can u train a snake

[bluevern]

just wondering if you could train a snake to fetch,,and roll over and beg and all that

[rogerr]

I believe they can be difficult to train, but is is possible.Why not go to your local library and ask for a book on snake training?
☺

[wolf63]

if it has just eaten your dog - maybe.

Sorry - couldn't resist that.

[rogerr]

By the way, why do you need to train it? Has it started hissing at the postman?

[Thunderbird+]

An Indian snake charmer may be able to train a snake to rise from a basket with flute music but I dont think you will get one to bring back your paper from the corner shop :>)

[andy-hughes]

No, you can't 'train' a snake.

Snakes have very simply reptile brains which are devoted to eating and reproduction, and that's it.

The only way you can train any animal is with a reward / punishment system, and a snake's brain is nowhere near sophisticated enough to assimilate such concepts.

Snake charmers don't 'train' snakes - they irritate the snake enough to make it assume a 'strike' pose, with its hood extended. Apart from hunting for food, snakes are essentially passive and will avoid any conflict if they can, but will fight if cornered.

All the charmer does is assume a potential threat pose by invading the snake's personal space, and then weaving movements capture the snake's attention. The music from the charmer's pipe is for the benefit of the audience - snakes do not have ears.

As anyone who deals with snakes will tell you, they are dangerous wild animals, and should be approached as such. If you want a pet to train, get a puppy.

[rogerr]

Errr we all knew this was a wind up Q, so answered accordingly.

[Booldawg]

my snake can do all of those and more. Having trouble with 'Give paw' - He justs looks at me blankly, 'give paw sidney, give paw' , just stares at me.

[juddlinski]

Snake's can be trained to make very good draught excluders.

[Eastender]

You can always learn it to dance Snake Rattle & Roll (sorry could'nt resist that one).

[juddlinski]

Andy Hughes is just jealous because of his lack of snake training abilities. He probably got bit and wet himself, so he hates snakes now.

Well, Andy, there's really no need to take it out on the rest of us.

Snakes can be trained to do most household tasks such as hoovering and washing up. My pet python 'Geoff' does a cracking Lasagne.

[andy-hughes]

Drat ... rumbled again!!!

Bah, and let's be frank about it ...Pah!

And a curse on all the sharp-toothed leggless tortoise-headed ... thingies!!!