I think my snake loves me

Not too long ago, people thought that air was simply the absence of everything else. That it didn't have mass and was not tangable, and therefore could not be manipuliated to our advantage. Along comes Bernoulli. And, of course, now we all know that air is tangable and indeed does have mass. As soon as we understood this we were able to fly!!!

Then everyone thought that sound was intangable (again because we couldn't see or touch it) and therefore we could not use IT to our advantage. Enter Marconi, and now we can all watch tv and talk on our cell phones to each other.

The next frontier seems to be THOUGHT. Most people today believe that thought is not tangable. That it exist only in our heads. Many people reason that we can't see it or touch it, therefore we can't use IT to our advantage. Well I don't put myself in the same catagory as Bernoulli and Marconi, but there is no doubt in my mind that thought is in fact a tangable thing. It does have mass and transcends time and space. As soon as we have a thought it exists everywhere all at once. The possibilities are endless once we begin to accept this.

To prove this concept to myself I decided to materilize a dozen yellow roses using nothing but my thoughts. I placed pictures of yellow roses on my refrigerator, my bathroom miror and my pillow. I thought about yellow roses all the time especially every evening and every morning. I used all of my senses. In my mind, I tasted the rosed, I hurt myself on the thorns. I imagined that my pillow was stuffed with rose pedals. And I didn't tell a soul what I was doing. After about two weeks of this, I was at work one day when a white van pulled in the driveway. I began to tremble. I knew what was about to happen and suddenly I didn't want it to be true. But it was. The driver handed me a dozen yellow roses!!! They were from an aquaintance in Germany!!!! I called to thank her and she told me the story of how about "two weeks ago" she had started smelling flowers all the time. And how thoughts of flowers came to her throughout the day. And how finally one day she couldn't stand it any longer, and passing by a flower shop decided to stop in. She told me that she decided on the spot to buy herself a dozen roses but began to feel selfish and changed her mind. She would send the flowers to a friend instead. She choose me, and at the last minute she asked the clerk to change the order from red roses to yellow roses.

My point is this... every creature has a thought process, and every though is projected into the universe. People tend to think that we are somehow better than all other creatures. We tend to personify everything, especially our pets. But we also tend to forget that we ourselves came from lower life forms!!!! Every life form has the ability to evolve into any other life form. It happens all the time but so slowly that we tend to deny it because we cannot see it happen. Our own evoloution to a higher life form is what has enabled us to have these emotions we love to talk about so much. There was a time in our past when we were not capable of love just the same way you believe your snake is not capable of these higher emotions. Hello folks... we WERE the snakes!!!!

So I will remain open-minded that all living creatures are capable of evolving into higher life forms just as we did, and therefore carry the capacity for love always. Just because we are at the top of the food chain right now does not mean that we will always be. A million years from now snakes may sit around wondering if humans are capable of love.

Pretty cool post, Jenn. But it may be too "out there" for some people's taste.

I leave it at - we don't really know, do we?

I see evidence of an ever growing bond with the sweet BP we've had for only a few months. I wonder how amazing that will be in 5, 10, 15 years. He seems to really enjoy being a household pet. He seems to recognize who who knows and doesn't know and shows preferences for the familiar over the strange, for the gentle and loving over the wilder handlers.

How do you know snakes can't love or hate? Have you ever been given the super human talent of feeling what other creatures experience?

I believe they do "feel" ... hell, i have one bp that's ticked off all the time and hisses any time i stick my hand in the tank and who strikes the glass when i walk by and another who while very young, escaped his tank (my own fault) and after hours of looking everywhere, i flop on my bed to cry and feel something under my pillow, turns out my escape artist turned up in my pillow case ... not my husbands, or in a nice warm spot.

He knows I'm the one who rubs my nails gently down his back - he arches himself so that i don't lose contact all the way to the tail. I drop the mice in his tank. I made him feel better when he had mites.

