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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 5, 2026

The Use of the Puzzle Box as a Means of Assessing the Efficacy of Environmental Enrichment
06:50

The Use of the Puzzle Box as a Means of Assessing the Efficacy of Environmental Enrichment

Published on: December 29, 2014

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Environmental Enrichment Increases Brain Volume in Snakes.

Gokulan Nagabaskaran1, Vijay Moonilal1, Morgan Skinner1

  • 1Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada.

The Journal of Comparative Neurology
|March 21, 2025
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Environmental enrichment significantly boosts brain development in western hognose snakes (Heterodon nasicus). Enriched snakes showed larger brain volumes, indicating crucial plasticity similar to mammals and birds.

Keywords:
3D SlicerMRIRStudiobrainenvironmental enrichmentreptilereptile welfaresnake

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Area of Science:

  • Herpetology
  • Neuroscience
  • Animal Behavior

Background:

  • Environmental enrichment effects are well-documented in mammals and birds, but understudied in reptiles.
  • Snakes are prevalent in captivity, necessitating research into their welfare and development under standard housing conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of environmental enrichment on brain development in the western hognose snake (Heterodon nasicus).
  • To compare brain volumes and regional development between snakes housed in enriched versus standard environments.

Main Methods:

  • Fifteen western hognose snakes were housed individually for one year in either enriched or standard environments.
  • Brain volumes were assessed using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).

Main Results:

  • Snakes in enriched environments exhibited significantly larger overall brain volumes compared to those in standard environments.
  • Enrichment effects were most pronounced in posterior brain regions.
  • Sex-specific differences in brain investment were observed, with males showing larger cerebral hemispheres and females larger posterior brain regions as they grew.

Conclusions:

  • Environmental enrichment is vital for promoting healthy brain development in snakes.
  • Snake brain plasticity is comparable to that observed in mammals and birds, highlighting the importance of stimulating environments for reptiles.