can a python tell whos its owner is?

[NightLad]

I always try to think of snakes as very simple minded creatures, working with some very old, steadfast and hardwired brains. Their first need is to survive. Whether that be through hiding, fleeing, fighting, mating... they all have the very basic need to survive.

For the most part I do agree with much of what you've said. The only thing that I take minor issue with is how you word your statements as solid and undeniable fact. If they were either, than this poll (or debate in general across the herp world) would not exist. I believe that a lot of this discussion boils down to personal observation and the conclusions we've reached. Other people, however, have also observed their animals and reached different conclusions. While I may not agree with all of them, I can't tell them they are 'wrong' without being able to provide some empirical evidence beyond my own beliefs and observations.

The poll question was simply, "can a python tell who its owner is." Your answers would seem to indicate a 'yes', although contain a distinct disclaimer against the possibility of love or long-term memory. That's fine. As I said, for the most part I do agree.

Yet I can't shake the thought that perhaps some people really do have snakes that are 'smarter' (able to retain long term memory) than others. My parents have 2 dogs (same breed), and it may not be nice to say, but it is clear that one of them is vastly more intelligent than the other. If we were to judge all dogs by the 'dumb' one, it would do a disservice to the species. Hopefully one day the research will be done to fully probe the learning/memory capabilities of these animals.

I do respect that you are helping shed some 'reality' on much of snake-ownership. I think it is often too easy to romanticize a hobby that we love. This can often lead to unpleasant situations, mostly for the snake.