I dont think they necessarily feel emotions or display affection or love. But they are recognizing a mutual relationship. I have a female that is such a personality, like no other ball python Ive seen so far. Is this because I got her so young and have raised her myself? maybe. I open the tank she may be hiding 1/3 in her hot or cold hide. The first thing she thinks is, food undoubtedly. If there is food, there is no mistaking it for her, she will come and get it. If there is no food she quickly catches on and comes out of kill mode. Ive even went as far as opening the tank and offering my hand as if it were at rat when she was hungry, but she doesn't bite unless she smells them. I can tell she recognizes. Another thing I have tried doing is taking off the lid and standing to watch her and what she does. 90% of the time when I do this, she will raise her head and go into kill mode, realize no food and start to investigate in my direction, she will come out and look at me smell me. Is this affection or love? no. emotion? no. Its my snakes genuine curiosity of me(or she knows I serve food and is going to kindly wait), she doesnt fear me at all. I think they have more going on in the brain than we give them credit for.