can a python tell whos its owner is?

do you think that a python is able to realize who its owner is weather it be by sight or scent?

Is there an option for "maybe?"

I've discovered that sometimes, when I take my BP out and other people are holding him...if I'm close by, he'll seem to want to come back to me (via stretching away from them to me). The only thing I can come up with to explain this is that, over the years, he has become familiar with my body scent and associates that with security, ergo, he is more "secure" with me holding him rather than someone else.

I said yes, I'm not 100% sure, the only thing I can tell is that at least with the bp, when I hold him he stretches out, comfortable, relaxed....if my roomate grabs him or something he stays balled up and it takes him a minute or two to really stretch out or anyhting

they know your scent and associate it with safety,food, and warmth

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Originally Posted by pilot511

I said yes, I'm not 100% sure, the only thing I can tell is that at least with the bp, when I hold him he stretches out, comfortable, relaxed....if my roomate grabs him or something he stays balled up and it takes him a minute or two to really stretch out or anyhting

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+1 mine does that too. In my care, he loves venturing off and exploring. but with anyone else, he is very cautious

When I open their tubs up they climb right into my hands. When others put their hands in the tubs they go into their hides. I assume that to mean they "recognize" me.

Oh and I seem to be the only one who handles them that they like to poop on. So again, I suppose that means they recognize me. :rage:

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Originally Posted by bsd13

When I open their tubs up they climb right into my hands. When others put their hands in the tubs they go into their hides. I assume that to mean they "recognize" me.

Oh and I seem to be the only one who handles them that they like to poop on. So again, I suppose that means they recognize me. :rage:

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damn...my ball has not pooped on my yet...I guess he doesn't love me lol

Maybe comfort levels pay a part in this as well? Animals can usually tell if someone is stressed/uncomfortable. Maybe the snakes can sense that you are comfortable with them so they feel safe, but when put in new, nervous, hands they can sense the uncertainty of the person handling them.

This could only apply to tame snakes though, I'm not trying to imply that all animals feel good about you just because you're comfortable with them!

It seems that after handling them trust is established between the snake and the owner. Kingsley will let me pet his head or move him around without a problem: something he seems a little more apprehensive of when other people try.

my 2 cents

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Originally Posted by jeffjr464

they know your scent and associate it with safety,food, and warmth

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Yes, that is how I feel too!!! George knows who I am, cause I also talk to him too!! LOL

I second that. Furio seems VERY comfortable with me and sometime won't let me put him back ie his crawling back up my arm and holding on. He's like that sometimes with my girlfriend too but we use the same hand sanitizer and I think he associates us both with scent and we're both very comfortable handling him. He is VERY nervous when we hand him to anyone else so I voted yes due to the fact that I think Furio knows my scent and he'll let me handle him anytime no fuss.

I guess it's all how one would define "know". It's not like a dog or cat that knows it's owner, I think it's at a much more basic level like somebody said above.

I agree. I dont think that they know who their owner is, but they can tell the difference between different people, and therefore act differently when around other people. I have also noticed that when someone is holding Tuleo, my ball ive had since i was seven, and im right there, he tends to try and stretch over to me.

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Yes, that is how I feel too!!! George knows who I am, cause I also talk to him too!! LOL

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I'm glad I'm not the only one that talks to their snake!

My BP Slyder, that I've only had for about 5 weeks, already seems to "know" me. He comes right to my hand, and if one of my friends are holding him he gravitates toward me.

Yes absolutely he my Bps seem a lot more relaxed with me then with other members of the fsmily. And that can be seen even better with my boa

To me, there is no doubt that they recognize the difference in people... and react differently to them. Not sure if it's scent, gender, feeding association, or body heat related... or a combo of some or even caused by other factors... but I think it's defentlly true.

Just my Coin on the matter! :)

My female ball definetely is more comfortable with me she lets me do whatever with her. I can pet her head, grab her head, and tail and she doest even flinch. But when other people are just holding her she is very jittery.

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Originally Posted by chetman7

+1 mine does that too. In my care, he loves venturing off and exploring. but with anyone else, he is very cautious

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I agree. I got mine from my friend because he was moving down to the states and wasn't allowed to bring it over the boarder... so I knew him very well before I took him, and even then, my friend didn't take very good care of him. He was sort of :rolleye2: he didnt keep him warm or moist and never took him out. Only when I went over was when he got to go out.