Maybe a snake loves (respects, admires, is thankful for) their owner if they are treated right (and I choose to believe this), but any creature who is cared for by another recgonizes the caretaker and will usually respond with an affectionate demeanor.

Cobra's will spit aiming at the eyes of what it feels to be it's enemy (it's a snake, how does it know to spit towards the eyes? It's not human but knows what to do to us to disable us quickly).

If a snake can instinctively know how to harm us, don't you think that if we respect them for what they are and provide them with all their necessities they just might develop a respect (or dare i say a love) for us?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ksbrneyes30

How do you know snakes can't love or hate? Have you ever been given the super human talent of feeling what other creatures experience?

---

I do have super human talents but that is neither here nor there.

;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ksbrneyes30

escaped his tank (my own fault) and after hours of looking everywhere, i flop on my bed to cry and feel something under my pillow, turns out my escape artist turned up in my pillow case ... not my husbands, or in a nice warm spot.

---

Of course it was YOUR fault.

So your saying that you didn't secure one of your enclosures and your snake got out....slithered his lil self all over sniffing your pillow out cause...He loves you...

I don't buy it. ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ksbrneyes30

I made him feel better when he had mites.

---

How did he get mites?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ksbrneyes30

Maybe a snake loves (respects, admires, is thankful for) their owner if they are treated right (and I choose to believe this), but any creature who is cared for by another recgonizes the caretaker and will usually respond with an affectionate demeanor.

---

What are you referring to...dogs, cats, domesticated animals???

You are probably right...your snake just wants to be hugged and kissed...

I tell you what...If your snake 'knows' you so well and LOVES you soooo much...Hold a rat on feeding day and then put just your hand in the tub and tell me if he strikes you. I mean...if he loves you why would he strike you???

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ksbrneyes30

Cobra's will spit aiming at the eyes of what it feels to be it's enemy (it's a snake, how does it know to spit towards the eyes? It's not human but knows what to do to us to disable us quickly).

---

uhmmm I don't know anything about cobras but I would have to say....that is their defense mechanism...which they do to all other species also.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ksbrneyes30

If a snake can instinctively know how to harm us, don't you think that if we respect them for what they are and provide them with all their necessities they just might develop a respect (or dare i say a love) for us?

---

Sure...cause snakes are just that complex.

:gj: :rolleyes:

DUDE BURN. :D

ksbrneyes30, how can you even presume to oversimply their behavior like that? Do you really think your snake PURPOSELY went to your pillow because he adores you???? God I really hope that is not your line of thinking.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ksbrneyes30

How do you know snakes can't love or hate? Have you ever been given the super human talent of feeling what other creatures experience?

---

No I haven't. But as humans we like to think that emotion is a trait solely possessed by humans. Is it possible that animals can feel emotion...maybe..but to take a firm stand that "YES THEY CAN" with no more proof than we can offer to disprove the fact is just as naive.

Quote:

---

I believe they do "feel" ... hell, i have one bp that's ticked off all the time and hisses any time i stick my hand in the tank and who strikes the glass when i walk by

---

This sounds like a fear response not an anger management problem. See because we as larger creatures with round pupil forward set eyes are seen in the animal kingdom as a predator. This sounds like when you walk by the cage or stick your hand into it your snake feels like your going to try and eat it. So it tries to keep you from it. Even a long time pet snake with snap into defensive mode if surprised or startled.

Quote:

---

and another who while very young, escaped his tank (my own fault) and after hours of looking everywhere, i flop on my bed to cry and feel something under my pillow, turns out my escape artist turned up in my pillow case ... not my husbands, or in a nice warm spot.

---

As heart warming a thought as this is you must remember your snake had also been dozens of other places before that and had it not been found would have been many more places after the pillow case.

Quote:

---

He knows I'm the one who rubs my nails gently down his back - he arches himself so that i don't lose contact all the way to the tail. I drop the mice in his tank. I made him feel better when he had mites.

