Snakes ARE affectionate

[Nuxodom]

btw, I've had hundreds (ok..well..over 150) of snakes since 1976....my "n" is greater than your "n"....[/QUOTE]

I've had snakes for 40 years, since 1975. Well over 300 snakes. I knew Bill Haast personally (you may have heard of the Miami Serpentarium where he supplied snake venom for medical use, and has been bitten by poisonous snakes nearly 200 times). How big is your "n"? :-)

Now, as far as the topic about snakes and affection (for everyone else).

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 too.

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.

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.