None of us, despite what some of you may think, will ever know definitively whether or not snakes feel any sort of emotion.
Sometimes, I do wonder if they can tell the difference between the scent of each human, which may help them gauge the threat level. I notice that my snake seems relaxed and comfortable when I hold him and he even seems to really like being held. But, when my boyfriend's sister holds him (she doesn't hold him often), he balls up first and when he comes out, he'll constantly crawl around looking for a place to hide. I've wondered if he recognizes my scent as a "trusted" scent and because he's not used to her, maybe it makes him skittish. I don't really know, but that would be cool to find out.
I don't really know and I don't really care if they feel emotions or not. I don't need that in an animal. If I wanted an animal that would show emotion, I'd get a dog or a cat. I don't need my snakes to love me to make me love them in return. As long as they're healthy, eating, pooping, and shedding properly, I'm happy. I consider that their way of showing me love.
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