Can snakes sense emotions

[spellbound04]

I don't know if anyone knows the answer or if there's really any research for it, but I had a weird thought. So, I know dogs are famous for their ability to sense the feelings of their owners (ie crying when the owner is sad, barking and growing when the owner is scared, etc.) I was wondering if this was the same at all with snakes? Today I was having a horrible day, waterworks and everything 😒, and it was the first time in nearly a month that my BP didnt eat. There of course are many variables to this (ive been bumping up how much I feed him so hw may not have been hungry, he hasn't pooped yet, maybe the mouse wasn't as thawed as it usually it) but I'd like to think maybe my little guy was feeling empathy for me (of course I wish he didnt show this by not eating &#128551 but anyways just wondering if anyone has any experiences/info about this! Thanks!

1.0 Normal
Normal doesn't mean boring! 😊

[Zincubus]

On the other side scientists have done studies showing how handling snakes had a very calming effect on autistic and hyperactive children ..

[spellbound04]

On the other side scientists have done studies showing how handling snakes had a very calming effect on autistic and hyperactive children ..

Really? Thats amazing! It makes sense, its sort of like playing with a really cool slinky lol, but honestly thats super neat, thanks for the info!

1.0 Normal
Normal doesn't mean boring! 😊

[redshepherd]

If you're asking seriously and not as a joke- They don't feel empathy, love, hate, jealousy, or any of these "feeling" type of emotions. When owners think their ball python are feeling love or emotionally connected with them, it's just projected desires.

[Sauzo]

Like mentioned, they dont feed love, hate, jealousy etc but i do think they feel security and do retain knowledge of their owner through familiarity. When i took my beardie to the vet the first time, she was terrorfied of the vet and pooped on her and then leaped on the exam table and then onto me and ran up my shirt and hide under my chin. My big girl Rosey when she went to the vet, she spent the whole time trying to get back to me. The vet and nurse had a time holding her down lol. Finally the vet just let her sit on me while she did what part of the exam she could as Rosey was quiet and curious on me but off me, she did nothing but try and get back to me.

And i swear Rosey and Gina actually seem to enjoy coming out to wander around or sit on me. Probably just me projecting the feeling but sometimes when i open Rosey's door, she is more than happy to climb out onto me for a ride. Caesar also seems to enjoy interacting with me but he isnt a big fan of being dragged around for me the most part lol.

[redshepherd]

My big girl Rosey when she went to the vet, she spent the whole time trying to get back to me. The vet and nurse had a time holding her down lol. Finally the vet just let her sit on me while she did what part of the exam she could as Rosey was quiet and curious on me but off me, she did nothing but try and get back to me.

That's precious!! I definitely think certain snakes learn familiarity and what is "safe" and what is unknown, and recognize their keepers.

This is not quite as related, but I read a story a zookeeper wrote about how their king cobra escaped the enclosure one day and was out in the room (not where the public can access). Something like three or four zookeepers, including the person posting, went in to get it back. They described that the king distinctly looked at each zookeeper in turn, recognized his main keeper, and beelined straight for him. :0 Not to attack or anything, but I guess it was some sort of automatic response to going toward the first thing he recognized. That said, king cobras are supposedly really smart relative to most snakes.

[spellbound04]

If you're asking seriously and not as a joke- They don't feel empathy, love, hate, jealousy, or any of these "feeling" type of emotions. When owners think their ball python are feeling love or emotionally connected with them, it's just projected desires.

I'm being completely genuine. As a snake lover I have always felt like they have the capacity to have moods (maybe not as strong as legitimate feelings) that influence their actions. I very much hope that my Rory will start being like your girls someday, that was such a cute story 😁

1.0 Normal
Normal doesn't mean boring! 😊

[spellbound04]

I'm being completely genuine. As a snake lover I have always felt like they have the capacity to have moods (maybe not as strong as legitimate feelings) that influence their actions. I very much hope that my Rory will start being like your girls someday, that was such a cute story 😁

1.0 Normal
Normal doesn't mean boring! 😊

Sorry that was a bit of a response to both of you in one, hope it wasn't too confusing :/

1.0 Normal
Normal doesn't mean boring! 😊

[Sauzo]

Oh i know they have moods. Caesar has times where he doesnt want to be bugged and he will swat my hand away with his body. Times he wants to have 'fun time', he is front and center when i open the cage to interact with me and lays there while i pet him or sniffs my arm

And @Redshepherd, Yeah, both the vet and nurse told me i must take good care of my animals as they all seem to love 'dad' lol.

[JustinGatCat]

Snakes are pretty primitive. Most lizards and reptiles are... with only a handful of species showing "higher" intelligence compared to other reptiles. Because of their simple psychological standing, snakes can't feel complex emotions or express higher level thinking. Many people like to anthropomorphisize their animals, thinking they feel things like love and stuff but it's really one sided. They simply can't. Their lives in the wild would've revolved around a solitary existence, only being with others of their own kind during mating. They're alone for most of their lives, so there's no need to know love or compassion or jealousy or anything like that.

But that isn't to say they're not feeling. Unlike animals like insects or invertebrates that are really simple, snakes can feel emotions. While they're definitely simple, there's no denying they can feel something. As I noticed from observation of my own little guy, he definitely shows curiosity, comfort, trust, contentment, fear, anxiety, and even determination. He's definitely bright enough to understand his world in some way, remember things such as myself, feeding times, and various areas around my room and home. And he even seems responsive to my moods, such as when I feel happy or sad. I'm guessing he can smell the chemical signals and scents I give off and he's just curious what the new smell is. He probably can't comprehend them, but his ability to react is definitely something.

My snake doesn't love me. It's psychologically impossible for him to do so. No matter how much I love Pua, he'll never be able to return my feelings back the way my dog or cat does. However, Pua trusts me. He recognizes me as a safe place. A being which protects and feeds him, and gives warmth and makes him feel secure. It's not love, but it's close enough.


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