Affectionate Snakes! :)

I dont believe reptiles have the same type of emotional responses that dogs, cats etc do, they just weren't made that way. However they absolutely have their own unique personalities. I also believe that while they don't show love by "hugs and kisses", they do develop trust. You know when a snake is comfortable with you and they know you won't hurt them. Fear is what keeps them alive in the wild and when they trust you and are taken care of properly I believe that is a type of bonding for sure. But there are other positive things about them not needing the same social/emotional needs of a dog, cat, etc. If I don't get my snakes out or I go on vacation, their feelings will not be hurt. I don't have to worry about their emotional needs by NEEDING to show them affection. They don't poop on my carpet because I was gone all day etc. Lol. But I do love to snuggle my babies and they seem very comfortable with it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by iPanda

You know retics have keeper recognition like King Cobras? If i go up to Pajama's cage and talk to him, he'll come right up and look at me, and give a couple tongue flicks. Anyone else, they get no response. it's a familiarity response

---

I haven't seen this behavior with my retic: notice I didn't say all snakes, I was only talking about mine.

I've noticed that my boa seems more comfortable when around myself or my boyfriend than anyone else, since we've been with her from the first day we brought her home. I think she can recognize myself, my boyfriend, and the few other people she sees on a daily basis. As for "cuddling" with us or being affectionate, well... we call her willingness to hang around our shoulders and not wander off "cuddling", but in all honesty it's probably just because we're warm. :P

I believe they have basic emotions and even curiosity, but I don't think they have emotions like "love". She's never bitten me but she has no problem giving anyone a piece of her if she feels like it, and if we leave her alone for a week she'll act just the same when we take her out than if we took her out every day. Sometimes she'll do the same cheek-bump or tongue-flick on our face and we call them "kisses" too, but I'm always careful to watch her to make sure I don't get a "kiss" with teeth. :P


I wonder if anyone's ever done a psychological test/study on snakes or reptiles. That would be interesting.






I know it was just good shutter timing, but this is one of my favorite photos! A nice "kiss" on my cheek from Satin:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5.../Photo0427.jpg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Daybreaker

I haven't seen this behavior with my retic: notice I didn't say all snakes, I was only talking about mine.

---

How long have you had him? That's crazy! Mine definitely knows me from others.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by iPanda

How long have you had him? That's crazy! Mine definitely knows me from others.

---

I've had her for a year and got her when she was less than one month old. I can tell that certain snakes of mine seem more relaxed when I handle them over my bf (my retic being one of these) but I don't believe they know it's me in the sense that they can recognize my voice :)

I enjoy showing affection to my snakes, although I'm pretty sure they're not capable of returning it in kind. They do seem to have just a gentle nature though, that I appreciate!

But I will say, my roommate and I joke that my female normal thinks of me as "Familiar-Smelling Thing" whereas he is "Unfamiliar-Smelling Thing." She acts fearful of him and calm around me. The other snake has no opinion. :o

I personally don't think reptiles (especially snakes in particular) feel any kind of emotion besides instinctual ones. I do not believe they can be "affectionate", love, be "happy" or "angry", none of that. I think the only reason they may "cuddle" as you say is because your body is a giant heat emitting machine, and since they don't produce their own body heat, they get as close to you as possible.

However, I do think they can get used to a certain owner, and become uneasy when someone else handles them. I think they get used to your particular sent, and recognize that you aren't going to harm them. I've had people that handled my biggest Ball Python that I've had since I was 14 (17 now) and I can tell she is definitely not as comfortable with them as she is with me.

I've noticed that my ball seems to be more content being handled by me than by others. If I am near a guest who is holding him, he will tend to stretch out in my direction. I just assume it's a scent thing but it could just be a coincidence. If I am lying on the sofa, he will always curl up in the same spot on my chest. I used to always think maybe he was a familiar/secure with my heart rhythm as a "safe place" but who really knows. As an adult, he's handled less but still tends to exhibit these same behaviors. Although, I'm sure if you put a warmer bodied person next to me, I'd be left in the dust in a flash!

I dont think any of my snakes care about me at all. That being said i believe they get use to certain smells and sights and with time they can feel comfortable being around you.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by xFenrir

I've noticed that my boa seems more comfortable when around myself or my boyfriend than anyone else, since we've been with her from the first day we brought her home. I think she can recognize myself, my boyfriend, and the few other people she sees on a daily basis. As for "cuddling" with us or being affectionate, well... we call her willingness to hang around our shoulders and not wander off "cuddling", but in all honesty it's probably just because we're warm. :P

I believe they have basic emotions and even curiosity, but I don't think they have emotions like "love". She's never bitten me but she has no problem giving anyone a piece of her if she feels like it, and if we leave her alone for a week she'll act just the same when we take her out than if we took her out every day. Sometimes she'll do the same cheek-bump or tongue-flick on our face and we call them "kisses" too, but I'm always careful to watch her to make sure I don't get a "kiss" with teeth. :P

---

Thats pretty much what Salem does. He nudges my cheek and some times he'll lay his head against my cheek. It may be because I'm warm, but there are times when I'm cold and he'll still do it. He will however respond to my voice, whether its just because he's picking up those vibrations or not I don't know. Maybe someday I'll get a video taken of it when I'm not so afraid to show off my ugly mug.