Ya, mine does that too...

I say yes. Just don't smell like rat or they will strike at you! lol;)

They sure do. And it's not just people they learn to recognize. I read a wonderful story about the "snake lady" from Maine. She spent her whole life working with snakes. One time when a snake didn't eat it's mouse she just left it in the enclosure to see what would happen. The snake never tried to eat the mouse. They became friends. And each time she placed another mouse in the tank the snake would eat the new mouse right away.

I hope that is true, I want them to know who I am! :)

i dont think they recognize you only by scent although it may play some role in it. i think they get used to the way you handle and act around them. if youre the one who handles the snake the majority of the time then they get used to how you do it and feel more comfortable when you handle them because its familiar to them. friends get nervous or hold them awkwardly and make movements that are too fast or unfamiliar and the snake is not used to it. not to mention all the new unfamiliar scents created by the other people in the room that are not usually there when youre holding the bp the majority of the time alone.

obviously i cant prove this but thats kind of what i noticed.

I started putting alcohol sap gel before I handle.
When I run out and I handle them will they think I'm something else?:(

My Bob is very calm with me, but strikes at others. So I'm sure he can tell.

I agree. I can hold Slinky no problem, but when my BF tries to, Slinky tries his hardest not to let him. He refuses to 'explore' anywhere near him. He has no problem crawling all over me lol.

Oh yes, I absolutely think so. I even have a brand new one that is fine with me mostly (but is pissy if I hold him and wraps around my hand), but actually strikes at my guy if he tries to touch him... he hasn't gone for me yet. I am less jumpy, though, and very confident when I handle him even though he has had snakes for years, he is a jumpy person. I don't think the snake recognizes me- I just got him- but I think maybe my scent is familiar to him compared to a past handler, or he prefers women- or who knows! He's not telling...

I've started wahing my hands before I handle Hercules so if my friends want to hold him, they can wash there hands so he won't feel so uncomfertable....wait....how do you spell that....un-comf-ter-ble...unconfertible...forget it...:weirdface

uncomfortable

Thanx:oops:

I think they can as well as other herps. All of mine listed here that are currently in my care ( other than the females on order which are still a couple weeks out from being ready ) know when it's me. When I get home from work they greet me the same way my dog does. When my room mate gets home my dog greets her but my herps don't. With me they stick their heads and then come to the doors of thier cages to say hi and be taken out. Even the spotted does which I have "trained" to my schedule ( 23:00 to 07:00 ) will come out during our day time wanting to be played with. Which they are known for being nocturnally active and then when I go to bed Spot goes back in the cave. I know he/she probably and most likely comes out when I am sleeping though. King my 4.5 to 5 foot pastel male bci wants nothing to do with my room mate but he will lay in bed ( for as long as I let him which is upto 3 hrs or when ever I am done unwinding from work ) with his body streched out opposite to how I am laying and just rest his head on my chest or stomach depending on what he feels like. Damien, Monte, Jessi, Lestat and Marius all seem to respond in similar ways as King does but they are a little more exploritive then he is at times. None of them like going back "home". Damien will not let anybody but me take him out of his cage. Both him and Monte I took in about 3.5 yrs ago when my cousin moved out of state and as I said if my room mate or one of my friends tries to take him out him has no problem striking at them (none of these people are strangers to him they all had contact with him at my cousins house). That being said I think they not only know and can tell thier owner but are not as mindless as a majority of people like to think.

My Collection:
1.1 Normal BP (Monte, Damien)
0.0.1 Spotted Python (Spot)
2.1 BCI (King, Jessi, Lestat) 0.2 more ordered
1.0 BCC (Surinam Red Tail) (Marius) looking for the right 0.1 for him
1.1 Savannah Monitor ( Grumpy, Snow)
0.1 Northern Australian Blue Tongue Skink (Rosey )

I voted no. I have a spider that will never hesitate to bite me. I took to my fav LPS to breed to one of their females and the pet shop owner handled him without so much as a strike...

I handle the spider pretty often, granted I work two jobs, and have a family (but take care of my pets!) but was just amazed to see him calm down like that in another persons hands. Maybe its because I am expecting to be bit that I am bitten? Who knows.

