A snake's ability to recognize or bond with it's owner?

I am happily owned by 2 ball pythons. I love them dearly and have often wondered about a snake's ability to recognize or bond with it's owner. I've seen signs personally with my snakes that seem to say yes, they can. I'd love to hear stories of people getting love back from their snakes. Or, if you don't think that they can, write about that too. All views are welcome. And any experiences you've had with your snakes is greatly appreciated :)

I don't think it's possible for them to "bond." They are very simple animals. If anything, I think they can MAYBE decipher a "safe smell" and an "unsafe smell" that somehow links them to a bad experience. They know how to hunt & defend themselves. That's about all, in my opinion at least. I love all my babies just the same, don't get me wrong, but they aren't like dogs or birds that do bond.

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Originally Posted by M&NSnakeDen

I don't think it's possible for them to "bond." They are very simple animals. If anything, I think they can MAYBE decipher a "safe smell" and an "unsafe smell" that somehow links them to a bad experience. They know how to hunt & defend themselves. That's about all, in my opinion at least. I love all my babies just the same, don't get me wrong, but they aren't like dogs or birds that do bond.

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Well said.

I'm sure they can link smells with a threat or non threat but that would be about all. A snake doesn't have emotions and as much as we all want to believe that our snake loves us, it's just impossible. That's like people think that they enjoy handling, when it's that they tolerate it and more so enjoy the heat our body gives off.

My friend had a African Rock that only HE could take out of the cage, if anyone else tried he would go crazy And strike at you or the side of the cage while you opened it, if my friend opened it he was perfectly fine and maybe hissed... Once out he was puppy dog tame for anyone but getting him out... Yeah no...

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Originally Posted by zeion97

My friend had a African Rock that only HE could take out of the cage, if anyone else tried he would go crazy And strike at you or the side of the cage while you opened it, if my friend opened it he was perfectly fine and maybe hissed... Once out he was puppy dog tame for anyone but getting him out... Yeah no...

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Well that could be linked to the snake knowing his scent versus an unknown smell. I think he overdid the story a bit though.

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Originally Posted by Neal

Well that could be linked to the snake knowing his scent versus an unknown smell. I think he overdid the story a bit though.

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I actually agreed with the scent part but took it out..lol. And it wasn't a story. I witnessed it quite a few times. He also tore up my arm quite a few times. Lol

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Originally Posted by zeion97

I actually agreed with the scent part but took it out..lol. And it wasn't a story. I witnessed it quite a few times. He also tore up my arm quite a few times. Lol

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I mean the puppy dog tame thing is a stretch. Not that it's okay with him and not with you. That's mainly because of the smell. No snake is puppy dog tame though :p.

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Originally Posted by Neal

I mean the puppy dog tame thing is a stretch. Not that it's okay with him and not with you. That's mainly because of the smell. No snake is puppy dog tame though :p.

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Oh fine! :rolleyes: lol

My corn snake is very defensive around new people, but 100% fine with me. There is no bond between snake and human, though. They recognize smell. They know two types of interaction. Prey and predator. We aren't prey or predator, so I think they think of us as more of just objects or something. They don't necessarily like us, but they don't necessarily mind us. Just my opinion.

From what I understand, ball pythons and most reptiles have brains that function solely in survival mode. They don't have the brain structure for emotion. But part of the survival process is adapting and recognizing safety from potential danger. Do I think snakes can recognize their owners and associate a trust with them? I think it's entirely possible, but I doubt very highly that any snake develops feeling of love or admiration for anything.