Does your snake like it's chin scratched?

[SerpentineDream]

I have over 20 snakes, and most of them appear to only politely tolerate handling. I would say generally snakes don't care for being held but....

My Russian rat snakes give me pause. I can stick my hand into the enclosure and they willingly approach and climb right on. The male, particularly, resists being put back and will grip my wrist when I try to deposit him back into his enclosure. If those particular specimens don't enjoy being held, I don't know how to explain this behavior.

With those notable exceptions, I think my snakes could take or leave me. Mostly leave me. If it makes people happy to imagine that their snakes love them and look forward to being held I guess there's no harm in that. Maybe they do have more going on upstairs than we understand. Mine are certainly curious about my activities, though realistically I suspect their interest is motivated by the possibility of feeding or making sure I'm not up to no good. But I don't believe they have the need--or in most cases the desire--for companionship or social interaction.