I have read a few threads on this forum about snakes not having emotions, not having preference for their owners or liking their owners and the general thought seems to be that they operate on instinct alone and prefer to rest, eat, drink, make babies, etc.

I am not sure I completely agree. I think they do get used to and feel secure with their owners and may even be entertained when handled, that handling is not a negative expereince for them *necessarily*. I think we do not know what they feel, think, or experience, but we can watch their behavior. My snake is relaxed with me but not with strangers. What do I conclude from that? Well, the snake apparently knows my scent and knows I am not a threat. Does that translate to "liking" me? I don't know. I don't know that we have to define things in those terms. But I am not averse to the idea that a reptile can prefer certain people or that a reptile can enjoy things. We don't know. I guess you could say I am an agnostic about reptile emotions. I can't prove they exist or that they don't and so I watch and observe and I am open to what I can learn.

So, on to other critters. Do you who strongly believe that reptiles cannot have preference for their humans, etc-- do you believe that dogs, cats, horses, etc have emotions?