After I read the first few pages of this thread, I didn't feel the need to read any further. But since someone else continued the thread and not me, I decided to give my $.02.

"Love" is a term that is used very loosely, but what it means to me is: showing genuinely altruistic & unconditional affection and devotion, even above self-preservation. And I think deep down, it means something to that effect to all of us. Yet we throw the word around so frivolously. For example, I "love" pizza, but not in the same way I love my own mother.

Having said that, snakes (or any other herp, for that matter) are capable of emotion, much less love. It is true that many species appear to "enjoy" human interaction (i.e. rubbing, head scratching, etc), but this is not love. It's simply pleasurable to them, and some will learn to do things to receive that pleasurable interaction again.

"Well, what about female snakes guarding/defending their eggs/babies?" you may ask. Again, this is not love; it is called maternal instinct. In evolutionary terms, an animal's success is directly influenced by how much offspring it produces in its lifetime. So, as to propogate the species, parents have invest time and energy to produce offspring to be "successful." So, it's not a "I love my babies and I'll do anything for them" situation, but more of protecting an investment.

However, I feel that some snakes can become used to their primary caretaker. I've noticed on many occasions when I have my adult BP out and others are handling him...if I'm nearby, he seems to want to come back to me. Do I think this is love? No. But I do think that over the years, he has become familiar with my distinct scent and when he is out being handled, he feels more 'secure" being held by me than anyone else. However, if he's on the ground or on my bed, he'll proceed to explore until he finds an adequate dark place.