Quote Originally Posted by Argentra View Post
Well, snakes may not feel 'love' as we humans are accustomed to it, but they do feel security and comfort, fear and stress.

I also believe that they have a way of 'recognizing' their owner as opposed to others who handle them. This was shown to me first hand just yesterday when my dear BF decided he was ready to try holding Nagini for the first time. He's not afraid of snakes...just wary. She had been cruising around on my arm, flickering and such, but when I handed her over she froze...even though Ari is warmer than I am. It was interesting, and I had to reassure Ari that he hadn't freaked her out or anything, she just didn't know him.

All animals have feelings and emotions, they just aren't expressed or felt in the same way as humans.
This is an excellent point.

Two weeks ago, one of the guys who works at the local herp store came by to see our collection.

Now mind you this dude does nothing but handle snakes day in and day out. He owns several boas and a couple of BP morphs. The point is that he is not nervous about snakes.

He wanted to see two snakes in particular, our blackheaded male and our tarahumara boa.

The blackhead (Bart) was his usual self, coming right out of the cage as soon as it was opened. I held him for about three minutes while the guy talked. Then I went to hand Bart over.

He wouldn't go. Again, this is a snake that my 6 year old son will hold in my presence. Bart has no issues going to him. With a new person, he gently refused to be handed over.

Second up was Diego, our Tarahumara boa. Again, Diego rested on my my shoulder for about five minutes. He eventually allowed me to hand him over to the new guy, but would not settle down for him - basically trying to get away.

Of course our snakes don't love us, but they do know who we are (in a sense). By taking good care of them, seeing to their needs and acclimating them to us, a basic type of trust is formed.

It's the same when we have our yearly run to the vet. When it comes time to look in the mouth, we have several who will only let me touch their heads.

It ain't love but I'll take it.