New Studies on Reptile Intelligence: How Smart is Your Pet?

[findi]

Hi, Frank Indiviglio here. I’m a herpetologist, zoologist, and book author, recently retired from a career of over 20 years with the Bronx Zoo. A key indicator of intelligence is said to be behavioral flexibility – the ability to modify actions to fit new situations. Long thought to rely mainly upon instinct, reptiles have not been credited with much “brain power”. However, recent research revealed that many reptiles are capable of solving complex problems that are not “covered” by instinct, and can use what they’ve learned in the future (see NY Times; Nov. 18, 2013). Although reptiles diverged from warm blooded creatures at least 280 million years ago, some meet or even exceed the problem-solving abilities of birds and mammals. This will not surprise reptile owners, of course!
I’m often amazed by what I observe among the reptiles under my care, and would like to summarize some of that, and several interesting experiments, here. I hope you will post your own experiences below. This is a new area of research, so please feel free to boast, and remember that each new observation, however fleeting, has value.
Read the rest of this article here http://bit.ly/1gny9B3

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My Bio, with photos of animals I’ve been lucky enough to work with: http://bitly.com/LC8Lbp

Best Regards, Frank Indiviglio

 

[The Snark]

The first question that comes to my mind is time frame. Reptiles interact with their environment so differently one could consider them from a different planet as far as analyzing their habits and modus operendi. A mammalian response is often immediate where a reptile can take a few seconds, minutes, or even a graduated response that is accumulative.

So lay it on us, Frank old bean. I'd love to hear of your findings. Is there a publication on this on the horizon?

 

[findi]

The first question that comes to my mind is time frame. Reptiles interact with their environment so differently one could consider them from a different planet as far as analyzing their habits and modus operendi. A mammalian response is often immediate where a reptile can take a few seconds, minutes, or even a graduated response that is accumulative.

So lay it on us, Frank old bean. I'd love to hear of your findings. Is there a publication on this on the horizon?

Hi ..thanks; the points you mention are among the main reasons that herps have long been considered incapable of learning much, etc. From lab temperatures to a different way of reacting to researchers, there are so many factors that influence results; even well-experienced researchers misinterpreted what they observed, etc...I'll keep an eye out for interesting studies, Best, Frank

 

[The Snark]

Nod nod nod! A friend introduced a pair of Jackson Horned chameleons into a cool temperate clime where they had their own carefully manicured tree as outdoor habitat. Of course the chances of survival, let alone a successful mating were nil. 18 months later he wrote a paper accompanied with carefully documenting photos of the tree, the happy couple, and their surviving 14 offspring and presented that to the San Diego zoo experts. A lot of inconclusive head scratching followed, along with shaking their heads in wonder. Impossible.
(Some years down the road my friend was rewarded for his efforts when his job application to the SD zoo was immediately accepted.)