The yellow rat snake that may enjoy some human contact.

[rangers]

Originally Posted by smy_749

My personal opinion (and I will probably be scorned for it), is that people who buy snakes and want to handle them, are expecting a mutual relationship and love, etc. don't like when the animal 'bites the hand that feeds him' are looking for the characteristics of dogs and cats in their snakes because thats what they enjoy. Your snake is not a dog or a cat unfortunately. Many of us, like Rob, appreciate the true beauty, enjoy observing them from a distance without having to be touchy feely all the time. It is by no means neglect to not ever hold him, and holding all the time just stresses them out anyways usually. I recently contacted someone on craigslist about a biak green tree and she said " if you don't hold him daily and want to live him in a box then I won't sell to you. This snake needs to be loved, I worked 6 months to train him to be held" .... ridiculous

You make a good point here, the snake can't tell the difference between your hand and a mouse, fish, etc, except by smell. Now, I do enjoy holding my water snake sometimes, thought when it bites me, it doesn't bother me, the same with musking and pooping. Its part of owning a snake, or any other animal for that matter. I never expected love from my snake, but I'm sure someone has. If you go out and catch a snake, why should you be mad becuase it bit you, musked on you? Wouldn't you do the same?

[smy_749]

Originally Posted by rangers

You make a good point here, the snake can't tell the difference between your hand and a mouse, fish, etc, except by smell. Now, I do enjoy holding my water snake sometimes, thought when it bites me, it doesn't bother me, the same with musking and pooping. Its part of owning a snake, or any other animal for that matter. I never expected love from my snake, but I'm sure someone has. If you go out and catch a snake, why should you be mad becuase it bit you, musked on you? Wouldn't you do the same?

Yea, one time someone grabbed me in a headlock, so I peed all over him. He didn't try that again. He also can't tell the difference between your warm skin, and his warm heat pad. Also massaging a snake and having him fall asleep doesn't show that he enjoys it necessarily....maybe that particular movement just makes him fall asleep, who knows.