Are boas smart? - Page 4 - Where Responsible Reptile Keepers Connect!

sgrdolphin · #31 (**permalink**) 03-04-2008, 09:07 PM

Intelligence is just a word that humans have given to there own ability to reason. Yes there are other animals that reason to varying degrees, but it all has to do with survival and brain development. Raze hit it on the head when he said that “crocodilians are the smartest and the closest to showing emotion.” Aves and crocodilians are the only reptiles that use vocal communication as well. See the pattern here. And the Komodo dragons fighting for a mate; did you know that the males will never bite each other? Interesting, because that could lead to a very dangerous wound, however, the winning male will rake the back of the loser with his claws (without braking the skin) to display his “power” over him. Is he showing compassion, reason, or simply working towards survival of a species that has a limited number in the population? See how easy it is to turn an instinctual behavior into an emotion? Snakes are highly specialized creatures. But their evolution has led them towards a body design that does not require much “brain power” to survive. They are by human definition an unintelligent species that is driven by instinct. Snakes have a very small capacity to learn, and thus do not feel emotion.
Just my humble opinion derived from my short life of experiences and observations.

sirens5 · #32 (**permalink**) 03-04-2008, 09:54 PM

I think probably if we were prey size they would eat us but I also think that they sense safety and know if someone is afraid of them. I pretend my ball python feels emotion when he is wrapped around my neck and giving me my neck massage but really I know he just likes being under my hair where it is warm.

razeraze · #33 (**permalink**) 03-04-2008, 11:16 PM

A few things here.

1. we are prey size, and the large species of snakes have demonstrated this.

2.Snakes are intelligent and learn very quickly especially routines and threats, food, or non threatening things in day to day life. In 1 week my reticulated python learned where her food door was and stopped attacking her main door, so she could focus on the door that provides the food. They have the ability to learn what feeds them, where, when, and how often. They also have the ability to recognize us and decide if they feel safe around us or other primates. How ever beyond basic instinctual emotions (fear, lust, hunger, territory etc...) they just do not have the brain parts needed for advanced emotions.

Every time I hold my reptiles the only anthropomorphic thought that enters my head is "why is the monkey bothering me"? This is probably as close to compassionate or emotional as we are going to get from these beautiful reptiles.

sirens5 · #34 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 12:12 AM

whew thanks for raining on my parade lol! We all know this but you didn't have to put it in black and white! geeze! anthropomorphic... good thing you used big words so my snake won't understand while he reads the screen!!

zeus · #35 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 01:05 AM

I dont think snakes would have made it this far if they were not smart.

Stigma · #36 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeus

I dont think snakes would have made it this far if they were not smart.

in what sense??? u think they are actualy intelligent creatures?

ssjsmits · #37 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 02:06 AM

Seems like this is veering off from the original question about showing emotions etc. As far as them being "smart"? I don't think they are. They have the natural instincts which is to hunt/eat, defend and breed. So in those regards, yeah they are "smart".