---

Please try something for me get your husband to try this with a wooden spoon or just his hand and see if you don't get the same response. Again this is a typical response that I get from snakes I have had for years and snakes I don't even own.

Quote:

---

Maybe a snake loves (respects, admires, is thankful for) their owner if they are treated right (and I choose to believe this),

---

I am glad that you feel so strongly about your pets it is a great thing to be an animal lover and even more so because they are herps. I just hate to think that you have false expectations about what your snake gets out of being your pet.

Quote:

---

but any creature who is cared for by another recognizes the caretaker and will usually respond with an affectionate demeanor.

---

And yet you have one that hisses and strikes and wont even let you in it's tank. So is that because of the caretaker or because the animal is afraid?
Lions that are well cared for and loved by the people that care for them killer their keepers, The family dog will bite if scared or injured even if the person is acting in its best interest.
In the end snakes are wild animals could they survive in the wild maybe but that doesn't make them any less wild.

Quote:

---

Cobra's will spit aiming at the eyes of what it feels to be it's enemy (it's a snake, how does it know to spit towards the eyes? It's not human but knows what to do to us to disable us quickly).

If a snake can instinctively know how to harm us, don't you think that if we respect them for what they are and provide them with all their necessities they just might develop a respect (or dare i say a love) for us?

---

Spitting cobras spit for the same reason balls ball up its how they have over years learned to best protect themselves.

Do i feel that reptiles can learn to understand we aren't going to hurt them, in a word show them that we aren't a predator. The answer is a resounding YES!!!!!

Do I feel they can experiance love as we do or on any level no. As much as I would like to have snakes that missed me when I am gone and cried when I came home from a long trip, its just not how the animal is designed.

Just my two cents

I don't really care to argue whether snakes are capable of emotion and/or to what level, because it's all speculative. I do know humans are capable of emotion, however, and that the way some of you treat each other is downright unnecessary and appallingly unkind. I saw a lot of it in this thread and it upset me a lot.

There is no reason to be cutting. It doesn't promote your point of view... at all. If anything, it turns people off to it and makes them write you off as conversationally not worth while. I see it all over this forum. I hear people complain about it all the time. I think this is the kind of thing Brian was talking about the other day on Reptile Radio, and it sucks. :taz:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Morphie

I don't really care to argue whether snakes are capable of emotion and/or to what level, because it's all speculative. I do know humans are capable of emotion, however, and that the way some of you treat each other is downright unnecessary and appallingly unkind. I saw a lot of it in this thread and it upset me a lot.

There is no reason to be cutting. It doesn't promote your point of view... at all. If anything, it turns people off to it and makes them write you off as conversationally not worth while. I see it all over this forum. I hear people complain about it all the time. I think this is the kind of thing Brian was talking about the other day on Reptile Radio, and it sucks. :taz:

---

Yikes. I was wondering about that myself (on Reptile Radio). And I see the brutality, too, though when I mention it might be aimed at me, I am labeled defensive, etc.

Anyway, there are a lot of good people and good posts, and no matter how much I personally get bashed (ooops, being defensive again there), I still love it here. I'm learning about grains of salt. :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Morphie

I don't really care to argue whether snakes are capable of emotion and/or to what level, because it's all speculative. I do know humans are capable of emotion, however, and that the way some of you treat each other is downright unnecessary and appallingly unkind. I saw a lot of it in this thread and it upset me a lot.

There is no reason to be cutting. It doesn't promote your point of view... at all. If anything, it turns people off to it and makes them write you off as conversationally not worth while. I see it all over this forum. I hear people complain about it all the time. I think this is the kind of thing Brian was talking about the other day on Reptile Radio, and it sucks. :taz:

---

Unfortunately, this is true of all Internet forums. And really, any human society. It's just that on the Internet, people feel more free to be snotty to each other than they would face-to-face. But they're still just as snotty in their hearts in real life, if they behave that way in the semi-anonymous venue of a forum.

