Species Focus: Morelia bredli, Training Centralian Pythons
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I invite you to watch my homework submission for PSYCH 200 B Au 20: Comparative Animal Behavior, University of Washington. If you have not seen my 20-minute mini-class on Instinct and Learning you can watch that video here: • Instinct and Learning
This video includes a quick review of how instinct and learning are defined followed by five different Morelia bredli at different levels of training demonstrating operant behaviors they are learning or have learned.
Video Timeline:
0-01:45 Review of what instinct and learning are, background information.
1:45-2:20 Beginning learner, high instinct behaviors.
2:20-4:35 Intermediate learner, operant behaviors.
4:35 -4:45 Intermediate learner, long duration hold behavior.
4:45-5:05 Intermediate/advanced stationing behavior, positioning on scale.
5:05-5:58 Advanced learner, unplanned/improvised session, recall behavior.
5:58-6:12 Contact information and link to Instinct and learning mini-class.
Resources and references listed at the end of this description.
The posture of the first snake in the video is natural for bredli who position in an ambush posture waiting for potential prey to pass below at which time it is instinctual to strike at the prey in response to motion, scent, and thermal signature. The subsequent prey handling behavior of coil, wrap, and constrict is innate and was at one time labeled a modal action pattern; however, research informs us that snakes have the ability to modify their prey acquisition methods, prey handling techniques, and the logistics of ingestion based on prey type and size, prior experience, and learning.
Under captive management the ability to modify and even inhibit aspects of instinctual feeding behavior allows food to be used as a primary reinforcer during training, also called shaping, which is really just guided learning.
Next, a different bredli shows how instinct and learning can work together for the snake to learn an operant behavior. The snake’s instinct to respond to motion is useful when the target is acting as a prompt for him to move toward and follow. The snake’s instinct to climb and position itself above prey makes getting the snake to climb up and over the perch simple for him to perform and yet he has learned to delay the feeding response and perform an operant behavior to earn reinforcement.
The subsequent short video clips show more advanced learners demonstrating longer duration hold behavior, stationing on a scale for weighing, and a recall behavior. These behaviors draw on the snake’s natural instincts and build on them to shape the operant behaviors shown. By setting up an environment and training situation that works with the snake’s natural instincts, we are able to shape cooperative care behaviors such as stationing on a scale or platform, shifting from their primary enclosure to a holding area or travel container, and pausing in position for procedures like exams or injections.
Resources:
Using Operant Conditioning and Desensitization to Facilitate Veterinary Care with Captive Reptiles (Hellmuth, Heidi; Augustine, Lauren, et al., Veterinary Clinics: Exotic Animal Practice, Volume 15, Issue 3, 425 - 443)
Predators in training: operant conditioning of novel behavior in wild Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivitattus). Anim Cogn. 2015;18(1):269‐278. doi:10.1007/s10071-014-0797-1) Almli LM, Burghardt GM.
Environmental enrichment alters the behavioral profile of ratsnakes (Elaphe). J Appl Anim Welf Sci. 2006;9(2):85‐109. doi:10.1207/s15327604jaws0902_1) (Naumann RK, Ondracek JM, Reiter S, et al. The reptilian brain. Curr Biol. 2015;25(8):R317‐R321. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2015.02.049)
Spatial learning of an escape task by young corn snakes, Elaphe guttata guttata. Anim Behav. 1999;57(1):51-60. doi:10.1006/anbe.1998.0971) Holtzman DA, Harris TW, Aranguren G, Bostock E.
Conditioned discrimination of airborne odorants by garter snakes (Thamnophis radix and T. sirtalis sirtalis). J Comp Psychol. 1988;102(1):35-43. doi:10.1037/0735-7036.102.1.35) Begun D, Kubie JL, O'Keefe MP, Halpern M.
Distribution of dopamine immunoreactivity in the forebrain and midbrain of the snake Python regius: a study with antibodies against dopamine. J Comp Neurol. 1988;271(1):115‐129. doi:10.1002/I
The Reptilian Brain (Naumann RK, Ondracek JM, Reiter S, et al. The reptilian brain. Curr Biol. 2015;25(8):R317‐R321. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2015.02.049)
Oxford Dictionary of Zoology (Allaby 2014)
www.researchgate.net/profile/...
www.researchgate.net/publicat...)
www.behavioreducation.org/
Пікірлер: 24
My corn snake escaped his enclosure this week. When I found him he was not in a place that I could get to him. He is a yearling but has only been target training for a couple of months. I was able to retrieve him in minutes with target training whereas I may have waited hours from him to come out otherwise. This type of training is fun and interesting but is also very practical in keeping these animals. The latch on his lid has been fixed. Lol
@LoriTorrini
3 жыл бұрын
Fantastic! I’m so happy to hear that. I’ve also used it to get Cornsnakes out from small spots they’ve gotten into while out!
