My snake loves it.

[spottysnake]

Animals have evolved so that things that are good for them, they prefer, and are more likely to do. Things that are bad for them, they avoid. We people have evolved so that we like things that would help the species (sex, high-calorie foods, warmth, other people) so I think yes, you could say snakes "like" certain things, because they have evolved to: safe-feeling places to hide, warmth. and they have evolved to avoid/"dislike": grabby squeezy harassing hands, stressful new moving things around them. Just as all animals are born with inherent, evolved preferences, all animals are capable of responding to punishment and reinforcement. So if coming out means getting to eat, for example, they are going to "like" coming out and try to come out whenever they want food. The same chemicals and mental processes that make us like or dislike, they react to, as well.

re: loving US, they don't do it. Snakes have evolved no preference for long-term relationships with other snakes, or people. They mate and never chat again, they don't mate for life and they aren't social animals.

[JeffJ]

Your snake and I have a lot in common...I loves me some Vegas

My snakes like martinis and long walks on the beach.

oh yah well my snake likes hook..... wait thats to far lol

[blackcrystal22]

I think snakes have different attitudes, and emotions that are more preferences than emotions.
Snakes do not have human emotions.. but they can fear things and enjoy things naturally, which could be considered a lower intelligence emotion.

Some may say it's just instinct, but not all snakes do it the same.. and I thought instinct was usually the same amongst a species.

Just a thought.

[JeffJ]

Context, lets put emotion aside, what if the context was using it as a description of how much one enjoys something. not an emotion but rather an expression. so, "my snake loves his hide." "but he does not want to sleep with it." lol although i dont think the OP was referring to context.

[Kaorte]

So what about all those people who push their own emotions on their snake? Here is an example:
In another thread, a member is using a bird house as a hide box. He claims his snakes loves this box. Now, it is possible all his husbandry is fine, but he has a strange hide box. BP's like hiding, therefore they are going to spend time in a hide box. Does that mean that he BP loves that particular hide box?

[JeffJ]

So what about all those people who push their own emotions on their snake? Here is an example:
In another thread, a member is using a bird house as a hide box. He claims his snakes loves this box. Now, it is possible all his husbandry is fine, but he has a strange hide box. BP's like hiding, therefore they are going to spend time in a hide box. Does that mean that he BP loves that particular hide box?

no but his context would be correct if he was. i have a feeling the BP is hiding in there as its the only resource to. i was in that thread as well BUT if the BP chooses that over a more appropriate hide then his context would be correct, because he enjoys that more then any other, but and yes there is a second but here lol not like the 2 cheek kind though, im sure he is pushing his emotions upon the snake rather then using it in the other context form.

[spottysnake]

Some may say it's just instinct, but not all snakes do it the same.. And I thought instinct was usually the same amongst a species.

"Instinct" is not really the best explanation for ANY behavior.*All animals within a species (well, species that are not genetically identical) can have different behavior, even if it is a genetically pre-determined behavior. A crazy wolf could be born that likes to hang out around human towns to scavenge instead of hunt, even though hunting is considered an "instinct" for them.

Sure, not all snakes act the same, but all that proves is that they're not all genetically identical [assuming most snake behavior is pre-determined, and not learned]
Snake's general preferences are determined by evolution, but small variances in preferences of course exist (a few degrees in temp, slightly smaller or larger hide) and are explained by genetic diversity.

*re instinct: It can't REALLY be proven or defined, because behaviors are influenced by a mix between genetics and experience.

[zhang317]

if they can be stressed then they have the ability to like something as well. simple as that. to stress over something would be because you dislike it, which means..... bingo they have the ability to like something as well. some may call it love some may call it a preference but the fact of the matter is. they have the ability to like or dislike something. stress is a form of an emotion, so is anger and fear. they are very capable of them, we see it sime times, like when they ball up, or strike.

do they love? i dont know. but i cant say for sure they dont... ive never had a conversation with a BP but i do know love is an emotion and they are capable of them. so sure why not i guess its possible.

In order words:

Fundamental Fact; Snakes are stressed by certain things.

Snakes dislike certain things because those things cause them stress.

If snakes are able to dislike certain things, snakes must also be able to like certain things.

Love is a extreme degree of like; if a snake likes something to an extreme level, the snake loves that thing.

Conclusion: Snakes are able to love.

[Moriar]

well my male normal loves me as much as a snake can! and my female spider hates all life.... is possibly the devil manifest in snake flesh.

who knows! no one can really say how snakes feel. and if they do feel its most likely not anywhere near what we are capable of feeling.

[JeffJ]

well my male normal loves me as much as a snake can! and my female spider hates all life.... is possibly the devil manifest in snake flesh.

who knows! no one can really say how snakes feel. and if they do feel its most likely not anywhere near what we are capable of feeling.

your spider a bit nippy is she?