different personalities. My corns are all similar, my ball seems kinda dumb, and my boa seems the smartest of them all. That being said.. at the end of the day, I still love corns the most.
I have heard that the king cobra is the most intelligent, and indigo snakes are up there too. But corns, boas, and balls. They don't seem too smart to me. That being said, they all have different personalities. My corns are all similar, my ball seems kinda dumb, and my boa seems the smartest of them all. That being said.. at the end of the day, I still love corns the most.
Kokopelli
Resident Boa Fanatic
I can share a personal experience regarding retics... beyond the fact that they stare at you and you get the unnerving feeling that you are being studied...
I held this baby super dwarf reticulated python and she roamed around my hand... at some point, she was eager to crawl away to a certain direction and I kept moving her from one hand to the other- creating a treadmill sort of effect.
After a few second of that she froze... and after a couple of seconds of that, she gently placed the side of her mouth near my finger and ever so slightly bit me with 3-4 teeth- a slow, deliberate bite.
Off course, I let go and she slid off to where she wanted to go before I picked her up again.
Here's a pic from that same day:
As far as comparing retics to king cobras... I can't say, I never handled a king cobra. I heard allot of good things about black headed pythons too.
I held this baby super dwarf reticulated python and she roamed around my hand... at some point, she was eager to crawl away to a certain direction and I kept moving her from one hand to the other- creating a treadmill sort of effect.
After a few second of that she froze... and after a couple of seconds of that, she gently placed the side of her mouth near my finger and ever so slightly bit me with 3-4 teeth- a slow, deliberate bite.
Off course, I let go and she slid off to where she wanted to go before I picked her up again.
Here's a pic from that same day:
As far as comparing retics to king cobras... I can't say, I never handled a king cobra. I heard allot of good things about black headed pythons too.
legitimatehypnotist
New member
I have to be honest, I hadn't had snakes until I recently got my first one in June, but I'd had reptiles since literally the day I was born (Mom was a a rescuer). I thought I had a pretty good gauge of their intelligence level, but my snake is actually EXTREMELY smart. She has actually left me surprised on numerous occasions. Namely, her memory. She recognizes my voice, face, and scent and often leaves her hides to greet me when I come home. Pretty uncommon, I know. But she does it, and it always impresses me. Also, she works with you during handling, instead of against you, and it's almost like she knows better than to bite any human at all.
Did I mention she's an avid music fan as well? I'm telling you, I think some of them are a lot smarter than us humans give them credit for. My mother, after having various reptiles for many years, also agrees with that conclusion.
Did I mention she's an avid music fan as well? I'm telling you, I think some of them are a lot smarter than us humans give them credit for. My mother, after having various reptiles for many years, also agrees with that conclusion.
thelivingoddity
New member
I had three pet rats, and it's true, rats really are freaky smart. They can learn certain tricks and things the way that dogs can-- they're really very brilliant little animals, although they don't live long
That being said, my corn surprises me every day. I'm not sure how smart he is, but he definitely seems to be thinking about something most of the time. He also seems to recognize when I come in the room, and comes to the front of his tank and "asks" to come out (when I open the lid he climbs right onto my shoulders and hangs out). So even though snakes, and reptiles in general aren't necessarily the smartest creatures, they are still brilliant and beautiful in their very own way
ReggieOkeetee08
Daniel
my corn snake (Reggie) has his moments... sometimes i think he's pretty smart, others i think he's a complete Dumb***, lol. Sarabi on the other hand is smart, and picks people for no apparent reason that i can tell... something about them... she also will perch herself around my fingers so that she can watch (and smell) the world go by when i'm busy. She's also fascinated by laptops; not computers, laptops. she'll sit on the warmest part and watch the screen until the urge is too strong and she tries to climb the screen and perch on top! she doesnt understand gravity yet (tries to fall off the table... she'll grow out of it im sure) and she doesnt understand why she cant grip the shapes on the screen, lol
kingsnakes i'v found to be very..... lacking, lol. i will say their apparent "intelligence" varies between species, individuals, and how the person interprets a snakes thinking and behavioral patterns.
kingsnakes i'v found to be very..... lacking, lol. i will say their apparent "intelligence" varies between species, individuals, and how the person interprets a snakes thinking and behavioral patterns.
visceralrepulsion
Nay-Sayer
i think we can all agree that snakes are for the most part instinctually driven. and lets face the fact that they do and would survive in the wilderness longer than most humans would due to the snakes prowess =p. i often ponder my snakes intelligence...."do they experience boredom, sadness, do they enjoy being petted, etc.?" and ive come to the conclusion that in many ways theyre like cats. its not that theyre "dumb" but its because theyre stubborn, apathetic, and visceral. however, i think theyre definitely capable of recognition of their owners and other familiar beings, and have some kind of 6th sense to them to be able to read our moods and emotions like they seem to. also, like someone had mentioned before, i was absolutely in awe of how my one snake responds to music. for example my bf was playing his guitar, while i was holding lars. lars was hellbent on reaching that guitar, stretching his body out with all of his might, until i finally let him reach the guitar, where he crawled upon the instrument, and laid very relaxed as my boyfriend strummed away. i still cant believe it. and when im playing music in my room hell often come out of his hide and roam his tank, not frantically, but almost with childlike inquisitiveness. is there a depth to this behavior? probably not. its possible he just likes the vibrations, but still neat none the less. i think everyone has made some very good points about what intelligence truly is, what stupidity is, and where snakes lie between the two. i dont think well ever be able to measure a snakes intelligence mostly because of their personality. atleast not in our lifetimes. but i do have to make light of this conversation for a moment...i can just see it now...a man in a large white overcoat and thick glasses saying "okay snake, now were going to ring the bell. (man in labcoat rings bell to demonstrate for snake, then hands the snake a juicey mouse). "and now when you ring this bell snake, youll get a nice juicey mouse everytime!" ....months later the doctor is still scratching his head and getting the symbolical middle finger straight from the snakes eyes. hahahaha. why? most importantly because the snake doesnt give 2 damns about your rewards! hes a predator of profound and substantial proportions, and hell either survive somehow, or die proudly, knowing he didnt ring your stupid bell =p
legitimatehypnotist
New member
I agree completely. Very well said. I think humans, no matter how hard we may try, could never truly understand snakes or their motivations. That's part of the reason why we keep them, at least for me it is.
Snakes simply do not need us. They are spectacular on their own, and they must be somewhat intelligent. Just possibly, in a way we can't comprehend or observe.
Snakes simply do not need us. They are spectacular on their own, and they must be somewhat intelligent. Just possibly, in a way we can't comprehend or observe.
ReggieOkeetee08
Daniel
Lmao, I love the ending since that's probably exactly what would happen! It could very well be that he was listening to the music, since snakes "hear" through vibrations... who knows? Anything's possible
Lyion
~♪Sorry and Thanks♪~
Mine is smart and dumb at the same time. She dumb for the fact she still hasn't learned that she can't go through glass but she's one of the smartest I've ever seen. She has multi-colored platforms she goes on when she wants somthing. She goes on the blue when she wants fresh water, and upon replacing drinks, goes on the red when she's hungry, and after I lift her out will head to the feeding cage. She goes on the green when she wants her tank cleaned, usually a poop inside and goes on the yellow shen she wants be held.