Do our snakes recognize us?

[kgfernan]

I just got to wondering this because I had recently been on vacation for a couple of weeks and my boyfriend was left home to take care of the snakes. Well my ball python refused to eat the entire time I was gone, my boyfriend said he wouldn't even acknowledge that the rats existed, he even left them in tank over night. Before I left I made sure that my boyfriend could properly thaw the rats and get them to the proper temperature. I was so worried the whole time I was gone because Nox (my bp) has never refused a meal before, he LOVES feeding day!

I guess he just really doesn't like my boyfriend since he just at a nice rat for me no problem .
So do you think that maybe they begin to recognize their primary caretaker by scent, and that a different person may make them stressed out?

[Chadharper]

I'd also like to know the answer. My BP dont "jump" when i pick them up but will act scared when picked up by anyone else.

[kgfernan]

I've noticed this as well, just like when I hold him he explores and is active but if anyone else holds him he curls into a ball and acts very scared.

[Karbon]

I would say yes (though i'm no expert) but not in the way we recognize other humans.

I'm fairly sure that a snake can tell the smell of one human as opposed to another. As for visually being able to tell humans apart, no they can't.

Again, i'm no expert, but they DO have an amazing sense of smell so I wouldn't be surprised if they could tell by only smell.
Someone correct me if i'm wrong

[MarkS]

I think they do recognize us. Many years ago when I was keeping snakes in glass tanks I had them in my basement on a table next to the washing machine. Most of the time they would just lie there in their hides with their heads near the hole looking out. When my wife would walk by the tank they would totally ignore her. When I walked by the tank they would come out of their hides and come right up to the front of the glass and watch me (even when I didn't have food with me). The difference between us being I'm the one who fed them, my wife didn't. I'm sure they couldn't smell me from inside the tank, so they must have been reacting to what I looked like and and when they saw me they were hoping to get fed.

[BLMinFL]

I think so yes...only because with our snakes, Fred, Sam, Aries and Gypsy will do anything to get to me. (can you say mama's babies)

I think that its not only smell but our body heat.

[seeya205]

My daughter (she is really nice to them but jumpy) goes in the snake room and they hide in their hides and just peek out a little and when I enter, they usually come out. This is the same when my daughter opens then tub but when I do it, my two big females come out of the tub and up my chest to my shoulder. I believe they do know us some how!

[xxxLIGERxxx]

interesting stories! mine however, is accustomed to be handled by almost everyone since i always try to bring her to my volunteer service and let my co volunteers handle her. i also bring her to my lectures when i discuss animal bites and do lecture my students on leaving snakes alone when they see one and not try to kill or catch them. after that, i ask if anyone wants to hold and take a picture of her

i guess they do know who their owners are and will try to beg for food maybe?

[IndySnake]

I would say yes (though i'm no expert) but not in the way we recognize other humans.

I'm fairly sure that a snake can tell the smell of one human as opposed to another. As for visually being able to tell humans apart, no they can't.

Again, i'm no expert, but they DO have an amazing sense of smell so I wouldn't be surprised if they could tell by only smell.
Someone correct me if i'm wrong

I'm no expert either but I tend to agree with this statement.

I recently got a Cal King and he was aggressive at first but he seems to be getting use to me. Now when my wife or son gets close, he still flips his tail and either musks' or almost does....I really do feel as though he is getting use to me, but only me so far.

[Shenzi Sixaxis]

I would say definitely. Definitely by smell, maybe sight, and possibly by the sound of our voices, how our hands feel, our general body temp (if your's is stable), routine, how we breathe, how our hearts beat, ect.

Just my thinking. The lucy rat I got with my BPs was a doll for the previous owner, but he hates me. Eats like a champ, though. XD