The Use of Operant Conditioning to Enhance the Management and Welfare of Captive Kingsnakes

Abstract Snakes have been kept and bred in captivity for decades very successfully, thanks to their ability to breed in minimalistic conditions. The history of published research in the operant conditioning of snakes and their learning capabilities is well evidenced. Many husbandry practices have been founded upon trial and error, with attitudes and husbandry of captive snakes steadily progressing. However, persistent attitudes towards the cognitive abilities of snakes may be contradictory to scientific literature, and thus directly impact upon the welfare of captive snakes. Recommendations are made here to tackle the problem. The case of captive kingsnakes with previous hyperreactivity and biting was resolved with target training by introducing clear communication to the snake as to when food is present. The snake was classically conditioned to associate the presence of the target with food; the presence of the target predicted food would follow. Once the meaning of the target for the snake was established, the presence of the target always indicated the presence of food. The snake learned activity during regular maintenance was not related to feeding; the absence of the target meant an absence of food. This training resulted in the desired behaviours during feeding and a reduction of the undesired behaviours outside of feeding. Operant conditioning was then used to teach the snake the target meant an opportunity to earn reinforcement contingent upon a shifting behaviour. The shifting behaviour was shaped in this case to remove the need to forcibly handle the snakes in non-emergency situations and to allow the snake to participate in their own care. Teaching cooperative care behaviours using operant conditioning leads to higher welfare states and closer towards “ a life worth living ”. Information © The Author 2023