Opportunities Matter!

Follow-up to a recent video collaboration with Liam Sinclair of Reptiles and Research ‪@ReptilesandResearch‬
I discussed neuroplasticity and how environment impacts the brain, either enhancing or diminishing cognitive abilities, learning, resiliency, adaptability, and coping.
• Why Reptiles Are WAY S... (Liam's video)
• Neural Consequences of... (link to my first video)
I pointed out the importance of giving snakes OPPORTUNITIES to engage their minds and bodies, ACCESS to enrichment areas, and that it benefits the snake to have EXPOSURE to complex environments and mental stimulation for EVEN SHORT PERIODS of time on a regular basis.
(Zentall, T. R. (2021). Effect of Environmental Enrichment on the Brain and on Learning and Cognition by Animals. Animals, 11(4), 973.
Animals’ “ability to learn both simple and complex tasks is affected by even modest time spent in an enriched environment”.)
Bob Bledsoe with Green Room Pythons ‪@GreenRoomPythons‬ and I collaborated on a couple of follow-up videos in this series emphasizing that you can still provide your snakes with enrichment and stimulation even if you don’t have the space or inclination to house them in full-size enclosures or large habitats.
The AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) recognizes five enrichment categories: cognitive, dietary, physical, sensory, and social. Outside of the zoo community guidelines for enrichment in animal shelters are very similar: cognitive, feeding, physical exercise, novel experiences, and sensory stimulation. You can do this in a variety of ways and keeping styles.
It is possible to provide environmental complexity, enrichment, physical exercise, and mental stimulation outside of your snake’s normal living space with designated shared common areas, exercises stations, training, and supervised activities.
It is possible to provide stimulation within smaller enclosures or tubs, which Bob talks about in his video, by introducing novel items, substrate, artificial plants, and one or more items the snake can crawl through, around, or climb on top of. Remember ANY amount of stimulation that has positive emotional valence (in other words is not frightening or distressing to the snake) is beneficial.
To learn more about how to provide enrichment for snakes not housed 24/7 in large, complex habitats head over to Green Room Pythons. Bob Bledsoe will elaborate, show you examples, and give you several options for consideration in his video here: • Can Your Snake Be Happ...
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