Recently seen on the internet:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=M-9S8CQlMUw

http://www.smoothweb.be/content/slang-kan-deuren-openen-video

Regards,

Joachim

We use a form of operant conditioning to study thermoregulatory behaviour in lizards, but not snakes. We might have references studies on operant conditioning in reptiles in general. You could check out our two papers on this.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/23669151_Decreased_precision_contributes_to_the_hypoxic_thermoregulatory_response_in_lizards?ev=prf_pub

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/24236442_The_effect_of_thermal_quality_on_the_thermoregulatory_behavior_of_the_bearded_dragon_Pogona_vitticeps_influences_of_methodological_assessment?ev=prf_pub

If I come across any snake papers I'll let you know.

Article Decreased precision contributes to the hypoxic thermoregulat...

Article The Effect of Thermal Quality on the Thermoregulatory Behavi...

Thank you both for your help.

Joachim - I forwarded the youtube video on to all in my email list. Here is a video that NSF and the Bio department did on Sherri's project: http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/science_nation/infraredsnakes.jsp

Glenn - thanks for the reference. We used a very similar set up when we looked at place preference of rats; noticed a shift to the cold temp plates after sleep deprivation.

Ask Gordon Burghardt. He's done work with snakes, although I'm not sure if operant conditioning was involved. http://psychology.utk.edu/people/burghardt.html