Reptiles Are Trainable, Too
Advice from Animal Expert Dr. Grey Stafford
 Despite the fact that many people find reptiles (also called ectotherms) repulsive, (just ask “Your Life A to Z" host, Lisa Haffner) there is a large segment of the population that loves snakes, tarantulas and other creepy creatures. Furthermore, these reptile lovers often swear by the intelligence of their unusual pets. And where there’s intelligence, there’s trainability.
I’m not suggesting that a giant spider will learn to play fetch, but it is possible to teach reptiles some basic cooperative behaviors such as being held or shifting from one enclosure to another.
As with dogs and cats, training reptiles begins with knowing your animal and its basic needs. And, for animals that use the environment to maintain their body temperature, a good heat source can be as rewarding for them as a tennis ball is to a golden retriever. Of course, they also respond well to safe and secure surroundings. This means you can teach them to accept being handled. Our hands and shirt pockets, (I even knew a teacher that walked his iguana through the school’s hallways by perching it on his head and shoulders) can be a warm, inviting place for pet reptiles provided we handle them often and do so by making slow, deliberate movements. The more we handle them, the more reliable they will stay.
Still not convinced of the value that snakes and other reptiles offer? Well, here are a few myth busters…
Snakes and other reptiles help control pest animal populations that might otherwise carry disease.
The recent Samuel L. Jackson movie notwithstanding, snakes are usually timid. They do not go looking to pick a fight with people. They will however, defend themselves if startled or provoked so be alert while hiking or rock climbing—prime snake habitat.
Snakes are not slimy. Their scales are slippery smooth but definitely not slimy. Some snakes are so afraid of predators and humans that they will sometimes expel sticky, smelly wastes in a last ditch attempt to repulse would-be attackers. Does that sound like a bully, to you?
Most snakes hunt by constriction. Only a small percentage of snakes are venomous. Arizona does have the largest number of rattlesnakes of any state in the union, but even here snakes have more to fear from humans than vice versa.
~ Dr. Grey
Learn more about Dr. Grey Stafford
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