Quote Originally Posted by StrmChasr View Post
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She's such a curious girl. Been watching me for 10 minutes.
Yeah, they tend to do that when they figure out that the "giant thing" moving around in the distance is what brings food. Instead of watching for the slight movement of a small frog or rodent and fleeing from the "giant thing" they watch for the "giant thing" to bring them food. I know that's an oversimplification but every time I "domesticate" a WC or deal with newborn CB litters I can't help but think that there's no other thing they could be thinking.

I just had about 15-20 newborns take their first meal today (very cautiously / with trepidation) Before that meal they were so nervous and flighty of my approach that they would literally leap a few centimeters up into the air in hopes they could get away from my shadow. ONLY the individuals that have eaten, now watch me and even come to investigate my presence. Coincedence? I don't think so. it's intelligence. Many people perceive most dogs as being more intelligent than any snake. It's obvious to me that they are at least equally intelligent even if they aren't willing to "do tricks" for their their treat. Dogs only do that because pleasing their keeper = survival. I've seen wild garters do it out of pure curiosity. I personally, have not a chance to witness a snake species/genus displaying equally inquisitive intelligence besides the indigo family. Those are like "giant garters"

Your garters watch you for the same reason a wild one watches the surface of a drying pool full of tadpoles. Because they know if they watch long enough, a meal opportunity will come. Clearly this contributed and continues to contribute to their evolutionary success. Maybe that's why we like them so much. They're like hominids in that intelligence pays off.