1. 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

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

3. 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

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

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

6. Practicalities
Time of Day
Tongue Flicks
Camera Trap

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

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

9. 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.

10. 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,
2. Chiszar, D., Smith, H.M., Radcliffe, C.W., 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., 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., Environmental enrichment alters the behavioral profile of ratsnakes (Elaphe). J. Appl. Anim. Welf. Sci. 9, 85–109.
5. Burghardt, G.M., Krause, M.A., 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.), Health and Welfare of Captive Reptiles. Chapman & Hall, London.

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