I'm interested in your opinion about my bull snake

herplovr_bri89 · 11-19-12, 10:46 AM

I've been told that Leaya, my 4 year old 6 foot Bull Snake's behavior, is odd for her species. What do you think?

I got her directly from a breeder when she was 3 months old and she was never snippy and LOVED being held.
She bit ONCE when she was young but that was due to the fact that my mom was hand feeding and held the mouse around the middle (thawed). She got mom's finger, but the way Leaya reacted was incredible. She REFUSED to eat that mouse, I had to toss it, and she.nudged mom's finger like she was apologizing. Ever since, even with the tongs, she runs her nose up and down the rat, then takes it VERY cautiously. And in 4 years I've only been bitten once.
She has NEVER musked, she only snorts if I take her outside and too many of the neighborhood kids rush up to see her, and all try to pet her at once. She doesn't even HISS (and I'm serious she's only really hissed, sounding like a waterspout 1 time!) Let alone triangle her head or tail rattle.
Leaya also seems to be protective. She was challenging one of our cats for hissing at me, when my illness put me on the ground she made her nose bleed trying to get out. And for the first time, she struck at my mom for yelling at me.
Plus she DANCES only to Klove Radio, and when I sing along with it, she won't do.it with any other station. And she's been doing that all her life.

So on a scale of 1-10 how weird is she for a bull snake?

SpOoKy · 11-19-12, 10:55 AM

I think you are mistaking normal behavior for a snake with having emotions.

Quote:

She REFUSED to eat that mouse, I had to toss it, and she.nudged mom's finger like she was apologizing.

snakes don't apologize for natural reactions. She smelled like mouse, snake strikes and realized it wasn't a mouse.

Quote:

She was challenging one of our cats for hissing at me

Defensive behavior. Not for hissing at you, the snake felt threatened by the cat.

Quote:

And for the first time, she struck at my mom for yelling at me.

Not for yelling at you.

Snakes don't think the same way we do.

I actually have 2 bull snakes myself and would love to see some pictures

herplovr_bri89 · 11-19-12, 11:09 AM

I'll get some up as soon as I can, my phone's not all that great but she's about to shed and she always looks the best after she does.

So it was normal with the cat? She was around my neck and I was standing up, the cat was on the bed. She was still pretty small, about a foot long, maybe as wide as a nickel, i would think her instinct would be to flee? Not shot down my arm at the cat.

EmbraceCalamity · 11-19-12, 11:20 AM

Anthropomorphism is an easy thing to fall into, but snakes aren't people. You can't apply our feelings, thoughts, intentions, or reactions to a snake. It's misguided at best and dangerous at worst.

~Maggot

Lankyrob · 11-19-12, 11:40 AM

If you are seriousin what you are saying then you need to do a LOT of reading about snakes and their abilities to "feel".

Personally i smell a whiff of troll.... Anyone else?

herplovr_bri89 · 11-19-12, 12:06 PM

Actually i did over a YEARs worth of research before i got her, I'm a member of the Arizona Herpetological Association! The President of the AHA himself said he's never seen a snake like her! I have also rescued, nursed back, tamed, and rehomed 3 others all different types. Everyone who meet's Leaya says she doesn't behave anything like most snakes.

EmbraceCalamity · 11-19-12, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herplovr_bri89

Actually i did over a YEARs worth of research before i got her, I'm a member of the Arizona Herpetological Association! The President of the AHA himself said he's never seen a snake like her! I have also rescued, nursed back, tamed, and rehomed 3 others all different types. Everyone who meet's Leaya says she doesn't behave anything like most snakes.

So? Not all animals are the same. It's to be expected that some will be quirky. But unless you're saying that your particular snake has an extreme mutation in its brain that puts its cognitive abilities unrealistically beyond the rest of its species, then it's just a snake that behaves a little oddly. By saying it's different from all other snakes, therefore it feels emotions while all other snakes are physically and cognitively incapable is, frankly, ridiculous.

~Maggot

jarich · 11-19-12, 01:21 PM

Yikes, lighten up everyone.

