Surprisingly snuggly pythons upend what scientists thought they knew about snakes

A new study has challenged the long-held belief that snakes are solitary creatures, as researchers have discovered that ball pythons actually enjoy each other’s company. The findings, published in the journal Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, shed light on the surprisingly active social lives of these snakes.

Quantitative ecologist Morgan Skinner, who co-authored the study, suggests calling a group of snakes a “cuddle of snakes” based on his research findings. The study, conducted at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, involved observing the social dynamics of ball pythons in a controlled environment.

Contrary to popular belief, ball pythons were found to congregate together in one shelter despite having individual shelters available to them. Skinner and his colleagues were surprised to see the snakes choosing to spend the majority of their time together, challenging the notion that they are solitary animals.

The researchers meticulously conducted their study, shuffling the snakes into different shelters twice a night to observe their behavior. Despite the availability of solo spaces, the snakes repeatedly chose to congregate together, showing a preference for social interaction.

Vladimir Dinets, a reptile social behavior specialist at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, commended the study’s methodology, noting the researchers’ thorough approach in exploring the social behavior of ball pythons.

While it remains unclear if ball pythons exhibit similar social behavior in the wild, Skinner believes that their group dynamics may serve a purpose in terms of protection from predators or maintaining optimal conditions for digestion. Additionally, the snakes’ solitary hunting habits may have contributed to the misconception that they are antisocial creatures.

The study’s findings add to a growing body of research suggesting that other seemingly solitary species, such as sharks and octopuses, may also exhibit social behaviors that were previously overlooked. Recent studies have shown that great white sharks and brown bears interact more frequently than expected, while octopuses have been observed breeding in groups and hunting in packs with fish.

Overall, Skinner emphasizes the importance of recognizing that most animals have some form of social behavior, challenging traditional notions of solitary lifestyles in various species. The study on ball pythons highlights the need to reconsider our understanding of animal social dynamics and the complex relationships that exist within different species.