The only reason I voted no is because I don't think they really know who the owner is, I think its more along the lines of if the snake is ok with the person (maybe they smell me expecting the bite). But I have been bitten as well from a calmer snake!?!? Sorry to base this off bites, but I mean, thats like their love right?!?

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Originally Posted by Morph Addict

I voted no. I have a spider that will never hesitate to bite me. I took to my fav LPS to breed to one of their females and the pet shop owner handled him without so much as a strike...

I handle the spider pretty often, granted I work two jobs, and have a family (but take care of my pets!) but was just amazed to see him calm down like that in another persons hands. Maybe its because I am expecting to be bit that I am bitten? Who knows.

The only reason I voted no is because I don't think they really know who the owner is, I think its more along the lines of if the snake is ok with the person (maybe they smell me expecting the bite). But I have been bitten as well from a calmer snake!?!? Sorry to base this off bites, but I mean, thats like their love right?!?

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mayb he knows ur the owner and doesn't like you...lol
DOesn't make sense for him to bite u and not another person

If u said he bites u and everybody else. then u can say no they don't recognize the owner

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Originally Posted by giaach

It seems that after handling them trust is established between the snake and the owner. Kingsley will let me pet his head or move him around without a problem: something he seems a little more apprehensive of when other people try.

my 2 cents

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Same here... When my husband holds him he seems ball up more often and shies away from his hand... when my 3 yr old son holds him he tries to slither away real fast... with me hes adventurous but calm, lets me touch his head, face, etc with no problems whatsoever... I wish we could know what exactly goes on in their little heads :P

Yes! He's the one holding the rat!

Hiyo, here's my point of view. Do I think snakes know the difference between people? Yes. Do I think they favor people over another? Yes, but it has an addendum.

Like others have said many times over... the scent, movements, pressure, heat, vibrations, and finally how the person feels while handling them all affect how the snake feels about being held by each person.

Someone who is inexperienced may not hold the snake the same way as someone who has done it many times and instinctively holds the snake properly.

Someone who is nervous about holding the snake will affect the snake; just as someone who is confident and unafraid will often make the snake feel more secure.

Practiced hands are quick, reassuring, steady, and act almost instinctively. They don't hesitate, and are moving the snake in a way to hold him best.

Someone who is unfamiliar with how snakes move may find themselves trying to hold the animal back or stopping them from moving, rather than supporting the snake properly while they squirm and slither in such a way that the snake never leaves.

Again, I think it all takes practice.

This goes for all animals. I spend a lot of time with the rats. I can hold them differently and more effectively than Chris does. I have more practice. I would love to see him try to give them a bath without injuring them!

practice, practice, and practice. ;)

I would say yes- all of my snakes act really shy when other people are holding them-especially when it's someone they've never 'met' before, where as with m they do what they want and are never scared. lol

I voted yes.

When I handle him he always holds his head up and immediately wants to start looking around, but when others have handled him he stays balled up. When he does finally uncurl he seems to want to come back to me right away, and will only be relaxed if I'm near.

There is also the fact that I can sometimes 'read' him. What I mean is, I'll knock on his hide to let him know I'm there, but when I pick it up I can sort of just 'tell' if he is in the mood to be picked up or not. If not, then I just leave him alone. Whether that has anything to do with this poll or not I'll let you decide.

So, again, my vote is a firm 'yes.'

That snakes have a small ability to "learn" has been researched and theorically proven (darn, can't remember the link).

Have any of you had escapes? If you have, have you noticed that your snake keeps going back to that weak area to try again? This is evidence that they retain some memory.

Therefore, my vote goes to..."Yes." It's possible that they do know who we are but not in the context of "ownership."

btw: if your bp is always biting you..it's possible that, "He's just not that into you.":rofl:

i think it is rather sad when people try to put their emotional wants onto an animal that in reality could care less if they were no longer around, as long as that animals needs are met.

this is emotional need that humans have, is the same reason why they drag their snakes out in public, to the ocean, to walmart, etc etc.

i wish people would put the animals actual needs first, then their own emotional needs second.

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Originally Posted by redpython

i think it is rather sad when people try to put their emotional wants onto an animal that in reality could care less if they were no longer around, as long as that animals needs are met.

this is emotional need that humans have, is the same reason why they drag their snakes out in public, to the ocean, to walmart, etc etc.

i wish people would put the animals actual needs first, then their own emotional needs second.

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So, what did you vote?