The problem is, we can't legislate "nice". We can't make rules that force people to be kind and generous and patient and understanding. We can't control the fact that some people are just naturally abrassive, even if they are kind hearted. And we can't control the fact that some people behave rudely just to entertain themselves and see how much drama they can start without actually breaking any rules.

The best we can do is set a good example and use community "peer pressure" to help people learn to get along with each other. And I'd say that BP.net does a much better job of it than 95% of all other forums of similar size and nature.

If someone feels that this sort of thing is becoming a problem...the very best thing to do is set the example by being kind and patient to everyone, even those who annoy you. Complaining about it openly only makes things worse by making it appear to be a far more prevelant problem than it really is. Although I'll say this...one benefit to a public complaint is it gives me a chance to step in and remind everyone to try a little harder to be nice and remember that people aren't going to come and learn how to do better if we make them feel stupid or drive them away with sarcasm or elitist attitudes.

I'm pretty convinced that our snake knows who I am and correlates my smell with care and recognizes the vibration of my voice when I come in his room at night and talk to him.

If humans have human emotions, isn't is possible that snakes have snake emotions? That when temps and humidity are right - when they're healthy and well fed - aren't they generally calmer and therefore happier in snake terms?

If they had nothing, their behaviors wouldn't change when uncomfortable or not well cared for. Behavior and feelings and/or emotion go hand in hand, I believe, in all living creatures.

It might not be love as we know it - but there's definitely something there otherwise how would we know when we're doing the right thing?

I’ve read the bulk of these messages with interest at the developing dialogue. There have been some very good points and opinions shared on both sides of the debate.

Personally, I do not feel comfortable making a hard-line statement such as, “No, snakes can’t feel emotion/love.” I am not, after all, a snake. I believe it is a human trait to attempt to ‘humanize’ the world around us, and to use ourselves as the basis of comparison when interacting with outside forces.

Perhaps snakes are capable of experiencing a spectrum of emotion we may not be capable of ourselves. When we attempt to associate their actions with human motivations, it may seem as if they are acting purely based on instinct, but only as far as the comparison extends. I would hold that this may not always be the case.

Maybe a snake will never feel for me what I feel for it, on the same level, but I don’t believe it experiences no associative emotions at all. They are not robots; no matter what side of the fence you are on in this debate, I doubt anybody would deny that each snake has its own personality. If they are capable of that level of individuality and distinction, why not some form of emotions as well?

I can only offer my own opinion and propose some statements aimed at generating contemplation. In the end, I believe the decision on whether or not to believe your snake has emotions is up to the individual.

For myself, I say yes, even if we cannot always recognize them. There is something that transcends bare instinct; people have said that lizards don’t feel emotions either, but years ago when my lizard was dying, there is a reason I was the only person he wanted to hold him and was calm with right up until the end.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by NightLad

For myself, I say yes, even if we cannot always recognize them. There is something that transcends bare instinct; people have said that lizards don’t feel emotions either, but years ago when my lizard was dying, there is a reason I was the only person he wanted to hold him and was calm with right up until the end.

---

I mean i think lizards and snakes can recognize you from your scent or w/e, that doesn't mean that it loves you...dogs can express emotion, i can put food infront of my dog and know he won't bite me...dogs are capable of loving and they are loyal...and i dont think snakes or lizards can, they don't come to you if they feel scared or anything like that, they don't protect you...idk just thought i'd make that point, idk if anyone else has or not...just sayin.

I just figured out what's wrong with this thread. It's in the "General Python" thread list. Only Ball Pythons, not just any old python, is capable of love. :O Kidding, I'm kidding!!!!!!!!! :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Shaun J

To those who answered, My snake loves me, how did you come up with that conclusion????

