Squeezing doesn't mean affection?

[redshepherd]

Oddly the anthropomorphism doesn't bother me much any more - it makes them feel closer and more attuned to the animal which possibly means better care standards.

I still disagree with most of their assumptions but if they get the snake to the right place I'm happy to ignore the journey.

That's good if it goes that way!

The other possibility is it makes them believe their snakes are like dogs, and they bring the snake everywhere with them until it gets sick and dies. Their prideful belief of how happy and loved their animal obviously feels makes them ignore good husbandry practice for the species, because their snake is "happy, loves me, and perfectly fine". Yay

[KingWheatley]

Oddly the anthropomorphism doesn't bother me much any more - it makes them feel closer and more attuned to the animal which possibly means better care standards.

I still disagree with most of their assumptions but if they get the snake to the right place I'm happy to ignore the journey.

I think some levels of it is ok. We are empathetic creatures, after all, so it's natural for us to do so.

However putting yourself/the snake in danger or making them believe they are in danger... that is a level of mistaken anthropomorphism that isn't ok.



This guy, for example. If the article it was attached to is to be believed, he died because of one of his snakes. I don't doubt it.


Herp Derp

[CALM Pythons]

Uhhh yep, thats creepy...
Now Put The Lotion In The Basket


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[zina10]

That's good if it goes that way!

The other possibility is it makes them believe their snakes are like dogs, and they bring the snake everywhere with them until it gets sick and dies. Their prideful belief of how happy and loved their animal obviously feels makes them ignore good husbandry practice for the species, because their snake is "happy, loves me, and perfectly fine". Yay

Very good point. I have also seen someone tell others (newbies incl.) to not bother with all those hides. Because if you want the snake to be "social", you shouldn't have more then one hide. So you actually get to see it, too. You should give it toys, like little kitten balls, for "enrichment". And that things such as that will turn out a social, loving snake.

Hey, I talk to my snakes. Knowing full well they can't "hear" me. LOL. I love them and my heart melts when they look at me as if they understand what I'm saying. I totally agree it is actually a GREAT thing to be so excited and "into" reptile ownership. If one wants to see more into it, so be it. Let them have fun with it.

But when it gets to the point that basic husbandry falls to the wayside, or the the snake falls short on the expectations and ends up discarded, its not so cute anymore.

I suppose it is human nature, though. We expect to be loved, if we are nurturing and caring. And the draw to "domesticate" the wild beast, to turn it loyal and loving, is a big one.

I feel its vital to teach people coming into the hobby to love selflessly. To love the species for what it is, for their beauty, for their awesomeness (heat sensors, etc), and for their ability to learn to trust that we don't present a threat. It should be enough, as it is a privilege in itself.

But that's just my opinion

[FlynnTheBP]

That thread you linked was actually a bit scary. OP obviously was not 100 percent there, in my opinion. They had a dream that the snake was a male? What? I understand spirituality, but how the heck would they know the snake's gender based on a dream? On top of that, the odd language and "humping" phrase made me think that this might be a minor who doesn't really understand snakes and their (lack of) affection for people. I do believe that my BP enjoys being handled, unlike my garters, since he always comes up to me when I approach and tries to climb onto my hand when I take out his dirty water. Of course, this could be a natural response to my heat. Anyway, some anthropomorphism is natural for humans, and well within the range of safe. We try to identify with animals by attributing their characteristics with human ones. It's only when we, or the animals, are in danger, that we need to rethink things.

[redshepherd]

Very good point. I have also seen someone tell others (newbies incl.) to not bother with all those hides. Because if you want the snake to be "social", you shouldn't have more then one hide. So you actually get to see it, too. You should give it toys, like little kitten balls, for "enrichment". And that things such as that will turn out a social, loving snake.
--
I feel its vital to teach people coming into the hobby to love selflessly. To love the species for what it is, for their beauty, for their awesomeness (heat sensors, etc), and for their ability to learn to trust that we don't present a threat. It should be enough, as it is a privilege in itself.

But that's just my opinion

(Replying to the first part) Oh my god lol. I've seen things similar to that too. It's not one extreme but the other, and no extremes are good.

And I totally agree! If they are open to listening and following good husbandry, that is totally 100% great, and would end up a great keeper.

And then there are people like this, where they decide on their own to ignore basic ball python husbandry, thinking it is lessening the life of their highly intelligent, social, and loving animal (sarcasm)... Literally the extreme of anthropomorphizing a snake. Linking to this infamous post/story again for those interested http://kaijutegu.tumblr.com/post/139...ace-little-jor

Basically for the most part, I believe that anthropomorphizing a snake is more likely to be dangerous than not. And by that I mean those who truly, genuinely believe their ball python loves them and are social, loving animals lol. Not just pretending they love us and talking to them, which I'm sure we all do!

[PythonBabes]

I did lots of research before getting a snake, care-wise. It was only later that I found out that snakes couldn't actually love you, but I had no problem with it. Maybe its just me, but whenever I think of a 'loving and caring' pet, the first thing that pops up is...something furry, not at all a reptile. Despite that, I still love Karma soo much, I love talking to her, watching her explore and cooing at her adorable little tongue flickering, but knowing that she only tolerates me..ehh..it doesn't bother me much.

And although my dogs and alpacas all have their funny personalities and quirks, I might just have to say that Karma is a favorite

That being said, I think a lot of people put too much thought into their snake's actions, which can be harmful in some situations. I've actually heard someone say 'My snake hates me because he sleeps all day and only comes out when I'm not around, at night.'

[Sauzo]

I think some levels of it is ok. We are empathetic creatures, after all, so it's natural for us to do so.

However putting yourself/the snake in danger or making them believe they are in danger... that is a level of mistaken anthropomorphism that isn't ok.



This guy, for example. If the article it was attached to is to be believed, he died because of one of his snakes. I don't doubt it.


Herp Derp

I bet that cobra is a boy. See him screaming when another man kissed him. I do that a lot too.

[Sauzo]

I didn't read all the posts of that crazy person but if you are looking for love, a reptile is not it. They get to 'know' you but more in a way of 'that giant warm tree isn't going to eat me' or 'that giant tree drops rats and other tasty treats my direction every few weeks'. If you want love, buy a dog, cat, bird or a girlfriend. And if you need love so bad you are trying to project it onto a snake, then you need to find a 'lady of the night' but we'll keep this PG for the kids.

Also it's funny how its always women who are the freaky ones projecting this love onto animals. Us guys, throw em a rat and pat em on the head. kind of luck your buddy, throw him a beer(after you shake it a little for giggles) and hit him in the arm lol. And with this comment, I am waiting for burning flame from the ladies

[predatorkeeper87]

I bet that cobra is a boy. See him screaming when another man kissed him. I do that a lot too.

This only begs the question of why so many men are kissing you haha