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Originally Posted by redpython

i think it is rather sad when people try to put their emotional wants onto an animal that in reality could care less if they were no longer around, as long as that animals needs are met.

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The question was simply, "can a python tell who its owner is?" I think you read more into it than was there. What you've responded with would seem to belong on the "does my snake love me" poll. :P

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Originally Posted by redpython

this is emotional need that humans have, is the same reason why they drag their snakes out in public, to the ocean, to walmart, etc etc.

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I don't see how the need to show-off an animal like a prized possession, or for shock-value, equates with believing it recognizes its owner/primary care-giver.

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Originally Posted by redpython

i wish people would put the animals actual needs first, then their own emotional needs second.

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What you seem to be describing is more along the lines of a need for external validation and recognition through the medium of owning an uncommon animal. In this instance, the snake. I believe you are describing a personality flaw that is belied by a much deeper issue within the individual.

There are people who deeply care for their animals, and perhaps, also believe that their animals reciprocate those feelings on some level. I don't think that this belief system indicates an inherent lack of devotion to the needs of their pet. In contrast, I'd suggest that it often indicates a higher level of overall dedication.

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Originally Posted by NightLad

The question was simply, "can a python tell who its owner is?" I think you read more into it than was there. What you've responded with would seem to belong on the "does my snake love me" poll. :P



I don't see how the need to show-off an animal like a prized possession, or for shock-value, equates with believing it recognizes its owner/primary care-giver.



What you seem to be describing is more along the lines of a need for external validation and recognition through the medium of owning an uncommon animal. In this instance, the snake. I believe you are describing a personality flaw that is belied by a much deeper issue within the individual.

There are people who deeply care for their animals, and perhaps, also believe that their animals reciprocate those feelings on some level. I don't think that this belief system indicates an inherent lack of devotion to the needs of their pet. In contrast, I'd suggest that it often indicates a higher level of overall dedication.

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Here Here!

I picked yes, but much like a lot of others, I'm not 100% sure... alls I know is that one of my BP's ( male) is very calm when I hold him and he just lays there but when anybody else holds him he is all fussy and climbing everywhere like he wants down nomatter how calm/gentle the other person is with him...:confused:but again I'm not sure if I really should have picked yes since my other 2 Bp's don't do that... I wish there was a "maybe"

I think they do
I know when i take mine out they are instantly roaming around
I can pet their heads they don't even flinch but when someone else trys they go back into a ball
my older male ( Monty) if I'm holding him and try to pass him over to someone he wraps himself around my arm with a death grip but if someone has him he is stretching some trying everything to get back to me

my blood on the other hand well if someone puts their hand in the tank within seconds of her tongue coming out ever muscle is tensed up and she makes a hissing sound and if I do it she relaxes ever muscle shes relaxes every muscle in my arms puts her head on my hands for me to rub her head with my thumb

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Originally Posted by NightLad

The question was simply, "can a python tell who its owner is?" I think you read more into it than was there. What you've responded with would seem to belong on the "does my snake love me" poll. :P

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With the high number of people saying their snakey recognizes them and only wants to be held by them, and start to attribute that to something more than it is... I would say this thread is verging on the same line as the "does my snake love me".

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There are people who deeply care for their animals, and perhaps, also believe that their animals reciprocate those feelings on some level. I don't think that this belief system indicates an inherent lack of devotion to the needs of their pet. In contrast, I'd suggest that it often indicates a higher level of overall dedication.

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I find that most, if not all people that anthropomorphize on the "returning of feelings" are the same ones that buy their snakes a friend, or hold constantly or let the animal roam around because the snake wants to "play".

I too find it sad when we humans have to push our emotions on ANY animal we keep. Dogs, cats, fish, rats and snakes... it never fails. There will always be that person that really believes their animal loves them unconditionally.

That's a load of crock.

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

With the high number of people saying their snakey recognizes them and only wants to be held by them, and start to attribute that to something more than it is... I would say this thread is verging on the same line as the "does my snake love me".

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I agree it is close and the line can be blurred. I suppose it largely depends on how the individual reads the question.

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

I find that most, if not all people that anthropomorphize on the "returning of feelings" are the same ones that buy their snakes a friend, or hold constantly or let the animal roam around because the snake wants to "play".

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Would that not also depend on the extent of the feelings the person believes their animal is capable of returning? If a person truly believes that their animal can feel the full range of human emotions, than I can see your point.

