I think my snake loves me

[BallPythonsRule]

I don't care about facts I know my snake loves me and I love him...
He's like a little angel...

[mo1384]

i think a snake can get a sense of security from it's owner, which is kind of like love.

[Moriar]

all i know if i was set for my life with food and shelter and entertainment plus a soon to be stable of chicks to do the horizontal monster mash with at like 6 months old i would at least feign love!

Sotek is so spoiled!

[Argentra]

Well, snakes may not feel 'love' as we humans are accustomed to it, but they do feel security and comfort, fear and stress.

I also believe that they have a way of 'recognizing' their owner as opposed to others who handle them. This was shown to me first hand just yesterday when my dear BF decided he was ready to try holding Nagini for the first time. He's not afraid of snakes...just wary. She had been cruising around on my arm, flickering and such, but when I handed her over she froze...even though Ari is warmer than I am. It was interesting, and I had to reassure Ari that he hadn't freaked her out or anything, she just didn't know him.

All animals have feelings and emotions, they just aren't expressed or felt in the same way as humans.

[Skiploder]

Well, snakes may not feel 'love' as we humans are accustomed to it, but they do feel security and comfort, fear and stress.

I also believe that they have a way of 'recognizing' their owner as opposed to others who handle them. This was shown to me first hand just yesterday when my dear BF decided he was ready to try holding Nagini for the first time. He's not afraid of snakes...just wary. She had been cruising around on my arm, flickering and such, but when I handed her over she froze...even though Ari is warmer than I am. It was interesting, and I had to reassure Ari that he hadn't freaked her out or anything, she just didn't know him.

All animals have feelings and emotions, they just aren't expressed or felt in the same way as humans.

This is an excellent point.

Two weeks ago, one of the guys who works at the local herp store came by to see our collection.

Now mind you this dude does nothing but handle snakes day in and day out. He owns several boas and a couple of BP morphs. The point is that he is not nervous about snakes.

He wanted to see two snakes in particular, our blackheaded male and our tarahumara boa.

The blackhead (Bart) was his usual self, coming right out of the cage as soon as it was opened. I held him for about three minutes while the guy talked. Then I went to hand Bart over.

He wouldn't go. Again, this is a snake that my 6 year old son will hold in my presence. Bart has no issues going to him. With a new person, he gently refused to be handed over.

Second up was Diego, our Tarahumara boa. Again, Diego rested on my my shoulder for about five minutes. He eventually allowed me to hand him over to the new guy, but would not settle down for him - basically trying to get away.

Of course our snakes don't love us, but they do know who we are (in a sense). By taking good care of them, seeing to their needs and acclimating them to us, a basic type of trust is formed.

It's the same when we have our yearly run to the vet. When it comes time to look in the mouth, we have several who will only let me touch their heads.

It ain't love but I'll take it.

[Hardwikk]

Snakes don't actually love people like a dog or cat but they can know their owners and get used to him/her, so I answered yes.

[WingedWolfPsion]

Couldn't answer this poll, because neither of the selections was true.

Snakes don't experience the emotion of love, but they DO have emotions. Reptiles have an array of simple emotions. Love is a complex emotion, and it's found only in mammals and birds.
You only find love in species that pair-bond, and care for their offspring. That's the purpose it serves--to keep animals together.

[Lokua]

How is this a question?
anyways. I know my snakes would love me if they were able to make a connection between

me having money :: no rat
me having no money :: rat

then again, they would just probably hate money.

isnt this backwards? shouldnt it be

money = rat
no money = no rat?

[JLC]

isnt this backwards? shouldnt it be

money = rat
no money = no rat?

I think the point was the sacrifices we make to feed the snakes. If I have $5 in my pocket, then I don't have a rat. When I give away the $5 (to the pet store clerk) then I have a rat to give my snake.

[Lucero87]

I agree with the majority of people, i don't think my snakes love me...i think TOLERATE would be a better word.