Hm. Thinking.

Snake:
Out on a rock in africa. Giant bird swoops down, but misses. Snake flees. Later, snake on rock again. A branch from a tree falls nearby, looking very much like a bird. Snake flees. (Or freezes-- whatever the snake's instinct is in that situation.

Kitten:
Laying out on the deck. Strange dog enters yard, leaps onto the deck, grabs at kitten, narrowly missing. Kitten flees. Later, on deck again. A small child runs up on the deck and approaches kitten, looking much like the earler dog. Kitten hisses and flees.

Is there emotion in either creature? Does the snake fear? Kitten? Are you saying that because the snake doesn't have adrenalin coursing through he isn't feeling anything?