I am not contradicting myself. It has to do with how you are defining love. In this discussion people seem to be associating love with affection, which a snake cannot demonstrate. If we are speaking of love as simple trust that an object or lifeform will not cause oneself harm, then yes, snakes are capable of "love". When someone strikes up conversation about their snakes loving them because the snakes kiss them with their tongue flicking or "cuddle " around their necks this is not an emotional display of love. Perhaps trust they will not come to harm but certainly not an intended expression of affection that people term as love.