the snake/human relationship

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jglass38

I'm not sure either theory has much merit. Ball Pythons have poor eyesight. They rely on their sense of smell (through their tongues) and their heat pits to track prey. They can tell you aren't a prey item because you don't smell like a rat. However, I don't believe that they can tell your smell from another person's smell. Their brains just aren't advanced enough in that way.

---

Then what is your reasoning for this statement?

"For example, yesterday my sister and I were walking, sister was holding Harlett, and the snake stretched out from her shoulder onto mine. She does this every time she is given to someone other than myself."

My snakes do that almost every time...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SnakieMom

Then what is your reasoning for this statement?

"For example, yesterday my sister and I were walking, sister was holding Harlett, and the snake stretched out from her shoulder onto mine. She does this every time she is given to someone other than myself."

My snakes do that almost every time...

---

My guess would be that she has a warmer heat signature. But my guesses are based on knowledge of how snakes operate and hers is based on anthropomorphization.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jglass38

Where do you get your information from?

---

Just from reading lots of accounts from various sources. IIRC there was a post by one of the members yesterday about a WC that would only relax when held by one person.

Whether or not they care is an entirely different matter...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SnakieMom

Then what is your reasoning for this statement?

"For example, yesterday my sister and I were walking, sister was holding Harlett, and the snake stretched out from her shoulder onto mine. She does this every time she is given to someone other than myself."

My snakes do that almost every time...

---

My snake can clearly see shapes around him but he also uses touch to establish the exact boundaries. He definately can't see that well.

I personally believe that snakes can tell their owner...CH of course...wild maybe not so much, but most pet snakes have been with their owner since they were little. But like many of you say snakes can't because that is what science says...but I think this goes much farther then science...because they dont know everything...

Most of us have a connection to the snake and maybe the snake feels the same connection (just like the thread starter stated my snake always comes back to me...regardless even if he is put on the floor by a friend...always makes it to wrap around my feet from the other side of the room for safety and then ventures off...or when in a friends hand...just crawls off him and back to me)...might be hard to prove...but it is in the same boat as believing if their is a god...or if we are alone in the universe...

I personally have grown to disbelieve parts of science..because scientist are human too...and are not perfect.

That is my two cents...but I believe that snakes can differentiate and if they "can't" then my snake sure is one hell of an exception.

amen! :bow: :snake2:

Being terrestrial and spending most of their time in the dark i would say like most animals of the same habitat poor eye site is definite. Snakes have far less retinal cones and rods than people meaning less to no colour detection and visual acuity depending on species. Infrared vision developed in the trigeminal nerve would also vary by species. I've been told vipers have the best infrared vision over any other but I believe most if not all snake have some form a infrared vision. I dont see why Ball pythons wouldnt be able recognize features in their environment including their keepers by using limited vision, infrared and smell. Surely we cant all smell and look the same in shades of gray and infrared. Maybe even touch?

I was under the impression they had a keen sense of smell/taste. If so, this would be all they needed since everybody has a unique stank on 'em :O

I believe we'll never know exactly how snakes "work" and I do believe they use the combination of their senses in making determinations about the world around them. No living creature depends on one of their senses, it's always a subtle combination of information from various sources that makes up their reaction to things.

Do I believe that snakes "prefer" one person over another. To some extent yes as much as that word indicates a choice made by the snake. Does that choice mean they "like" that person best? Probably not. For me when it comes to Saoirse for instance I think it's just an instinctive action driven by a simple but very instinctive and strong need to survive. Mike = survival for that snake so it makes sense she's most relaxed with Michael. As I mentioned previously though that has slowly extended to other human beings over a long period of time.

I do strongly believe though that snakes can pick up things from those that handle them. Put a relaxed snake in experienced hands and things tend to go well, put that same snake in the hands of a nervous, excited person whose a bit afraid of snakes and may see a different reaction even if it's just a tensing up of the snake. I'm not sure what the mechanics are of this, but it has always made perfect sense to me that a predator can pick up a wide range of information from us using a wonderful variety of it's sensory organs. Snakes don't have large brains but they do have extremely well made and very specific ones designed to help them survive and thrive.

Personally I think they are perfectly designed by nature, I appreciate whatever that means to be me and our snakes and leave it at that.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jglass38

I'm not sure either theory has much merit. Ball Pythons have poor eyesight. They rely on their sense of smell (through their tongues) and their heat pits to track prey. They can tell you aren't a prey item because you don't smell like a rat. However, I don't believe that they can tell your smell from another person's smell. Their brains just aren't advanced enough in that way.

---

I know that my RTB can smell a rat (no pun intended) the minute I go into the room with a rat its in predator mode before it sees the rat and before the rat is anywhere near its cage.
I know this because it strikes out at my movement before I have even put the rat down to open its cage and feed it.

I don’t know about snakes being about to tell by the difference between one humans and another though. That would be a cool scientific experiment to find out though.