We often think of snakes as dangerous, vicious creatures we see in the forest or woods. But we need to remember that they are also pets for many people.
These pets live in their homes and are loved by their families. These snakes are entirely reliant on their human owner for survival.
With that scenario in mind, do snakes have emotion? Do they care about their owners? Are snakes capable of showing affection to their owners?
Snakes And Their Owners
Unfortunately for their owners, the intellectual capacity of a snake isnt high enough to feel affection. This reptile species has no specific feelings towards anyone.
This lack of emotion is in regards to their owners as well as all other humans. However, even if they dont feel emotion towards their owner, they do feel something else.
That other feeling they have is knowing that they are around a non-threatening figure. You are their pet owner. This act allows them to understand your purpose.
Therefore, although it could still happen, the chances of your pet snake attacking you are less due to your constant presence.
Although your pet snake cant show affection towards you, it can display trust. A snake will trust you if you show up in a calm and nonthreatening manner.
Does My Pet Snake Know Me?
Snakes are unable to show affection to their owners and cannot differentiate between them.
Although they associate your scent with certain situations, they dont understand who you are.
Unlike a cat or a dog, they do not have the intellectual capability to recognize a particular person. They won’t recognize your ownership role, no matter how often they see you.
What a snake can respond to are things that make them happy. Snakes love their meals. The act of being fed brings them joy.
They associate the smell of your scent with the food you bring to them. Because the food gives the snake happiness, so does your smell.
However, that doesnt mean that if they were to smell your hand outside of mealtime, that they would be happy. This interaction will likely bring different reactions due to the lack of food involved.
Non-Threatening Feelings
In addition to feeling joy over meal times, snakes respond to warmth. A humans touch is typically warm, and a pet snake will react to that.
This ability and preference is also part of their sixth sense, specific to certain species of snakes. This sense affords them the ability to understand their environment without sight.
When you handle your pet snake, the light touches, gentle movements, and the heat from your skin alert the snake that you are not there to cause them harm.
As time goes on, a pet snake becomes conditioned to your non-threatening touch and associates it with comfort. Although this can change abruptly, it reduces an attack risk.
However, this emotion is not associated with warmth or touch. The snake will not distinguish between two people if they do the same thing.
The Senses Of A Snake
Most snakes have six senses compared to a human beings five. Although not all species have six, it is a common trait. These senses are:
- Sight
- Auditory
- Smell
- Taste
- Touch
- Warmth
Despite the fact that the senses may not be as strong due to intellectual limitations they are still very useful.
These senses afford snakes the ability to survive and protect themselves.
Sight
A snake possesses the sense of sight, but it can see very little. Snakes will often flicker their tongues because of this limitation.
They can feel the predator’s presence by this motion.
Auditory
Snakes can hear many sounds thanks to their sense of hearing. A snake can typically hear between 40 and 2,000 hertz.
A human voice is usually 1,000 hertz.
Smell
Even though a snake has a sense of smell, it doesnt have a nose.
This reptile smells through its tongue and you will often see it flicker.
They have a remarkable sense of smell, despite not having a formal nose. With ease, snakes can detect the scents of predators and their next meal.
Taste
As it pertains to taste, snakes dont have taste buds. However, they use their sense of smell to capture scent chemicals in the air, which allow them to taste.
This act is performed by a sensory organ located at the roof of the mouth called the Jacobsons Organ.
Located at the base of the nasal cavity, Jacobsons Organ helps a snake taste.
Touch
As previously mentioned, snakes react strongly to touch. The body of a snake comprises a lining with tactile receptors. These receptors make them highly sensitive to touch.
Snakes can sense vibrations of movement far away due to the large number of receptors.
A snake can estimate the size of its prey by the amount of vibration felt.
Warmth
Lastly, most snakes possess a sixth sense relating to warmth. Although not all types have this trait, those who do can utilize it to catch prey.
The sense of heat comes from heat pits within the snake.
These pits enable a snake’s prey to strike accordingly, sensing its location relative to the snake’s body.
Snakes often have poor vision and are unable to see their prey.
This sixth sense allows them to hunt efficiently, even without seeing.
Benefit Of Senses
Even with lacking certain traits, a snake can use other senses to provide for itself.
As with humans who can’t see, we rely on our remaining abilities to complete routine tasks.
Will My Pet Snake Display Aggression Towards Me?
Through continual contact and exposure to your smell and warmth, your pet snake will know that you are non-threatening.
This knowledge will allow you to interact with your snake with reduced fear of attack.
This doesn’t mean you are safe.
Even if your pet is calm and docile for a long time, it may change its mind at any moment. Many reasons can cause behavior changes.
Threat
If they feel threatened, a snake might attack their owner. This feeling of threat may occur during vulnerable periods of shedding when a snake sheds its outer skin.
During this time, which happens several times in the first few years of a snakes life, your pets temperament can change.
It’s beneficial to know this information early.
Health
Your pet snake may be feeling unwell and act out as a result. Perhaps it has suffered an injury that you are unaware of or is fighting an illness.
You may need to seek out professional care for your pet in order to properly diagnose the problem.
Socialization
Pet snakes can attack if they are not socialized properly or left alone for a long time.
This behavior should be remediated with regular interaction.
An example of this is a family vacation, which will take you away from your pet for a long time.
Temperature
Snakes like a certain temperature in their climate. They may react negatively to extreme temperatures or cold.
Feeding
Sometimes your pet snake simply mistakes you for food. As previously mentioned, a snake often associates its feeders scent with eating.
They may assume that you are giving them your meal, even though you aren’t.
Enclosure
The environment in which a snake lives can determine its happiness level.
A snake may act out if its cage is too small.
Proper enclosure elements include:
- Temperature Gradients: Suitable levels and areas to heat up and cool off
- Humidity: Optimal levels and an appropriately-sized humidity box
- Hiding SpacesandClimbingObjects: At least two hides to feel secure
- Size – A suitable size to allow your pet to move around freely
- Location – In a quiet location with minimal air irritants
- Substrate – The appropriate amount of substrate in their cage
You can ensure a happy and healthy environment for your pet by accounting for these essential elements.
Conclusion
A pet snake is a completely different animal than a dog or cat. The care and relationship are vastly different.
Whereas your dog can recognize you as its owner when you walk in the door, your pet snake does not have the intellectual ability to do so.
This can sometimes feel frustrating because you don’t get enough affection. However, snakes are amazing creatures that do many beautiful things.
Every pet has its own unique experience. Having a snake is a unique opportunity that many dont get to have.
A pet snake is worth the effort, even if it doesn’t recognize you or show affection. The option to bring one into your home is a rewarding adventure that you wont regret.
