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Predators in training: operant conditioning of novel behavior in wild Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivitattus)
Sherri A Emer1, Cordula V Mora, Mark T Harvey
1Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology, 150 West University Blvd., Melbourne, FL, 32901, USA.
Animal Cognition
|August 21, 2014
Summary
Wild Burmese pythons learned operant conditioning tasks using a modified shaping procedure. This study demonstrates large snakes can associate stimuli with food rewards and perform contingent responses.
Area of Science:
- Comparative psychology
- Herpetology
- Animal behavior
Background:
- Large pythons and boas possess unique anatomy and physiology compared to traditional models in operant conditioning.
- Limited research exists on learning and behavior in massive snake species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the trainability of wild Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivitattus) using operant conditioning.
- To adapt shaping procedures for large, non-traditional animal models in learning research.
Main Methods:
- A modified shaping procedure involving successive approximations was employed.
- Pythons were trained to approach and depress an illuminated push button for food rewards.
Main Results:
- Wild pythons successfully learned to accept small food rewards.
- The snakes demonstrated the ability to associate a stimulus with rewards via operant conditioning.
- Contingent operant responses were performed to gain access to food.
Conclusions:
- Modified shaping procedures are effective for training large pythons.
- This methodology enables the study of complex behavioral phenomena in rarely researched massive snakes.
- Operant conditioning can be successfully applied to large reptilian species.
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