Do you think snakes "imprint" on their owners?

My king knows it is me or not that is looking at her or handling her. However, recently my Children Python did something interesting. He always poked his head out when I go up to his tank. I figured it is a food thing only, nothing more, as he loved to eat. Then the other day, a friend came by to visit. She approached his tank to join me looking at him in his tank. He had a third of his body already poking out checking me out. Then as my friend gets closer, he immediately scurried back into his hide and refuses to come out. So it can be a food thing AND knowing the difference between a familiar/safe person vs stranger.

I think it is most likely just the sense that we are their safety spot in an unfamiliar place. Rosey my big boa wrapped around me at the vet and wouldnt let go of me. Finally when the vet and nurse got her off me, she fought them tooth and nail to get back to me and when she got her head to me, she gripped me like the grip of death. The vet and nurse gave up and let Rosey sit on me while they did the exam lol. Once on me she was fine with anyone touching her and she was curious but off me, she only had one purpose on her mind. And trying to stop a 7 foot determined female BCI isnt happening.

Kevin from Nerd, in one of his books states he believes they recognize us to some extent. I experienced the stare and body position for food and dirty tanks. And have the boys occasionally looking at me simultaneously a day or two before feedings. I don’t think they technically imprint though.

I believe they do, at least to some degree. I have snakes that are very calm when I handle them, but much more active when I let someone else handle them. Some of them, my corns in particular, come up the the cage door to watch me when I’m in the room but don’t pay much attention to visitors. My burm used to watch everybody.

I agree with what everyone else stated. That over time, the snakes can differentiate between their keeper and other people. I have experienced the same as others, where my snake would be totally comfortable with me, but a stranger comes in the room, and the snake goes into fear mode. So that is sort of imprinting in a way.