Quote:
Originally Posted by eminart
The following was posted by you long before the one guy called his snake stupid, or anyone said anything disparaging, other than saying snakes don't love.
So, I'm not buying your revisionist history of the attitude you've had toward those of us who don't believe snakes love.
I don't know how old you are, or how much science you know. I'm sure you're a nice person, and I do believe you have the animals' best interests at heart. I just think you're very misguided in what those interests actually are. I believe you are thinking VERY much from a human perspective, which is the worst way to understand an animal. Our human brains are very unique in nature. I suggest you read the book, "Last Ape Standing" by Chip Walter. Sure, some of the more social animals exhibit behaviors that we might call "love" and certainly "affection", but even they aren't THINKING the same way we are, usually. But, to try to apply these types of emotions to a reptile that is not social, often eats its young, doesn't hunt together, doesn't benefit from tight-knit communities, doesn't have much of a brain, and would eat you if you were small enough, is an astronomical stretch of reality.
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Thank you for selecting these quotes from my earlier postings. They do, indeed, sum up my point, but I respect your opinion that they say something else. It is your choice how you interpret my statements, although I would much prefer if they were taken for what they are, instead of being speculated upon.
I started this thread because I was curious to find out other people's opinions. Quite a few members thought it was laughable, and replied as such. They are entitled to do so, I respect that. Some others quoted old and/or outdated scientific evidence. I respect that too. But a few were unfairly rude, not only towards me, the original poster, but also towards the entire pet snake idea. I do not respect that.
I am not trying to impose my point of view. But I will not shut up when the comments posted in this thread turn nasty. This forum was created with the pets' well-being in mind, or so I believe. Yet, it seems that some people keep waking up on the wrong side of the bed, and use the forum and its members as a punching bag. I am deeply disappointed.
Oh, please note that these comments are not directed at you personally. I just summarized what happened so far, and what prompted my comments. But I don't have to convince you, do I? You are welcome to interpret my posts in every way you wish.
And yes, I do read a lot, I am highly educated, and I always strive to learn as much as I possible can about my pets, their behavior (both in the wild and in captivity) and their traits. The topic of 'snake affection' is very divided, and backed by old scientific findings that are lately being disputed. The 'limbic system' theory has become outdated, and more scientists now look at the snake brain from different angles. But that's irrelevant to me. I have six amazing snakes, they all display a primitive closeness that I like to call 'affection', and I believe there's nothing wrong with perceiving it as such.
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