Sounds like you have a very chill bull snake, herplovr. I have a feeling your snake was probably just hissing at the cat in protection of itself, but hey, what difference does it make either way. Glad you have been able to help some other reptiles in need and that you have a snake you really love.

Welcome to the forum!

Gungirl · 11-19-12, 03:01 PM

Keep the snake away from the cat.. that is not a smart move.

Snakes have no feelings.. everything you saw you put your emotions onto. Not a magical new snake with emotions.

herplovr_bri89 · 11-19-12, 08:04 PM

Thanks jarich

And everyone lets just agree to disagree on the feelings matter because everyone is entitled to their opinion.

Perhaps someone could help me out with this part

She has NEVER musked, she only snorts if I take her outside and too many of the neighborhood kids rush up to see her, and all try to pet her at once. She doesn't even HISS (and I'm serious she's only really hissed, sounding like a waterspout 1 time!) Let alone triangle her head or tail rattle.

From all the discussions I've had with other Bull owners, and all the books and websites I've read, they are usually a bit more aggressive. And really she doesn't hiss at the cats, she's in a 6 foot long wooden vivarium that sits on the floor. 4 feet high, and 2 feet wide, with a plexiglass sliding front door, custom built with a pit in the middle so she can dig all she wants. Too heavy and tall to put it on anything though. When she comes out the cats gather in front and she gets up on the plexiglass and sways back and forth. I'll have to get a picture up so u can see. Also, even though she's in blue phase right now, the viv has vents on the sides, i caught her last night with her head just resting up there, nose to nose with one of the cats! If i can get my phone to cooperate i'll post a pic

herplovr_bri89 · 11-19-12, 08:07 PM

And i would never leave her unsupervised anywhere, even if she was the ONLY animal in the home

SpOoKy · 11-19-12, 08:41 PM

Yep, she sounds just like one of mine. The other one has more of the "regular" bull characteristics. She is just a calmer snake, doesn't make her different from other calm snakes. Character traits are not specific to every one. I still disagree with her apolgizing to your mom or the other "human" things she does.

Lankyrob · 11-20-12, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herplovr_bri89

Thanks jarich

And everyone lets just agree to disagree on the feelings matter because everyone is entitled to their opinion.

Perhaps someone could help me out with this part

She has NEVER musked, she only snorts if I take her outside and too many of the neighborhood kids rush up to see her, and all try to pet her at once. She doesn't even HISS (and I'm serious she's only really hissed, sounding like a waterspout 1 time!) Let alone triangle her head or tail rattle.

From all the discussions I've had with other Bull owners, and all the books and websites I've read, they are usually a bit more aggressive. And really she doesn't hiss at the cats, she's in a 6 foot long wooden vivarium that sits on the floor. 4 feet high, and 2 feet wide, with a plexiglass sliding front door, custom built with a pit in the middle so she can dig all she wants. Too heavy and tall to put it on anything though. When she comes out the cats gather in front and she gets up on the plexiglass and sways back and forth. I'll have to get a picture up so u can see. Also, even though she's in blue phase right now, the viv has vents on the sides, i caught her last night with her head just resting up there, nose to nose with one of the cats! If i can get my phone to cooperate i'll post a pic

IT is not an opinion it is fact that they dont have the brain requirements to "feel" - they run on natural instinct only

Terranaut · 11-20-12, 10:12 AM

I personaly think your snake is escaped from NIMH and is leader of a snake clan tryin to take over the world!!!
But seriously your animal is not capable of the feelings or reactions you describe.
Its all coinsidence.
I did think this story has troll possibility. A "BULL" snake. Lol

**Aaron_S** · 11-20-12, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herplovr_bri89

...And everyone lets just agree to disagree on the feelings matter because everyone is entitled to their opinion....

So you come here looking for opinions and thoughts and when they don't side with your own, you just discredit everything that everyone is saying? Might as well leave the forum now as you certainly won't gain anything from us with that closed mind.

In regards to your snake, it's simply acting like a regular, docile snake. Nothing special.