Steve's Snake Observations

[guidofatherof5]

I thought their hearing was quite primitive with their other senses developed to compensate. Although this isn't based on any sort of active reading I've done around the subject.
Is it possible that they heard a loud noise and were bringing their other senses to bear to try to identify the source? Rather than knowing it was dogs and looking to see them coming?

When I first read your reply I was going to respond with something like this "I never meant to imply they knew it was a dog but only reacted to the sound"
Now, I'm not sure that is true. Since these snakes have probably grown up in this area they may very well have known it is a dog having firsthand knowledge(being harassed or even attacked) of these predators.
I know that nothing I have posted here is even vaguely related to fact but it does bring up some interesting thoughts.
I for one think that garters have good memories and feel they could learn that a certain sound means possible danger.
They certainly weren't reacting to the bird calls, motorcycles and jets sounds that are regular in the area.

[jitami]

The moment they barked the two snakes looked over in that direction.Is it possible they heard the barks from that distance? If so, I have a new respect for their hearing.

Sorry for going MIA again, but I've observed this with my guys as well, although the dogs are at a much closer distance - mostly under my feet while I'm making them breakfast or dinner, or perhaps in the next room waiting impatiently for dinner to be delivered. I make the dogs' food on the counter right in front of one of the snake enclosures and the snakes, Frick and Frack, always want to see what I'm up to, but if the dog barks they often jump and go into alert mode for a moment or two. I always assumed it was the vibrations. Although it's nearly always the same impatient dog, all three of mine have deep barks. Now that I think about it, I have seen the kingsnake do this once or twice, too.

[chris-uk]

Sorry for going MIA again, but I've observed this with my guys as well, although the dogs are at a much closer distance - mostly under my feet while I'm making them breakfast or dinner, or perhaps in the next room waiting impatiently for dinner to be delivered. I make the dogs' food on the counter right in front of one of the snake enclosures and the snakes, Frick and Frack, always want to see what I'm up to, but if the dog barks they often jump and go into alert mode for a moment or two. I always assumed it was the vibrations. Although it's nearly always the same impatient dog, all three of mine have deep barks. Now that I think about it, I have seen the kingsnake do this once or twice, too.

That's some anecdotal evidence to suggest that they can distinguish sounds. Possibly not associating it with a known danger, but it bothers them enough to know it's not good.
I expect there's some research that involved sound amongst all the research papers on garters over the years.

[EasternGirl]

I have been convinced for a while that my snakes can distinguish sounds. I know for a fact that Cee Cee knows the sound of my voice. Perhaps she cannot hear like we can, but she must know the frequency of the vibration of my voice...because she can be hiding in her cave, unable to see me, and I can go to her enclosure and call to her...and she will come out. Seeley also responds to a certain "high pitched call sound" that I make to get his attention.

[Hollis_Steed]

I know it sounds crazy, but I have a little wandering garter who once escaped and was hiding in a book shelf. When I discovered he was MIA, I called to him, the same way I do when I feed, and I'll be danged if he did not come poking his head out of his hiding place!

[EasternGirl]

Doesn't sound crazy at all to me...like I said, my snakes come out from hiding when I call to them all the time.

[Didymus20X6]

So that thing in Harry Potter where the snakes can hear, in reality, they actually can. Huh.

But they still don't have eyelids, and therefore cannot wink!

[kibakiba]

My voice seems to calm (some) of my snakes down... Whenever Mama or snakey get scared, a little talking calms them down pretty fast. Maybe the familiar "vibrations" and such from my troat are just soothng... Because they don't calm down on their own when that happens.

My babies also freak out sometimes when the dog barks... I know Spots has flung him/herself at our dog with his/her mouth agape when I was showing my mom, Lovey jumped onto the couch and barked.. Spots didn't like it I guess.

[EasternGirl]

My crazy cat keeps going up and scratching at Cee Cee's tank. It's driving her crazy. Evil cat spawn.

[kimbosaur]

My snakes don't seem to respond to any sound...

My voice seems to calm (some) of my snakes down... Whenever Mama or snakey get scared, a little talking calms them down pretty fast. Maybe the familiar "vibrations" and such from my troat are just soothng... Because they don't calm down on their own when that happens.

Could it be that they are picking up on your relaxed energy rather than getting soothed by your voice?