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.