Snakes on an…Enrichment Programme?! Shelby Stanfield, MSc1 James Brereton, MSc2 1. Royal Veterinary College, 4 Royal College St, Kings Cross, London NW1 0TU 2. Reaseheath College, Nantwich CW5 6DF

Introduction Reptile Behaviour Studies are Sometimes Overlooked1 Normal Behaviour? BIAZA Research Database Limited Data2,3 Enrichment Studies

Snake Behaviour Project Led by Reaseheath College Aims: Develop studies to assess snake activity budgets & ‘normal behaviour’ Assess snake behaviour across multiple collections and species Test the effects of novel enrichment Image: Woburn Safari Park

The Study Subjects Quill- Corn Snake (Pantherophis guttata) Syd- Royal Python (Python regius)

Methods 30 Minute Observation Periods Instantaneous Scan Sampling Temperature and Humidity Enrichment Light/Dark Conditions Tongue Flicks4

Practicalities Time of Day Tongue Flicks Camera Trap

Preliminary Findings Daytime Enrichment Complexity (Branches) Active Hours Temperature Gradient and Perches Mouse Scents Snake Shed Glass Interaction Image: youtube.com

But What About My Collection? Future Enrichment Ideas: Shelters Structures Feeding Schedules5 Heat Source Location Evidence-based Enrichment1,6 Image: thecornsnake.co.uk

TO INVESTIGATE SNAKE BEHAVIOUR. The Future! To follow for updates find us on Facebook as “The Snake Behaviour Project” Group Study ‘em all!6 TO INVESTIGATE SNAKE BEHAVIOUR.

References 1. Burghardt, G. M. (2012). Environmental enrichment and cognitive complexity in reptiles and amphibians: Concepts, review, and implications for captive populations. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 147, 286-298. 2. Chiszar, D., Smith, H.M., Radcliffe, C.W., 1993. Zoo and laboratory studies on the behavior of snakes: assessments of competence in captive- reared animals. Am. Zool. 33, 109– 116. 3. Chiszar, D., Tomlinson, W.T., Smith, H.M., Murphy, J.B., Ratcliffe, C.W., 1995. Behavioural consequences of husbandry manipulations: indi- cators of arousal, quiescence, and environmental awareness. In: Warwick, C., Frye, F.L., Murphy, J.B. (Eds.), Health and Welfare of Cap- tive Reptiles. Chapman & Hall, London, pp. 186–204. 4. Almli, L.M., Burghardt, G.M., 2006. Environmental enrichment alters the behavioral profile of ratsnakes (Elaphe). J. Appl. Anim. Welf. Sci. 9, 85–109. 5. Burghardt, G.M., Krause, M.A., 1999. Plasticity of foraging behavior in garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) reared on different diets. J. Comp. Psychol. 113, 277–285. 6. Warwick, C., Frye, F.L., Murphy, J.B. (Eds.), 1995. Health and Welfare of Captive Reptiles. Chapman & Hall, London.

Thank You For Listening! Any Questions? If interested in getting involved in the Snake Behaviour Project please contact: sstanfield4@rvc.ac.uk Image: Photography-on-the.net