However, if the person simply holds a great deal of respect for the animal, than I feel that they would more likely to want the best stress-free living conditions on the animals terms. That includes not leaping to humanize the animals every response and action.

I agree that ‘humanizing’ can be detrimental to the animal when taken to extremes by otherwise well-meaning people. Look at pictures of dogs dressed up like babies and pushed around in baby strollers. You can't tell me that isn't a form of abuse! :P

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

I too find it sad when we humans have to push our emotions on ANY animal we keep. Dogs, cats, fish, rats and snakes... it never fails. There will always be that person that really believes their animal loves them unconditionally.
That's a load of crock.

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As I mentioned on the "does my animal love me" thread, I don't know what level of emotions my snake is capable of feeling. I don't even know if its range of emotions can be equated to a humans, or if they are on such a different level that the titles we've constructed to describe our own would even apply to theirs. However, I'm not willing to completely dismiss an animal’s capacity to feel... something. There have been far too many cases of animals going above and beyond anything we'd normally consider being 'in their nature' for the welfare of their owners. I chose to believe (and it is a personal belief) that there might be something more and we presently understand.

Yet while I hold that belief, I will never dress Salzedo up in a little costume…. although I do reserve the right to speak to him in a baby-voice and to sing the 'Its Mice Day!" song prior to feeding! :D

i voted no.

how many people sit around and cuddle their snakes, kiss them, caress them and talk to them? LOTS!

It is crazy...and no wonder we see on the nightly news, "Burmese python attacks owner..." and all it takes is one bite from that snake that knows you oh so well.

People do not understand the nature of the beast, they want the beast to be what their perception of how the beast should act, not how it is in reality. That is where the line is blurred. And this is a HUGE lack of respect towards the animal.

Bottom line, does your snake know you? I say no, but who can honestly say, it is all speculation, but i garuntee you, if you died tomorrow, and as long as your snake was taken care of properly for the rest of its life, it would not give a second though about you or care that you were gone.

and YES i do have bad grammar and create crazy long sentences.

your right a snake does not love but I do think it can recognize its owner from others only because it is use to the smell of the the one that handles them the most they stick out their tongues to smell and when doing that they smell familar its merely a sence of security if snakes did not remember smells they would mistaking everything as a mouse when they were hungry.
I can't ever recall my snake trying to take a bite out of the water fountain because there was movement of water therefore I think they smell us as something that has been around a lot and has not eaten them so we are not a threat haha

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Originally Posted by redpython

i voted no.

how many people sit around and cuddle their snakes, kiss them, caress them and talk to them? LOTS!

It is crazy...and no wonder we see on the nightly news, "Burmese python attacks owner..." and all it takes is one bite from that snake that knows you oh so well.

People do not understand the nature of the beast, they want the beast to be what their perception of how the beast should act, not how it is in reality. That is where the line is blurred. And this is a HUGE lack of respect towards the animal.

Bottom line, does your snake know you? I say no, but who can honestly say, it is all speculation, but i garuntee you, if you died tomorrow, and as long as your snake was taken care of properly for the rest of its life, it would not give a second though about you or care that you were gone.

and YES i do have bad grammar and create crazy long sentences.

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You said that you say no to 'does your snake know you' but you continue with with 'Does your snake love you' Once again it is slowly switching to 'does your snake love you.'
In my opinion, there are 3 kinds of humanly love. Marriage, children love; Family, parent love; and pet, happy love. Marriage children love, now don't go staring on me, but I think is an emotion alot of animals feel, it's the need for continuity. Now I'm going to get married, I'm not saying marriage is a bad thing, I just think it's a word humans created of separating humans from animals, and making humans look superior. Family, parent love is is deep gratitude for the family and friends of yourself. I compare these two love feelings with fowl, more along the lines of geese, because they stay with the same partner, year after year, and protect their children just like any other animal, but they stay together and work together for the greater good of the children, and, like humans, the children rely on that. Now pet, happy love is a more warm cozy feeling of reliance and most pet owners expect pets to replicate that same love, dogs have it, cats have it, but some animals just aren't capable of more than 1 love/instinct, because of their small brain size. I.E Snakes.

Once again I have led off onto 'does my snake love me', and if this post offends any one please let me know immediately so I can remove it as to avoid another offending situation.:)