I think my snake loves me

[Ashleedm]

I think my snakes care about me

[snakeyes]

ok. it's a scientific fact that snakes are not intelligent enough to have emotions. some of them are more aware and intelligent (in a purely instinctual way) than others.
they are instinctual creatures that, when raised in captivity, they learn to recognize their owners as their primary source of food and shelter, hence they grow accustomed to them.
if a snake does something out of the norm (like spending prolonged periods of time being handled by their owners without overstressing themselves, or darting their tongue to the surface of your cheek when you put your face close enough to their head) simple-minded people are ready and willing to believe that they are smarter than science indicates they are and would readily attribute these occurences to them displaying their emotions.
the bottom line is that it all comes down to HOW COMFORTABLE the animal is with the owner. It depends on the snakes temperament, but lost of snakes become extremely comfortable with their owners and will let them do with them pretty much whatever they want.
some of us (i'm not included) would to believe our snakes "love" all that we do for them (feed them, clean up their poop, not strangling them for taggin us lol) but they do not. they actually couldn't care less. however, they do grow more comfortable with us as a result of our care and attention.
With snakes, basically you reap what you sow. If you are a good keeper, you will receive the satisfaction of seeing the animal become easier to handle and more comfortable in your presence.

everybody is entitled to their own opinions. if you want to mistake your snakes comfortability (i that a word? lol) around you for "love", then go right ahead.

[astral_dream_god]

I think my snake loves me,and i love her,and if plants can "feel",wich are more primitive than snakes then how come snakes can't?

[Jay_Bunny]

Plants don't have emotions...period! Snakes are instinctual animals but if you want to believe they love you, then more power to you I guess. I know that my snakes don't love me, but I love them. I think that is all that matters.

[snakeyes]

Plants don't have emotions...period! Snakes are instinctual animals but if you want to believe they love you, then more power to you I guess. I know that my snakes don't love me, but I love them. I think that is all that matters.

i couldn't have put it better myself.

[astral_dream_god]

PlaNts respond to human emotions,it is proven,and a plant who you talk nice will always grow better than a plant who you talk nasty to will not grow as fastor as good.and if someone or something is capabil of feeling love and hate than they can give back love or hate,an either way i love my snake,and if she doesen't love me,i love her for the both of us:p

[Arsinoe]

Just because one lives on instinct doesn't mean they don't feel anything. Every animal lives by instinct, even humans can when they don't pollute themselves with everything else made to kill that in themselves.

Right now I have this silly boy on my shoulders rubbing me in the face like kitty cat. Something tells me he might like me. I have worked to teach him not to be head shy. I can literally hold his head top and bottom and not have him fuss. Trust is a feeling too. If one can trust they certainly can love.

To act like because you are viewed as a source of food, that is the only reason an animal is attracted to you. You can say then that your cats and dogs are just sucking up to you and stays around to be fed also. I personally believe if you treat any animal on an equal basis you will get something that cares for you.

I think because snakes are so different that people automatically think that they can't feel. They also say they can't hear cause they don't have ears. I think they do. Just because he doesn't have classic ears, doesn't mean that something else doesn't function the same. After all in the wild they would need all senses to survive. Besides think about this if you had to live crawling around the dust and dirt that if you had ear openings that just how dirty and plugged up they would get.

Remember this.........When you limit yourself as to think other species don't have feelings, that is when you dehumanize yourself and can legitimize abusing and killing things for no reason.

[Jay_Bunny]

No, just because I don't believe snakes can feel emotion as we do, does not mean I dehumanize myself. I do not stand for animal abuse in any way shape or form. Just because a snake can not feel emotions does not mean they do not deserve respect and proper care. It just means that when I talk baby talk to my snakes and tell them out much I love them, I do not expect them to come slithering out of their tubs to give me a kiss on the nose.

When my cat comes over to cuddle in my arms like a baby, and is showing actual displays of affection (licking my chin, pawing at my hand for kitty skritches), I consider that emotion. (He thinks he's my human baby. He'd probably drink from a bottle if I let him). BUT, when my SNAKE comes out to be handled and flicks his tongue across my nose or cheek, I know that is not a display of affection, and it is a natural information gathering behavior. They use their tongues to smell. Instead of hearing, they sense vibrations. Snakes do not seek you out for attention. They are not a species that thrives on social situations. They are solitary creatures and prefer to be left alone. Can they learn to tolerate being handled, sure. Can they become more comfortable with you and not stress out as much, sure. But in my opinion, these are not reasons to think they have a preference for you or love you. They "cuddle" with you because you are a source of heat when you have them out at room temperature. They "kiss" your mouth/nose/cheek because that is a place that smells very different from the rest of your body.

Does this mean I care for my snakes any less? Absolutely not! I just don't expect anything in return when I love them. I make sure they are comfortable with a clean tub, plump rats, and clean water.

[Arsinoe]

What if your snake behaves in a way that indicates a 'want' or in this case a non want.........Example I had Alexander out for about 2 or 3 hours this morning. He started to be a butt head crawling all over the keyboard. I got the feeling he was getting tired and wanted to get a nap. So I took him to his home and he clearly wanted to stay out. But I made him go in and the first thing he did was go get a drink and he's napping now. This tells me he wanted to stay with me, even though he was tired and thirsty. Is this not an emotional want on his part? If he was just driven by self preservation, he shouldn't have balked at going in.

[Jay_Bunny]

A want to be in a place or not be in a place, does not indicate a display of emotion. I have a corn snake that always wants to stay out of his enclosure. I think it might be the act of placing him down into an enclosed space is frightening to him so he tries to stay on my hand. Does this means he has a preference to stay with me. No! This snake does not tolerate handling at all.

Snakes having a preference for where they are or where they want to go is usually, again, based on instinct. The need to be in a place that feels secure and warm. He was probably roaming all over the keyboard because he was stressed out.