---

My largest boa follows me around and sits at the dinner table with me, she never leaves my side, and sleeps with me in the bed.:D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by KiwisHeaven

My largest boa follows me around and sits at the dinner table with me, she never leaves my side, and sleeps with me in the bed.:D

---

kinky

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by patthesnakeman

kinky

---

She's my best friend of 6 years...she even has wagged her tail a couple of times when I pet her....I think snakes can feel some what I think that they correlate smell to caregiver, therefore, most of them are calm, but then you have some snakes who dislike you no matter what, I mean constantly trying to bite you and hissing, thats a sign of dislike...and dislike is an emotion.

My Big red tail, Calla, strikes at drunk people... I think she understands more then people give her credit for.

And I am kinky but not that kind of kinky...lol:banana:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by KiwisHeaven

My largest boa follows me around and sits at the dinner table with me, she never leaves my side, and sleeps with me in the bed.:D

---

What kind of boa is that?

Um... maybe you should read the thread I started on bathing/showering with your snake?

You're kidding about the tail wagging, right? Do you mean the "cat-like," oooo that feels good wave that goes down the body?

I believe snakes don't love in the sense that we do, but I do feel that they connect in the very basic of means. Basically, it boils down to this: Trust vs Mistrust. It's like the same conecpt with an infant, they don't love, but they do trust and rely on you for everything they need for their lives. I think snakes understand that too. When we go into their cage, they expect something from you, whether it's food, water or exercise, it's something needed to maintain their lives. They know that. They trust you.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by KiwisHeaven

She's my best friend of 6 years...she even has wagged her tail a couple of times when I pet her....I think snakes can feel some what I think that they correlate smell to caregiver, therefore, most of them are calm, but then you have some snakes who dislike you no matter what, I mean constantly trying to bite you and hissing, thats a sign of dislike...and dislike is an emotion.

My Big red tail, Calla, strikes at drunk people... I think she understands more then people give her credit for.

And I am kinky but not that kind of kinky...lol:banana:

---

So, she doesnt like drunk people? Are you sure she doesnt like the acrid smell of alcohol, the swaying, the poor motor control of a drunk. and Why is she around drunk people?

Do we have to tag such specific words like "love" and "commitment" to a snake when it would easily fit in the category of "I feel no stress with you" or "you stress me the flip out"

Again, I still stand by my opinion that any behavior from a snake can be put into one of two broad categories of: Fear or secure.
I believe they can feel either stressed and fearful, or secure and content. Whether it's towards their enviroment or keeper. They strive to find a secure setting, and strive to find food because they are basing their actions on their instincts.

If a snake feels secure and safe around you, then take the compliment. I dont think you should try and complicate it by labeling it as affection or love. Even in the simplest sense, I don't think they have any emotions. That doesnt mean it's a robot, it's able to make its own decisions, but that doesn't mean it's "reasoning" things out at any level close to ours except basic repetition and small patterns.

I dont know if they do or not. But it is not a fact that snakes can't feel emotion. Has anyone read When Elephants Weep? It has some good points.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by KiwisHeaven

she even has wagged her tail a couple of times when I pet her

---

What's next? Roll over?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MelissaFlipski

What kind of boa is that?

Um... maybe you should read the thread I started on bathing/showering with your snake?

You're kidding about the tail wagging, right? Do you mean the "cat-like," oooo that feels good wave that goes down the body?

---

Well some of us do keep out snakes as pets...and some of us are a little more open minded then others...
for example...did you see the mythbusters where they tried to find out if plants knew the moods of people?
If not then I think you should find it and watch it...maybe it will open your eyes a little!

When does open-minded cross over into gullibility?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by KiwisHeaven

Well some of us do keep out snakes as pets...and some of us are a little more open minded then others...
for example...did you see the mythbusters where they tried to find out if plants knew the moods of people?
If not then I think you should find it and watch it...maybe it will open your eyes a little!

---

If you're talking about the polygraph testing they did with plants I'm pretty sure the proved it a myth, no?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Spaniard

If you're talking about the polygraph testing they did with plants I'm pretty sure the proved it a myth, no?

