Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've had my baby king for about a week now, and we are getting along well and it seems to be happy. But i have one big question that i've gotten varing answer to. My question is open to anyone who can give an opinion. Do you think its possible for a snake to show affection to its owner or love, and a desire or like of spending time with it's owner? Thank you

-Gabriela and Zebra

No, nothing, but MAYBE a dependency for food - but I doubt that also --- They operate off of pure instinct,
D

I think a snake can become very tolerant to being handled. I think they might even learn to enjoy the warmth of there handlers, but as far as affection. If they were hungry and thought they could swallow you they problem would try.
Jim Baptista

THANK YOU KINGAZ AND JIMBAT!!!!!!!
i know of course that a snake can not show affection, but im glad to know someone concurs with me that a snake can enjoy the warmth of the handler and thats enough for me, i really do love my snake. Thank you very much. Zebra and Gabriela

u kno i was thinkin the same thing but i thought they did by lookin at you n yawning? lol p.s thats what i see n e who. nice pic i have the same breed great looking snake!

well yeah thats the same as a dogg? my father is a cat person and he always said that if u own a dog and somehow passed on while at home, when the dog begins to get hungry they will eat there master for sustenence! well there kinda alike then? ahh mabey im just guessing n e who i think its all relative to the person!Mike.

So there is no type of bonding whatsoever? Snakes are just used to us? because i know that snakes are not like cats or dogs and won't show that type of affection, but i thogut that snakes get to know you on some kind of level, no? -Gabriela and Zebra

I have a gray banded kingsnake that seems to really enjoy being handled. When there is some activity near his tank he comes out to watch, and seems to be saying "pick me up!" BUT, I dont think this is really due to affection. He may like the body heat, the exercise, the smells of being out of the tank. I think snakes operate on a very primitive and instinctual level, and aren't wired for affection. It doesn't mean we can't love our snakes!

yeah i agree best post on the sub, but every creature that has a heart can love in there own way we just dont take notice? we cannot u nderstand it on a snakes level just put yourself in a snakes skin for a moment...well just wishful thinking!Mike.

Not me. I'm pretty sure that if our snakes are capable of an emotion that complex then they probably hate us. At best they tolerate our presence. This is just an opinion. Snakes are not social creatures and so they don't have a "bonding" instinct like you would see in a more social animal.
-----
Martin Whalin
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Quotes from guys named Carl:

"Science stops at the frontier of logic. Nature does not, she thrives on ground as yet untrodden by theory."
-Carl Jung

"It is foolish to let singleness of purpose deprive one of the joy and delectation of the many wonderful sights and sounds incidental to the quest."
-Carl Kauffeld

true i agree but at the same moment disagree? so your saying you dont think a snake can change his or her behavior? what about when your gone away? u dont think that they miss u? u dont feel that there happy to see u ? ahh mabey your right? im just wishful thinking.Mike.

Absofrigganlutely, (again just my opinion) but i have been caring for my kings now for going on two month for my desert phase, a month for my hypo brooks, and i feel that when a snake looks at his or her master and yawn's? i believe thats one way of showing affection? like saying hey look at me im yawning? they say snakes r secretive? so what would prompt a snake to just yawn like that right in front of u? its like they even get your attention before the yawn, ahhh just my ideal dream n e one who dissagrees i welcome the disscussion? P.s careing for kingsnakes is fun!

Mike,
Hehe just as you think i agree with all that you've said, since i don tknow much about snakes, ive only had mine for a bout 2 weeks now, i keep thinking mine looks at me through tthe glass and climbs up cause she wants to come out with me( wishful thinking as well), but anyway i do think that the snake aquires some kind of fmailiarity with its handler, maybe not total affection but at least some kind of attachment, dont you think? Thank you, Zebra turned a little read when she read your compliment. She saysthank you -Zebra and Gabriela