Can a pet snake have a preference for male or female humans?

[MelissaFlipski]

Just a little night-time philosophizing...

I've seen and heard of dogs that are rescued which have a preference for a particular gender, or a fear of the opposite gender.

Do any of you think that would be possible with a snake that was rescued? Personally, I believe a snake can have a preference for a particular person, but am not sure about for a certain gender.

Vote and give me your thoughts. Thanks!

[GirDance]

They have a preference for the ones who are biologically predisposed to have the warmest blood temperature.... Although I don't care to actually try and locate the statistics on that one at the moment

[BulldogBalls]

I don't believe a reptile can have a gender preference, I think it is like with most animals an individual preference based on scent and energy. I do believe they can have preferences to certain people as they are capable of identifying and recognizing scents and people that are scared, nervous, angry give off clear signals and energy to animals.

Regarding dogs and gender preferences it is less gender related and more related to the handler, the situation and the person that the dog currently doesn't like. Handlers/owners project nervousness and uncertainty into their dogs, and an unsocialized dog with a handler that thinks their dog is going to react badly will react badly. I've handled and trained dogs where owners claimed they either only liked or hated women, and by the end of the first session the dog loved me or the male neighbors.

Gender preferences in animals are strictly due to the handler.

[Wolves-N-Dogs]

Nope they love the one that has the rat in their hand

[greenmonkey51]

Snakes don't care who takes care of them. As long as they have heat, food, and secure they're fine.

[FatBoy]

I definately think they can take to certain people. 80% of my ball pythons like my wife a lot more than they like me, and I always feed them! My partner has an anery boa that is absolutely fine until I'm in the room. If I'm there he tries to bite anyone that touches him, and I am not afraid of him. Had a normal female bite me last night and my wife goes in right afterwards and picks her up, holds her for 20-30 minutes, puts her back and I try and almost get bit again. They have to have preferences to people or gender. Or maybe I just smell lkie a rat!! LOL

[Ophiuchus]

I agree with Bulldog's statement. Its not about gender, more about other factors.

IMO, only birds and mammals can be predisposed to a specific gender.

[MelissaFlipski]

Great points, guys! I love 'em!

Girdance, that would be a great study. In my experience, men have higher body temperatures, on average.

BullDogBalls, great points. Thanks for shedding light on that. It makes complete sense - about projecting those feelings on the animal - self-fulfilling prophecy, in a way.

FatBoy, that is some hilarious antecdotal evidence!

[GirDance]

I definately think they can take to certain people. 80% of my ball pythons like my wife a lot more than they like me, and I always feed them! My partner has an anery boa that is absolutely fine until I'm in the room. If I'm there he tries to bite anyone that touches him, and I am not afraid of him. Had a normal female bite me last night and my wife goes in right afterwards and picks her up, holds her for 20-30 minutes, puts her back and I try and almost get bit again. They have to have preferences to people or gender. Or maybe I just smell lkie a rat!! LOL

Maybe you smell like food?

[Laooda]

I voted you never know... I'm very certain that they can have a person they recognize and "like" more than others... as for gender preference???