Speaking of handling...

[Crazymonkee]

Ok not to sound completely dumb but I've noticed some questions about handling and it got me wondering...
I know they can sense fear, anxiety etc as can almost all animals... my question is...
My hands shake on a everyday basis, I haven't really had any issues holding Lex or getting her out of her enclosure but sometimes she doesn't seem as "confident" when I'm holding her, even though I am not scared of her could she interpret the shaking as fear?

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[Neal]

Ok not to sound completely dumb but I've noticed some questions about handling and it got me wondering...
I know they can sense fear, anxiety etc as can almost all animals... my question is...
My hands shake on a everyday basis, I haven't really had any issues holding Lex or getting her out of her enclosure but sometimes she doesn't seem as "confident" when I'm holding her, even though I am not scared of her could she interpret the shaking as fear?

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The animals sense fear/anxiety thing is honestly just a load of junk, so I wouldn't give any mind to it. The hand shaking should be a problem though I guess it could if she ever went into feeding mode. The shaking would resemble a rodent moving. You're fine, so don't let some non-sense they preach today bother you at all.

[sorraia]

Animals don't "sense" fear in that they have some psychic ability to read our minds and emotions. Instead, animals read our body language and respond to the stimuli we are giving them. They might be able to smell pheremones given off too. In the case of snakes, they can feel how solid our body is when we hold them. If we are nervous or scared, we might shake, make quick actions, or be more apt to drop the snake. All of these will make a snake feel less confident, less secure, and more nervous. In your case, the shaking could be a problem, but don't think about it too much, just keep handling her as best as you can, maybe she'll get used to it, if not she might just hold onto you tighter than she normally would. Snakes might also be able to detect other "fear indicators" we give off unconsciously, things like temperature change (our extremities, where the snake is being held, may become cooler than our core body) and increased heart rate. Depending on the snake, these could make some animals nervous.

[Annarose15]

The animals sense fear/anxiety thing is honestly just a load of junk, so I wouldn't give any mind to it. The hand shaking should be a problem though I guess it could if she ever went into feeding mode. The shaking would resemble a rodent moving. You're fine, so don't let some non-sense they preach today bother you at all.

How can you be so sure? The vast majority of communication isn't verbal, and animals are far more attuned to body language than most humans are.

OP - Your snake isn't a machine. She will have behavioral nuances from day to day, just like any other animal. She'll get used to your shaking, if she hasn't already. I wouldn't worry at all.

[Neal]

How can you be so sure? The vast majority of communication isn't verbal, and animals are far more attuned to body language than most humans are.

OP - Your snake isn't a machine. She will have behavioral nuances from day to day, just like any other animal. She'll get used to your shaking, if she hasn't already. I wouldn't worry at all.

I meant to say shouldn't be a problem, stupid keyboard. They may be able to sense otherthings, but not fear. I'm sorry I don't feed into that bull.

- - - Updated - - -

The animals sense fear/anxiety thing is honestly just a load of junk, so I wouldn't give any mind to it. The hand shaking should be a problem though I guess it could if she ever went into feeding mode. The shaking would resemble a rodent moving. You're fine, so don't let some non-sense they preach today bother you at all.

This was meant to be shouldn't be a problem, not should. Mistype.

[Expensive hobby]

I agree. I think snakes have an instinct to not become food, but it's an instinct, not a human emotion.

That's not to say go ahead and do whatever you want to your snakes because they don't feel fear or anxiety, you still need to treat them properly.

I do feel that they can stress however. If they are constantly avoiding becoming a prey item, it elevates their heart rates, makes them more alert, and I'm sure that had some negative side effects physiologically.

But as far as emotions, snakes don't have them. They don't feel love, anger, morality, or fear and loathing in Las Vegas.

Although depending on how much they are being shaken(if that is what's happening) they may feel as though they are going to fall, which long term might lead to some stress. But then again the branches shake when the wind blows so I dunno...


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[Crazymonkee]

It's slight shake... not like trembling or anything like that.

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[Crazymonkee]

How can you be so sure? The vast majority of communication isn't verbal, and animals are far more attuned to body language than most humans are.

OP - Your snake isn't a machine. She will have behavioral nuances from day to day, just like any other animal. She'll get used to your shaking, if she hasn't already. I wouldn't worry at all.

I think she already has for the most part! Its not a trembling or anything. I was just curious
Thanks

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[Neal]

It's slight shake... not like trembling or anything like that.

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You're fine. I'm sure snakes can sense stuff like rapid breathing, muscles tense and stuff but that doesn't mean they sense fear.

If I went and ran two miles, I'd have rapid breathing and tense muscles but that doesn't mean the snake is going to assume fear. It's going to sense the different signs, so that's why the theory of fear doesn't work.