Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I read somewhere that when you are scared, your body releases some kind of feramones (sp?) and dogs can smell it. If a dog can smell it, I'd think a snake could, but do they process that information in their heads? In other words, do they know when we are scared?

i think that when you are scared it makes the blood run faster, the body temp goes up,and you might sweat more rusulting in appearing to the snake as a warmer object to them. you might release a phermone? i dont know? smelling fear? probably not but if you are scared you are nervous and jerky in your movements. that might make the snake strike. you are warmer and jerking around? what do you think? just a thought on this.
i have gone in calm as you can be and deliberate in my actions with the snake and got nailed hard. who knows? i dont?
my 2 cents.
james c.
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I have worked with dogs/cats for 19 years. I do not think they "smell fear" I believe them to be opportunists, who can recognized very minute behaviors that allow them to react. I think this is the case in almost all encounters. I also beleive that pheromones are released in encounters, whether interrpreted good or bad, that can be used to condtion ANY animal to respond in a certain matter. Natural scents also trigger breeding responses, handing the husband the credit card, etc. IMO, it is how we react to ALL the circumstances that determine the response. I beleive this to be viable in all situations.
Linda

P.S. Although I have no proof, I'm certain it can be attained if one has the time.
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"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance- that principle is contempt prior to investigation." Herbert Spencer

thank you linda. this is what i was getting at in a round about way.
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IF YOU HAVE IT SHOW IT. IF YOU OWN IT FLAUNT IT!!

.
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"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance- that principle is contempt prior to investigation." Herbert Spencer

Two questions snakes ask:

Can I eat this?
Can this eat me?

Whether or not the object is afraid of the snake wouldn't have much bearing on the situation. Although I guess it might make a difference whether or not the snake decides to respond to a human's 'threat' by fleeing or striking.
I'd imagine between the heat sense and their sense of smell they can tell what laundry detergent you use, what you had for breakfast, and if you petted the neighbor's dog yesterday.
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"The serpent crams itself with animal life that is often warm and vibrant, to prolong an existence in which we detect no joy and no emotion. It reveals the depth to which evolution can sink when it takes the downward path and strips animals to the irreducible minimum able to perpetuate a predatory life in its naked horror."
Alexander Skutch