Environmental enrichment, new neurons and the neurobiology of individuality – Kempermann, 2019 Introduction: Environmental enrichment (EE or ENRs as stated in this paper) is basically known as a combination of inanimate and social stimulation. EE is hard to compare sometimes b/c so many studies used different set ups like keeping the cage size the sameContinue reading “Environmental Enrichment in Neuroscience – A review”
Author Archives: K of Kyrene
Enrichment on neural pathways
Neural Consequences of environmental enrichment – Praag et al. 2000 Brief introduction: There are a lot of studies that claim environmental stimulation has positive effects on the brain and brain function with neuronal plasticity. Basically when one cell excites another repeatedly over time, it or both gets better at this process with observable differences inContinue reading “Enrichment on neural pathways”
Personality found in rattlesnakes
Investigating personality in vipers: individual rattlesnakes exhibit consistent behavioral responses in defensive and exploratory contexts – Gibert et al. 2022 Abstract: This paper looks at personality in 20 captive Western rattlesnakes using 5 repeated trials including a handling assay, an open field test and a threat assay. They found that certain behaviours related to exploration,Continue reading “Personality found in rattlesnakes”
Snake fecal analysis method notes
Fecal samples were kept at -20 degrees Celsius Fecal prep: The feces were thawed and 1g of wet weight was added to 1000 microlitre double distilled water and vortexed for 30secs with stuart SA8. Serial dilutions were made of the fecal homogenate from 10^-1 to -10 with double distilled water. These dilutions were titrated andContinue reading “Snake fecal analysis method notes”
Venom Collection from Duvernoys Gland
Properties of Duvernoys Secretions from opisthoglyphous and aglyphous colubrid snakes – Weinstein & Kardong, 1994 Extraction of duvernoys secretions: methods, yields and storage: The normal milking technique is not suitable for snakes with rear fangs and duvernoys glands that have weak venom release systems. Also electrical stimulation doesn’t work well given their altered muscle structureContinue reading “Venom Collection from Duvernoys Gland”
Girls want girls – Rats benefit from group housing
Short Communication: Rat’s Demand for Group Size – Patterson-Kane et al. 2004 Abstract: Since social isolation can be detrimental to rat welfare, pair housing and group housing were explored. The study was conducted using the following group sizes 1, 2, 4, 6 and 12 rats. Pair housing was beneficial in reducing aggression and disease. InContinue reading “Girls want girls – Rats benefit from group housing”
How not to do a snake enrichment study -_-
THE EFFECT OF VARIED ENRICHMENT TYPES ON SNAKE BEHAVIOR – Krishnan et al., 2022 Abstract: 18 species of snakes from 2 families of colubridae and pythonidae were exposed to 4 types of enrichment consisting of humid hide, olfactory, climbing and suspended hide. Baseline observations and observations for 2hrs post introduction were conducted, there was noContinue reading “How not to do a snake enrichment study -_-“
Using MRIs for snake venom gland observation
This is gonna be a bit different than usual posts cause it will be an amalgamation of a couple papers to piece it together for my own experiment with western hognose snakes. Evolution and diversification of the toxicofera reptile venom system- Fry et al., 2009– My experiment will be using western hognose snakes in variousContinue reading “Using MRIs for snake venom gland observation”
Anesthesia is the best venom extraction method
Biochemistry and pharmacology of colubrid snake venoms – Mackessy, 2002 Extraction of venom from colubrid snakes– these types of snakes (including western hognose snakes) have a weak delivery system because of low pressure which means using the normal forced milking process of pressing the venom glands physically results in low venom yields. Also given thatContinue reading “Anesthesia is the best venom extraction method”
Venom Analysis via Saliva (Hognose snake)
Evidence of mild toxicity in the saliva of the hognose snake (Heterodon) – McAlister, 1963 Introduction: This paper focuses on whether the saliva of H. platyrhinos is venomous to small animals. Previous studies looking at different snakes that are deemed as non-venomous showing swelling/toxic effects after bites are mentioned in this study. Methods:n=3 adult femalesContinue reading “Venom Analysis via Saliva (Hognose snake)”
Al3xandria 