Snakes ARE affectionate - Page 6

eminart · 04-23-15, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

I was once told by a falconer that the way to "train them" is solely through their stomach. Otherwise they'll never "perform."

100% correct.

**Aaron_S** · 04-23-15, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eminart

100% correct.

Which brings up the point maybe they are smarter than we give them credit for.

They'd be all like "If we hold out on doing anything these suckers will keep feeding us and we make out like kings!"

RAD House · 04-23-15, 08:59 PM

Aaron I think you could easily say that for any animal species, including Homo sapiens.

**millertime89** · 04-23-15, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MesoCorney

Eminart corvids are generally accepted as the most intelligent bird group, but raptors are no dunces. Harris's Hawks are known to hunt in coordinated groups. Egyptian vultures use twigs to rake up wool for their nests. I am curious what you base your allocation of intelligence off of?
Ugghh another one of those comments. If you don't find this interesting why comment at all. I feel as passionate as the participants seem to be, it has been kept fairly civil. Why discourage friendly discourse?

I think the "They're no geniuses" thing is more of a reflection on their behavior sometimes. Even intelligent animals can be pretty derpy and do dumb things from time to time. For example, my friend's doberman, a very intelligent dog that is trained in mountain S&R, can be a total dunce from time to time. She's ran into walls because she misjudged a corner on several occasions, but she knows where the red laser dot comes from and just stares at the person holding it now...

sophiedufort · 04-23-15, 08:03 PM

I must say that I am puzzled that most members seem to define 'love' based on human emotion. I never stated in this thread that I believe my snakes' affection to be comparable to that of humans. I simply said that they display affection in their own way, different from other species, and that many people fail to recognize those signs of affection simply because it is not similar to what we perceive to be affectionate behavior.
Snakes are not faithful creatures, I agree. They will not stick around if placed in a dangerous situation, they will not come back if left outdoors, they do not bond for life and so on. But who said that these are prerequisites to 'affection'?
I believe that most members will agree with me that snakes can grow to trust their owner and to differentiate between their handler and strangers. Trusting means to rely upon or place confidence in someone or something. Achieving such reliance is bound to be the result of repeated interaction. Snakes can easily reject that interaction by becoming aggressive. But when they choose not to, it means that they feel comfortable. Comfortable, not tolerant. Comfortable = contented and undisturbed, a state that, in snakes in particular, is logically associated with their acceptance of their handler. Acceptance = approval. Approval is manifested via 'licking', 'hugging', 'cuddling' and so on. All these manifestations are the result of feelings, emotions, the complexity of which, or the lack thereof, is irrelevant. I don't agree that a snake cannot be said to display affection just because that display is too primitive and not comparable to our own definition of love.

KyleKennedy · 04-23-15, 08:24 PM

Snakes don't love you, they tolerate you. They are not affectionate by nature. Just because they seem docile, doesn't mean they care about you.

Nuxodom · 04-23-15, 08:25 PM

I've had snakes for 40 years, been here one day :-)

I've had snakes that showed fear, content, rage, happiness and - yes - affection. They certainly have emotions. I see affection daily from them, if you know what you are looking for. It's not a "human affection" or "love," they have their own ways.

I've seen countless studies on this; some say they are not capable of "affection," others say they most certainly are. Take your pick, but I go with what I have experienced in four decades of snake handling. It's not disputable what I *have* seen and *do* see.

It's quite clear - at least in my snakes - what they like and dislike. This is emotion. They are comfortable with some people and not so much with others. One enjoys the hollow mountain while another prefers the half-log. Another wants to soak in the water while the others don't. Preferences. Emotions.

All my snakes have had unique personalities...no two are exactly the same. This includes showing "affection." Some may say they seek heat, hence it seems like affection. While this is true, I've certainly handled snakes in hot weather, where heat was not exactly desired. Yet, they still acted the same as they did in a cold house.

Some of my snakes seek me out on my bed nearly every time, to fall asleep by me, even when my wife is on the bed too or there are plenty of other things to cozy up to.

I think it's all down to opinion, and arguing the point is moot. I'm quite sure my snakes show affection along with other emotions; that's my opinion.

**Aaron_S** · 04-23-15, 08:49 PM

End of the day we're all on the same side. We all love and enjoy our snakes. We show this in our own ways. As long as the snakes are well kept and cared for who cares how it's done or what someone thinks a snake can or cannot feel?

**lady_bug87** · 04-23-15, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

End of the day we're all on the same side. We all love and enjoy our snakes. We show this in our own ways. As long as the snakes are well kept and cared for who cares how it's done or what someone thinks a snake can or cannot feel?

.... who ARE you?

**Aaron_S** · 04-23-15, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lady_bug87

.... who ARE you?

I'd like to say Batman but that's not true.

**lady_bug87** · 04-23-15, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

I'd like to say Batman but that's not true.

You wish you were Batman.

**millertime89** · 04-23-15, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lady_bug87

You wish you were Batman.

I wish I was batman. Imagine the reptile room I could have in a house like that! (and the garage...)

**Aaron_S** · 04-23-15, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lady_bug87

You wish you were Batman.

You wish I was!

No, no you don't.

MDT · 04-23-15, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lady_bug87

.... who ARE you?

LOLOLOLOLOL!!! Group hug at Aaron's house!

RAD House · 04-23-15, 08:57 PM

Sorry Eminart those last four sentences were not directed at you. I think it is staying on track in the sense that humans, specifically the general public, do not understand animals nearly as well as we think we do. Could it just be that you do not understand their way of thinking because you evolved in a different manner to be successful in different facets of life? I have to admit that I do not see much advantage in attacking an animal so much larger than itself, but captivity is not the most fertile ground for stimulating an animals intelligence.