Category Archives: cognition & neuroscience

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”

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”

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”

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 -_-“

Witchcraft, Poison, Law, and Atlantic Slavery – Paton, 2012 The use of these kinds of things was widespread with slaves in Dominica using grave dirt in bottles, and Georgia slaves using conjure bags

The Vodun Way of Death: Cultural Symbiosis of Roman Catholicism and Vodun in Haiti – 1979 Africanism in Haitian Vodun The Dessounin Ritual of Death:The Degeneration and Regeneration of Being Conclusion: Vodun death rituals have pieces of Christianity as seen with the presence of Christian prayers and religious artifacts used in the rituals. The symbiosisContinue reading “Human Cognition and Culture – Voodoo & Christianity”

Only child syndrome in snakes: eggs incubated alone produce asocial individuals – Aubret et al. 2016 Abstract: Egg clustering behaviour has many advantages like anti-predatory, moisture maintenance, temp control, prevention of eggs rolling and hatching synchrony through embryo communication. In this experiment water snakes were housed either in clutches or individually to see if theContinue reading “Eggs can talk?”

Environmental Enrichment Alters the Behavioral Profile of Ratsnakes (Elaphe) – Almli and Burghardt, 2006 Abstract: 16 sub adult rat snakes (Elaphe obsoleta), 8 in enriched conditions and 8 in standard for 8 months. Enrichment came in the form of additions to enclosures with elevated hide, and loose substrate to burrow in as well as liveContinue reading “Rat snakes benefit from enrichment”

Preferences for nesting material as environmental enrichment for laboratory mice – Van de Weerd et al. 1996 Abstract: Behavioural and psychological needs of laboratory animals generally cannot adequately be met in standard laboratory cages. Environmental enrichment, which provides a more structured environment can enhance the well-being of laboratory animals. They may perform more of theirContinue reading “Fit for the Crib? Mice Prefer Certain Nesting Material”

Aggregation and social interaction in garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) – Morgan & Miller, 2020 Introduction:Reptiles in general tend to rely on a method or variety of interactions called cryptic sociality, in which they use chemical cues to interact with conspecifics. However this is very hard to study given its invisible in most situations. TheContinue reading “Friendship over Feeding – Young Snakes Need Friends”