Has A Snake Got A Brain?
The short answer is yes, every snake in the world has a brain, but there is various levels of brain intelligence across the different species of snake there is.
Connected to the brain is the Jacobson’s organ, this organ is where a snake forked tongue will retract back into the mouth of the snake, then press into this organ. Now this is how a snake understands and recognises smells as the smell in the Jacobson organ goes straight to the brain to understand.
Do all snakes have small brains?
No, not at all the reticulated python is thought to be one of the smartest snakes in the world (as well as being the biggest snake on the planet find out more here!).
They use their brains for tactical hunting and captive snakes will remember the day which they are fed if it is on a schedule.
We will use a dog as the comparison, a snake is nowhere near as smart as a dog. They are great hunting predators and their ability to have such a high population in the world without legs or arms showcases just how much of a hunter they are.
You will not be able to teach a snake tricks like a dog is able to learn, their brain does not understand the communication, snakes are solitary reptiles, so there is no need for them to be social with any other creature.
Snake brains in comparison to mammals?
We will use a dog as the comparison, a snake is nowhere near as smart as a dog. They are great hunting predators and their ability to have such a high population in the world without legs or arms showcases just how much of a hunter they are.
You will not be able to teach a snake tricks like a dog is able to learn, their brain does not understand the communication, snakes are solitary reptiles, so there is no need for them to be social with any other creature.
Do Cobras Have Brains?
Yes, among the top tier of intelligent snakes are cobras. Though the brain works in an entirely different way too many others. So, we will explain exactly what is different:
How they hear sounds, snakes do not have ears that function like humans, they are completely deaf but can pick up vibrations. The sounds wave that travel through the air come into contact with the snake, this then transfers through the muscle until reaching the inner ear bone under the skull of the snake, this then is moved to the brain for processing what it is.
Second is how a snake will process smells, unlike most animals which use their nose which directs takes in air and is processed by the brain. A snake’s brain processes the smells slightly differently. There is just an added step which is the tongue of a snake will go out flicker up and down repeatedly gather air particles, it them retreats into the mouth and press into the slots at the top of the mouth known as the Jacobson’s organ.
A snake’s brain will not show emotion or get attached to another snake or owner, even if they have been caring for the snake for 15 years, the snake couldn’t care less. This is not because snakes are not particularly nice animals, it is their brain does not have the ability to process emotion.
Snakes are such amazing reptiles and all off the different species have adapted in thousands of ways to their environment, which makes them a special hunter.