---

Actually I watched it the other night...It wasn't a myth

Uhuh... so plants recognise our moods now. Could that be attributed to carbon dioxide levels? Or what? interesting... Now the vegans have nothing to eat!

Perhaps this should shed some light.

http://www.the-scientist.com/article/display/15726/
http://skepdic.com/plants.html

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

Perhaps this should shed some light.

http://www.the-scientist.com/article/display/15726/
http://skepdic.com/plants.html

---

if you ever to a communications or essay writing class, you would know that these are not good links to use for information....

Thanks, I have taken a few writing classes, and while it focused more on writing, I can't say they ever steered us away from "unreputable" sites. I can do more research if you'd like, but that's just what google brought me first. The general consensus of googles hits was that this was debunked many times. Not only for a poor testing practice, but because science does not label plants as having the 5 senses.

I won't just throw all that knowledge away from the collective facts of science just because this guy thought his plants were happy and sad, or understood threats of violence towards them. Sounds all very supernatural. I even found those links from a supernatural discussion forum. Even they were having a hard time believing it. They were discussing whether or not the carbon dioxide levels were different from talking to your plants, and that vibrations from your sound waves stimulated the plants more than your thoughts or moods. But that was just a non-scientific, supernatural forum.

They are with me though on one thing, what are the vegetarians supposed to eat now??

Must have been a different show you were watching because I just checked the Mythbuster website and found this...

http://mythbustersresults.com/episode61

"
Polygraph tests indicate that all living things share some form of interconnected consciousness.

busted

Tests were done by connecting plants to a polygraph’s galvanometer, and then employing actual and imagined harm upon the plants or upon others in the plant’s vicinity. The galvanometer showed some spurious readings (showing some kind of reaction about 1/3rd of the time), so a much more accurate EEG machine was used. When Grant and Tory used a machine that dropped eggs randomly into boiling water, the plant had no reaction. Additionally, Tory’s leukocytes had no reaction when Kari shocked him with a stungun."

And i must comment, myth busters isn't the most scientific show ever...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

And i must comment, myth busters isn't the most scientific show ever...

---

I agree, but I'm just getting the facts straight. ;)

LOL, I think it's a great show, but I have to scoff at some of their methods, if you know what I mean.

It is what it is....Entertainment. I love watching Adam get hurt and find Jamie's mustache rather amusing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

Thanks, I have taken a few writing classes, and while it focused more on writing, I can't say they ever steered us away from "unreputable" sites. I can do more research if you'd like, but that's just what google brought me first. The general consensus of googles hits was that this was debunked many times. Not only for a poor testing practice, but because science does not label plants as having the 5 senses.

I won't just throw all that knowledge away from the collective facts of science just because this guy thought his plants were happy and sad, or understood threats of violence towards them. Sounds all very supernatural. I even found those links from a supernatural discussion forum. Even they were having a hard time believing it. They were discussing whether or not the carbon dioxide levels were different from talking to your plants, and that vibrations from your sound waves stimulated the plants more than your thoughts or moods. But that was just a non-scientific, supernatural forum.

They are with me though on one thing, what are the vegetarians supposed to eat now??

---

So what you don't believe in dark matter of ghost either? those are said to be supernatural? or do you have some sad pity excuse for those too? point being people have different beliefs of things that have not been scientifically proven....opinions are like :cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r:s everybody has one...and you know what? I will believe what I want, if you make fun and become a smart ass that just shows the person you are...People have different religions and believe in different things so if one person believes something the other doesn't, does that make them wrong? do they deserve to be ridiculed because they were brought up in a different religion then you? Get your nose out of the air, and your head out of your ass...it's pointless to fight with someone who won't listen to other peoples opinions, obviously you were brought up with the point that you are right and everyone else is wrong...I will continue to believe what I want when I want regardless of what you think...because I believe in the right of free speech and being able to be who I want to be....sorry I'm not a conformist

