Recognize Scent?

[WingedWolfPsion]

I certainly think they're capable of distinguishing one human from another by scent. Some individual snakes may go so far as to react differently to one person than they do to another, due to different experiences with them. There's no reason to think they aren't capable of that, it's basic survival skills. Ball pythons will assume humans are dangerous because they are hardwired to fear scents like ours--they learn that we are not.

[BigBlue56]

I certainly think they're capable of distinguishing one human from another by scent. Some individual snakes may go so far as to react differently to one person than they do to another, due to different experiences with them. There's no reason to think they aren't capable of that, it's basic survival skills. Ball pythons will assume humans are dangerous because they are hardwired to fear scents like ours--they learn that we are not.

Exactly what I think.

[loonunit]

My 2008 pied female is terrified of her vet in Tucson. She's never acted overly stressed at the vet's office, and she's always happy to let his techs handle her, but as soon as the vet picks her up, WHAM, she's in a ball. "I guess she still remembers having that medicine tubed into her stomach," he says.

This only partially extends to our vet in Mesa. She seems shyer around him than she is with the techs, but she doesn't immediately ball up.

[Charlie And Lucy]

I voted no to this, and then I started thinking about it. One of our BP's, Charlie, doesn't like to be around my fiance Matt. Charlie will do anything he can to get out of Matt's hands and come to me. Our other two, Superman and Lucy, are way more content with Matt than they are with me.

So if I could change my vote to yes, then I would.

[punkoldschool]

ive got to say yes whenever someone else is handling junior he will streach out in my direction well unless its my mum that has him she lets him hide up her sleave and keeps threatning to steal him

[BrianaK]

unless its my mum that has him she lets him hide up her sleave and keeps threatning to steal him

At least your mom will get near yours! haha. "Love ya mommy"

[mrmertz]

I voted "no". Unless there has been an in depth study on this as to a snake being able to distinguish differing human scents based on previous imprintings it's really all philosophical conjecture anyways at this point.

I have no clue as to what I just said...

[Charlie And Lucy]

I voted "no". Unless there has been an in depth study on this as to a snake being able to distinguish differing human scents based on previous imprintings it's really all philosophical conjecture anyways at this point.

I have no clue as to what I just said...

Love it. Made me giggle!

[AcePythons]

I personally think that all animals have feelings and moods. My dogs definitely have feelings and moods, my horses did, my guinea pigs did and even my betta fish did when I raised them. What's to say snakes don't? I think it's all a matter of spending enough time with an animal to notice even the slightest differences in behavior. I know that I have a snake that apparently hated her previous owner. He warned me she was pissy and struck and bit but when I got her she's been the sweetest little thing!

Just like we can sense people we don't like I'm sure animals can sense it too.

[mainbutter]

I believe many reptiles can recognize individuals.

Whether it is scent or sight or some other factors, my carpet python reacts differently to myself, my girlfriend, and my mom. This is not proof of recognizing individuals of course, but at least it shows that they can have instant reactions that differ based on who they encounter.

My girlfriend's panther chameleon DEFINITELY recognizes invidiuals. It is very easy to recognize panther chameleon body language, as they put on shows with both posture and coloration. Just stand in front of the cham cage, and if you are a stranger then Skittles will show stress-colors and put on posture displays. If it is my girlfriend, then Skittles couldn't care less. I'm sort of on a 50/50 basis with the chameleon of it feeling safe/unsafe with me nearby. Skittles also shows preference for certain individuals when it comes to hand feeding, in that he won't take food from anyone's hand except my gf's, only rarely taking food from me, and never taking food from complete strangers.

This isn't proof of anything, but I believe it is strong evidence that these reptiles aren't mindless, and are able to recognize individuals. It's been proven that reptiles can recognize parts of their habitat (hidey-holes, certain trees to call home, etc), it is no giant leap that the can recognize individual animals that make up part of their habitat as well.