Quote Originally Posted by mackynz View Post
It really doesn't suck for me. It allows me to take better care of my animals because when I see my animals freak out I don't think it's dancing. When I see them moving around quickly I see them looking for cover and not playing. When I see them breathing hard I don't think their excited, because I know they're stressed. Viewing your animals like people can absolutely be detrimental to the animal. So either you actually don't get it or you just don't care. You may love your animal, and that's all well and good. I love mine too but I realize that my snake simply doesn't have the capacity for it to be mutual and as such I try not to let it cloud my vision.
You are making the assumption that the OP is interpreting his snakes actions/body language incorrectly. Based on his descriptions, do you truly believe this is the case? Because I do not. I believe the OP has a good understanding of his snakes body language.

You are using hypothetical situations to describe your point, which I understand, but none of these situations reflect what the OP is describing.


None of us will ever truly know what is going on in a snakes brain. We can only make inferences based on observation. That being said, there is no problem with either of your methods of snake interaction. Neither are wrong nor right. As long as the animal is not being overly stressed with handling there are zero issues that can arise out of handling your snake a bit more or letting it slither in the grass. I don't handle my snakes THAT much, but I have in the past and I had zero issues with feeding.


OP: I understand the point of your post, but try not to become upset when people don't share the same viewpoint and opinion. None of us are any less loving of our animals because of the way we do (or don't) handle them. Honestly, I don't think the snakes really care either way! As long as they have a nice cozy hide and a rat every week they will be healthy and happy.

This kind of topic is a matter of opinion. Anyone who looks down on a fellow keeper for their handling practices (assuming husbandry is spot on) is making this discussion unproductive. We are all animal lovers here!