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by KiwisHeaven

So what you don't believe in dark matter of ghost either? those are said to be supernatural? or do you have some sad pity excuse for those too? point being people have different beliefs of things that have not been scientifically proven....opinions are like :cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r:s everybody has one...and you know what? I will believe what I want, if you make fun and become a smart ass that just shows the person you are...People have different religions and believe in different things so if one person believes something the other doesn't, does that make them wrong? do they deserve to be ridiculed because they were brought up in a different religion then you?
Get your nose out of the air, and your head out of your ass...it's pointless to fight with someone who won't listen to other peoples opinions, obviously you were brought up with the point that you are right and everyone else is wrong...I will continue to believe what I want when I want regardless of what you think...because I believe in the right of free speech and being able to be who I want to be....sorry I'm not a conformist

---

Your taking this waaaay to hard. You brought something interesting to talk about, and said that it was true because Myth Busters proved it. I did some research, and most places (even myth busters) say it's bogus. But this is what makes America so great! We can think whatever we like.

Attacking me and calling me stuck up and an a**hole is a bit extreme. I regret that you took this so to heart.
It's a debate. Everyone argues their points with evidence to support those views. I brought my small bit of evidence regarding plants feeling our moods.
As of yet, there is no hard proof for the original debate, all we can do is debate about it! :rolleyes:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

Your taking this waaaay to hard. You brought something interesting to talk about, and said that it was true because Myth Busters proved it. I did some research, and most places (even myth busters) say it's bogus. But this is what makes America so great! We can think whatever we like.

Attacking me and calling me stuck up and an a**hole is a bit extreme. I regret that you took this so to heart.
It's a debate. Everyone argues their points with evidence to support those views. I brought my small bit of evidence regarding plants feeling our moods.
As of yet, there is no hard proof for the original debate, all we can do is debate about it! :rolleyes:

---

um learn to read please...I just called you ignorant I did not call you an a**hole...I just said that OPINIONS are like a**holes EVERYONE has one...so drop it

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by KiwisHeaven

um learn to read please...I just called you ignorant I did not call you an a**hole...I just said that OPINIONS are like a**holes EVERYONE has one...so drop it

---

I'm sorry, you told me to get my head out of my a**. :rolleyes:

Your reaction to this debate thread is over the top, and it's sad to see you can't approach this from a different view. When someone rebuttal's your statement, don't take it as an attack against you. It's just a rebuttal. :cool:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

I'm sorry, you told me to get my head out of my a**. :rolleyes:

Your reaction to this debate thread is over the top, and it's sad to see you can't approach this from a different view. When someone rebuttal's your statement, don't take it as an attack against you. It's just a rebuttal. :cool:

---

Yeah I don't really see it as a rebuttal when it seems to poke fun...:weirdface

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by KiwisHeaven

um learn to read please...I just called you ignorant I did not call you an a**hole...I just said that OPINIONS are like a**holes EVERYONE has one...so drop it

---

Kiwi - take it down a notch or two. It's an internet FORUM - which also has rules about family friendly content that you agreed to when you signed up. There are children here reading your tantrum, so watch your language.

Don't let an internet forum get you so upset. If it makes you feel more connected to your pets to feel they are connected to you emotionally - more power to you. Don't expect that everyone will agree with you - and really, what does it matter if they do or don't? Seriously?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by KiwisHeaven

Well some of us do keep out snakes as pets...and some of us are a little more open minded then others...
for example...did you see the mythbusters where they tried to find out if plants knew the moods of people?
If not then I think you should find it and watch it...maybe it will open your eyes a little!

---

Trust me, I am one of the "pet" people. We are about to get our third snake, who I believe to be my "snakie soulmate," if one can have such a connection. I just don't buy the tail wagging. I posted somewhere else about snakes knowing our moods through scent of hormones, blood pressure, respiration rate, heart rate, etc. Many disagreed with me. But I still appreciate the devil's advocate, even in myself.

