Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Psychology

Program Name/Specialization

Behavioural Neuroscience

Faculty/School

Faculty of Science

First Advisor

Noam Miller

Advisor Role

Advisor

Abstract

Snakes are often considered non-social animals. However, this is mostly an untested assumption and the limited research that has been done has shown that snakes interact socially when given the opportunity. Here, the complexity of snake social interactions was explored through a social cognition and personality lens. Group and individual behavioural assays were used to explore flexibility and consistency in social interactions. The results provide evidence that elucidate the function, development, and evolution of these behaviours in snakes. In the first experimental chapter, chapter 2, social network analysis was used to provide a detailed description of aggregation behaviour in 4 separate groups of juvenile gartersnakes. This experiment demonstrated that snake social behaviour is consistent across an 8-day period, and conditionally consistent across different social contexts – akin to a social personality. It also demonstrated that snakes seek out social interaction and explore their environment together. A long-term analysis of gartersnake social interactions across development is reported in chapter 3. In this study, the social behaviour of a group of snakes was repeatedly assayed from 2 months of age to post-maturity. . This demonstrated social patterns similar to those found in other animals, such as: the gradual development of preferred associates; stable association patterns that restructure post-maturity; and sex-based social roles that change over time. In Chapter 4, the development of two personality traits in gartersnakes was examined through individual rather than group assays and in response to social isolation. The results suggest that developmental changes in gartersnake personality may facilitate sex-biased dispersal and, additionally, that the expression of the boldness trait may depend on sex differences in social ecology. In chapter 5, the relationship between boldness and social interaction was explored in gartersnakes. This experiment compared boldness across both social (with a partner) and non-social contexts. It demonstrated that in a social context, gartersnakes flexibly conform to the boldness of their partner, but also display individual differences in flexibility. In Chapter 6, the chapter 2 experiment was replicated with a species of snake thought to be less gregarious than gartersnakes – ball pythons. This demonstrated that contrary to common belief, ball pythons are highly social and share some patterns of social interaction with gartersnakes. This suggests that some components of snake social behaviour may be shared broadly, while others might be shaped by differences in ecology.

Understanding social patterns in snakes has a number of important implications for their successful conservation, their captive welfare, and for understanding the evolution of sociality. Compared to some species, snakes do not have complex social systems: they tend not to cooperate, they do not form long-term social groups, and most species do not provide parental care. In this way, understanding snake social interactions provides valuable information on the type of social systems and social behaviours that can evolve without the added complexities found in some vertebrate social systems.

Convocation Year

2024

Convocation Season

Fall

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