Snake Massage - they seem to like it!

[piedplus]

The connections between human and reptiles have always been misunderstood. The majority of humans...humanize species of all sorts, dogs, cats, hamsters, frogs, ext. Reptiles in general seem to "tolerate" handling over "enjoying" handling. There have been studies that show other findings, mostly in large lizards such as Monitors and such.

I believe it is more about us as humans finding ways to justify a species behavior for a human emotion.

Do I find anything wrong with it, NO, as long as the animals well-being is put before anything else. I would love to find or be a part of a additional studies to really examine the connection between us and reptiles. At this point I think that it stresses reptiles out more to be handled then to remain in their habitat uninterrupted.

As for massages, I am all for having a reptile contently letting me handle it in ways I would a dog or cat. I find it to be the best thing in the world!

I personally don't care for reptiles who do not tolerate handling, I NEED that interaction with them to justify my time and effort for caring for them.

This is an awesome thread, thanks for posting!

I agree that handling can be stressful for a reptile. That's why I'm so happy to find something they seem to like. I too need some interaction with my pets. Not so much as a dog or cat needs, but some. From the responses here, sounds like this is pretty normal behavior for many BP's. I'm going to continue working with it. Maybe I can get all four of my BP's to like it! It would be more fun than them constantly trying to crawl away from me.