@carldamien1889
3 жыл бұрын
a tip: you can watch series on flixzone. Me and my gf have been using it for watching a lot of movies these days.
@jaxxreed7201
3 жыл бұрын
@Carl Damien yup, have been watching on Flixzone} for since november myself :D
Excellent💯💯 Live Training Video🎥🎥🎥🎥🎥 A N D Perfect💯 Upload👍👍
I love watching you work with your Bredlis Lori. They are such intelligent creatures
Almost have caught up and l really cant wait to have more of my snakes trained but so far l will stick with Jesse, he is the guinea pig you could say. Mine mostly are happy to come out when l open the door but l certainly would like them to use the target and place them where l would like them go. They are doing really well and l can see so many benefits to target training.
This is very cool!
It's so refreshing to see your respect, enthusiasm, patience and "open door" for snake learning and behavior. I used to have a ball python whom I adored and I loved to give her quiet ways to explore new places and stimuli. She taught me a lot and I was lucky to share the time with her that I was given... I've recently been learning more about the Bredl's python and it seems like a wonderful snake. Would you have any recommendations for breeders of the Bredl? It would be great to connect with someone who cares for them both as a breed as well as individuals. Thanks!
@LoriTorrini
2 жыл бұрын
Yes! I have specific breeders I would recommend animals from. Where are you located?
@danetteperez6863
2 жыл бұрын
@@LoriTorrini Wonderful! I am in (eastern) Utah.
@LoriTorrini
2 жыл бұрын
@@danetteperez6863 Ralph Polinski has bredli with excellent temperaments. Also Andy Watson who is in Denver and Inland Reptile. If you email me I can give you their contact info. BehaviorEducationLLC@gmail.com
At what age would you start to target train a corn snake?
@matts1072
3 жыл бұрын
Lori has some good corn snake videos on here with "Normal" and a few others. Also featured in her choice based handling video. All great stuff. I listen at work sometimes.
@LoriTorrini
3 жыл бұрын
I start as soon as possible, when the snake arrives here I start pairing the target with food the first meal.
@Dodl1
3 жыл бұрын
@@matts1072 thank you for the tipp 😁
@Dodl1
3 жыл бұрын
@@LoriTorrini oh wow, I'll do my best when I get mine! Thank you for your enlightening videos!
@LoriTorrini
3 жыл бұрын
@@Dodl1 Depending on the personality of the snake either place the food on the target at first and set in in the enclosure (for shy snakes) or hold the target on one hand with the food right in front of it on tongs with your other hand (confident snakes) so that as the snakes sees and takes the food it also sees the target right behind it. Pairing the target with food like this is how to get started. Once the snake is associating the target with food then you move on to showing the target first and when the snakes acknowledges it then give the food separate.
All that just to get him on a scale to weigh him.... Why not just pick him up? lol I guess if you want to keep target training that's one way to do it.
@LoriTorrini
2 жыл бұрын
Teaching cooperative care behaviors gives animals more choice and control over their own behavioral outcomes and gives them the opportunity to consent to something or not. It reduces distress that may be caused by handling and increases safety for the animal and keeper because there is no use of force or restraint. It improves welfare and the animals are getting mental stimulation and physical exercise. This training is now routinely done in zoos, in many veterinary practices, shelters, and other animal facilities. Fear Free Pets promotes it for animals in homes as well. If your snake or other animal is comfortable and relaxed with handling of course you can just put them on the scale but if they’re not, this is the least intrusive most effective option and it’s more fun!
@Cogzed
2 жыл бұрын
@@LoriTorrini it is pretty cool. They’re much smarter than most people think. Unfortunately, my wife says no to having one.
@LoriTorrini
2 жыл бұрын
@@Cogzed Really? That’s a bummer, I really enjoy working with them and the challenge of coming up with ways to train them.
@MG-uz5mr
Жыл бұрын
@@LoriTorrini how is it coming out expecting a food reward “consent” or “choice”? The snake thinks it’s getting food so it’s doing it. It’s not a free choice to come sit on a weighing machine