BTW, I think this thread took a dive on the mud slinging. WE are capable of love, so let's show more of it to each other.

Edit: P.S. I voted "yes" and am darn proud of it!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rabernet

Kiwi - take it down a notch or two. It's an internet FORUM - which also has rules about family friendly content that you agreed to when you signed up. There are children here reading your tantrum, so watch your language.

Don't let an internet forum get you so upset. If it makes you feel more connected to your pets to feel they are connected to you emotionally - more power to you. Don't expect that everyone will agree with you - and really, what does it matter if they do or don't? Seriously?

---

yeah well I don't really think I'm the only one to blame here either...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by KiwisHeaven

yeah well I don't really think I'm the only one to blame here either...

---

Kiwi - no one was making fun of you. You were the only one that was cursing people out and reacting very negatively. The others were simply having a very civil debate with you. I'm sorry that you feel otherwise.

I thought that the whole benefit of talking to your plants, was that you were showering them with carbon dioxide as you exhaled?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ginevive

I thought that the whole benefit of talking to your plants, was that you were showering them with carbon dioxide as you exhaled?

---

I had heard that as well, which is why I was skeptical of this guy's "research" in the first place. Also, I had read somewhere, that tomatos will ripen faster when they have a red object in the plant with them, reflecting the red light. Ever hear of that?

BUT, I know I love him!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Debbienflorida

BUT, I know I love him!

---

Great point! Early on in this debate, after I had told my husband about it, he looked over at me holding Mrs. Snake and said, "I don't know if a snake can love you; but I know you can certainly love a snake!"

I know that my ball loves me, because she tells me!! lol:banana::banana:

I agree with you 110%!!! I am a "pet" person. All my animals/reptiles have gotten along, they all love me, & I know they know I love them!!! I also take care of my neighbors & friends pets too, which I know they love me as well!!! I voted yes too!!!!:banana:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MelissaFlipski

Trust me, I am one of the "pet" people. We are about to get our third snake, who I believe to be my "snakie soulmate," if one can have such a connection. I just don't buy the tail wagging. I posted somewhere else about snakes knowing our moods through scent of hormones, blood pressure, respiration rate, heart rate, etc. Many disagreed with me. But I still appreciate the devil's advocate, even in myself.

BTW, I think this thread took a dive on the mud slinging. WE are capable of love, so let's show more of it to each other.

Edit: P.S. I voted "yes" and am darn proud of it!

---

After I read the first few pages of this thread, I didn't feel the need to read any further. But since someone else continued the thread and not me, I decided to give my $.02.

"Love" is a term that is used very loosely, but what it means to me is: showing genuinely altruistic & unconditional affection and devotion, even above self-preservation. And I think deep down, it means something to that effect to all of us. Yet we throw the word around so frivolously. For example, I "love" pizza, but not in the same way I love my own mother.

Having said that, snakes (or any other herp, for that matter) are capable of emotion, much less love. It is true that many species appear to "enjoy" human interaction (i.e. rubbing, head scratching, etc), but this is not love. It's simply pleasurable to them, and some will learn to do things to receive that pleasurable interaction again.

"Well, what about female snakes guarding/defending their eggs/babies?" you may ask. Again, this is not love; it is called maternal instinct. In evolutionary terms, an animal's success is directly influenced by how much offspring it produces in its lifetime. So, as to propogate the species, parents have invest time and energy to produce offspring to be "successful." So, it's not a "I love my babies and I'll do anything for them" situation, but more of protecting an investment.

However, I feel that some snakes can become used to their primary caretaker. I've noticed on many occasions when I have my adult BP out and others are handling him...if I'm nearby, he seems to want to come back to me. Do I think this is love? No. But I do think that over the years, he has become familiar with my distinct scent and when he is out being handled, he feels more 'secure" being held by me than anyone else. However, if he's on the ground or on my bed, he'll proceed to explore until he finds an adequate dark place.