Target Training Reptiles

What is target training, and why should I care?

Target training is teaching an animal to identify and respond to an object in a specific way, usually by rewarding the behavior with food.

You’ve most likely seen target training with canines. We commonly train dogs to touch targets, “place” on a mat or bed, and to walk nicely on a leash, all with various levels of target training. Well, dogs aren’t the only ones who can benefit!

So what benefit does target training have for reptiles?

It can serve as a form of enrichment, exercise, behavioral development, and a method to make caring for our critters more accessible. For herptiles who have an enthusiastic feeding response, target training can help the animal associate a target with food (instead of your hand, for example). Many zoos use this technique with their animals, as well.

Some reptiles who are more hesitant to be handled benefit from this exercise, as is the case with our adoptable bearded dragon, Ash.

This is Ash.

When Ash first came to the Herpetological Society, she was skittish around people. She didn’t enjoy coming out of her enclosure or being around humans. Eventually, through the power of operant conditioning (offering a tasty snack to reward approaching/contact with people), she is improving every day!

How to Train Your Dragon

Since herptiles are wired much differently from mammals, they require a slightly different procedure to participate in target training.

First, the animal is presented with a target. We use a red, orange, or yellow ping pong ball on a stick. This allows us to offer the target to an animal that is farther away (hiding in their tank, for example).

Next, we observe for behaviors from the animal. Looking at the target is a great first success! Once they have looked at the target, they are immediately rewarded with a tasty snack - a feeder insect. The feeder is kept out of sight until this moment, so that the animal can interact with target without distractions.

As they get used to the routine, we wait for the reptile to approach, touch, lick/bite, and finally chase the target when presented. We have to be more patient with herptiles, as they attend to this task at their own pace.

If you have questions about target training herptiles, or want to try it for yourself, feel free to reach out to us or get involved! We enjoy sharing our enrichment activities with our volunteers during animal care days.

If you try target training at home, please send us photos or videos! We love to celebrate success with our community!

Send your photo or video to: lisa@nocohs.org