The intelligence of big Boids.

[Boadicea]

Call me crazy but my snakes seem to have taken thermoregulation to a whole new level.
Due to their destructive ways with vivariums my larger Burmese pythons have been living in a bedroom in my house for the last year. I am in the process of building them some new tanks - emphasis on process since life has a habit of getting in the way. There is underfloor heating in this room that is powered by a three pronged plug into a double adaptor in a wall socket. There is a thermostat dial that is supposed to control the temps but it is a bit dicey with the result that I have been coming in and switching the thing off at the wall socket in the morning and switching it back on at night. All under the interested eyes of their royal highnesses.
The day before yesterday I went in to switch it off and discovered it was already switched off - the double adaptor was just slightly out of the wall socket enough not to make contact. I left it like that as there was no danger of them pulling the plug out because it was still firm in the socket. That night I went in and pushed it back in so that it went on.
The next morning I went in to switch it off and it was already off using the same method of ever so slightly dislodging the double adaptor.I left it at that.
Last night at about 09h00 I looked into their room to push the adaptor back in and saw that it was already on.
I have a sneaky suspicion that those snakes know exactly what they are doing.
They also try the door handle periodically when they are active at night and scared me half to death at first until I got used to it.
Has anyone else had experiences of a similar nature or is it just me?

[balls'n all]

One of my albino Burmese, +- 4m has opened my bedroom door on more than one occasion. I've locked it since but that fact alone has reassured me of their massive intelligence! They are truly amazing creatures .

[sachak]

That is truely impressive, maybe hook up a camera in there and try film it because that will definately be one for the books.

I did goto one of my friends, friends houses begining of 2009 and witnessed a fairly lage burmese python who could open the door to his room, and he didnt just do it once in a blue moon he did it everytime you closed the door on him without locking it, there was a broom next to the door that he would clumb up and then he would lean his head and neck on the handle and pull it down using the weight of his body, then he would make his way to the lounge, it was very impressive to see that happen in front of my own eyes cause I refused to belive it till I saw it with my own eyes and it definately wasnt a hoax, so I am fairly certain that these snakes are not as dumb as we think they are but I could be mistaken.

[Bushviper]

My Burmese python (which i have managed to find a new home for) loved opening his cage and then throwing everything down in the room. He would lift himself up against the glass and then fall over which would slide the glass open. He would do this on a daily basis so it was not by accident. If you forgot to lock the cage he would use that day to go "walk about".

[Boadicea]

Thanks guys for your accounts! I am feeling reassured that I'm not crazy after all and that my Burms are really as intelligent as I think they are. I find that people who keep exotic animals have much more practical knowledge of them than the scientists who study them as mere observers. We get to learn their behaviour and thinking on a much more intimate level. But people like us seldom like to share their stories for fear that friends and acquaintances will think they are mad.
@ Sachak: Will try to catch them in the act on film.
My Burmese also let me know when their water bowls are empty. Although I do check their water daily they sometimes manage to spill it in the course of the day. (When a big snake gets into a water bowl, the water generally gets out). The bowls are stainless steel and the knock then about the room so that they make a noise. My dogs do the same thing with their plastic water bowls around the house. If one is empty they knock it so that it moves against the floor or wall and makes a noise. I adore my Burmese pythons. The shape of their heads is so beautiful.
@BV : Why did you get rid of your Burm? Making room for some retics hmmm?

[Bushviper]

Yip I need space for snakes that are growing like weeds. I still have a nice albino female burmese which needs a home (hint hint).

[balls'n all]

Haha I'm in the market BV

[Hustler]

This is some crazy stuff haha who would have ever though that they could be that smart! I know my male burm always pushes his tub open once he's done feeding. He will always go to the cornes an push it until it either opens or you let him out. He never tries the middle or the sides of the tub, he always always goes for the corners! Very smart animals they are .

[JPWittstock]

Hey BV,
My Burmese do exactly the same thing with opening their cages, until I installed locks on the glass that is. I however see them trying it everyday just in case I have forgotten to lock their cage. I have space for your female Burmese or that other odd looking Albino super t*^%# thingy. Lol Just give me a shout.

JP

[Bushviper]

Nope the Albino super tiger has not learnt to open his cage so he is quite happy where he is now. I will keep your offer in mind though.

I also use the bent wire lock thing and this stopped the midnight run arounds. The most important thing is to not let the "spike" extend into the cage too far and scratch the snake. They are easy to make and if you attach them with a string then you dont forget to put them back.