title: Predators in training: operant conditioning of novel behavior in wild Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivitattus).
abstract: Large pythons and boas comprise a group of animals whose anatomy and physiology are very different from traditional mammalian, avian and other reptilian models typically used in operant conditioning. In the current study, investigators used a modified shaping procedure involving successive approximations to train wild Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivitattus) to approach and depress an illuminated push button in order to gain access to a food reward. Results show that these large, wild snakes can be trained to accept extremely small food items, associate a stimulus with such rewards via operant conditioning and perform a contingent operant response to gain access to a food reward. The shaping procedure produced robust responses and provides a mechanism for investigating complex behavioral phenomena in massive snakes that are rarely studied in learning research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology, 150 West University Blvd., Melbourne, FL, 32901, USA.
authors.forename: Sherri A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Emer
authors.forename: Cordula V
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Mora
authors.forename: Mark T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Harvey
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Grace
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017821:Boidae; D003216:Conditioning, Operant; D004193:Discrimination Learning; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011235:Predatory Behavior; D012201:Reward