The dreaded anthropomorphism topic....

[Blitzjg]

I've got no issue whatsoever with things like putting hats or sweaters on snakes. Not my thing, but it causes the animal no harm, so for those who enjoy it have fun, I'll probably even "like" your pics if you share them./

Wouldn't stress be considered harm? I'm not saying that costuming snakes is inherently stressful to them, but I can imagine it often would be.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Anthropomorphism is GOOD when people realize, that like us, animals can feel pain, discomfort, hunger, fear, and in many cases, joy or comfort. Caring about an animals well being and taking responsibility for that is good as is understanding that how we treat creatures that rely on is (and even children and adult friends and family) matters.

I don't think I would call it anthropomorphism, but compassion and empathy which do not require one to attribute human characteristics/feelings to an animals to be expressed

[Craiga 01453]

Wouldn't stress be considered harm? I'm not saying that costuming snakes is inherently stressful to them, but I can imagine it often would be.

I wouldn't think it causes any stress, especially for such docile species like BPs. But you raise a good point. But in my experience I can't imagine my BPs (or any of my snakes actually) displaying any signs of stress if I were dress them up (again, not my cup of tea).
But with no hands on experience, I may be wrong. Just an educated guess based on my experience.

[Bogertophis]

Wouldn't stress be considered harm? I'm not saying that costuming snakes is inherently stressful to them, but I can imagine it often would be.

I think it would depend greatly on the snakes as individuals & how accustomed they are to handling. And as Craig said, most BPs in particular are quite laid back, and while I agree that stress is harmful, it's also very hard to measure in snakes. If you're going to avoid doing anything that stresses them, I assume you'd not buy them at all, just leave them to be wild, which is stress of a very different kind (surviving temperature extremes, going without food or water for long periods of time, & being preyed upon).

Personally I have no desire to dress any of my pets, other than my 2 older dogs that have short hair & happily wear coats when we take walks in cold weather, but we've had photos shared here by someone who takes very adorable pics with her posed BPs...I see no problem with that. The stress is mostly on the photographer, she said it takes a lot of effort to get it right (& make it look effortless), especially when the snakes keep toppling the props. It's basically a self-punishing pursuit...

One good way to quickly assess stress in snakes is whether or not they feed regularly & easily: I've kept many snakes for many years, and I'm not a "hands-off" type. I also assume that stress negatively affects their immune system. Of course, you can only confirm that after your snakes live long healthy lives as most of mine have & still do. In my opinion, it comes down to the snake owner having empathy (it takes practice to read snake's body language but it can be done) so as to keep and handle snakes in ways that they feel safe & never feel they have to bite to defend themselves. Keeping snakes for me is a study in patience, careful observations & gentle touch, and as such, it is very rewarding. I've cared for a number of wild caught and rescued snakes that eat well for me too...that's another clue that one is doing things the "right" way. As I often tell the new keepers, "eating is job one".

[spazhime]

My opinion is that there is safe anthropomorphism and unsafe anthropomorphism.
Example of safe: My snake has a stocking on Christmas and gets a species appropriate gift, such as substrate or a climbing opportunity!
Unsafe: My snake ‘enjoys’ being out with me all day and out of the enclosure, he’s only in there at night/I take my snake to walmart with me so he doesn't get lonely

Its okay to treat pets like family, as long as you take their care, safety, and species into account.
That being said, I believe putting little hats and costumes on snakes can be beneficial not to the individual snake per-say, but to snakes as pets/a hobby as a whole. The more people that see snakes as 'cute' and 'friendly', the more likely in the future the laws on keeping snakes will remain as they are, or get better for us. A quick photo-shoot with a small hat that can go viral, for a few minutes of very mild to no-stress, is for sure worth it. I do the little hats for my snakes, and have been told by 100+ people both in person and online that "I used to be afraid of snakes but your little snakes in hats helped me overcome my fear/phobia"


^^ This for example.

[Craiga 01453]

My opinion is that there is safe anthropomorphism and unsafe anthropomorphism.
Example of safe: My snake has a stocking on Christmas and gets a species appropriate gift, such as substrate or a climbing opportunity!
Unsafe: My snake ‘enjoys’ being out with me all day and out of the enclosure, he’s only in there at night/I take my snake to walmart with me so he doesn't get lonely

Its okay to treat pets like family, as long as you take their care, safety, and species into account.

Very well said.