does my boa love me

[Hairless]

I don't see anything to debate. I simply stated my opinion on your views of other keepers who choose to believe what their reptiles feel.

I don't think snakes feel as stated in the above posts, but to clarify: I don't approve of the statement "I pity those who have not reached this level of animal keeping".

Like I said before...you are entitled to your thoughts.

[razeraze]

Hairless I prefer people research instead of just believe. Blind faith does nothing for really learning about your animal. Perhaps I have grown a little cynical but it is because people refuse to discuss with their heads instead of just their gut feelings.
I do pity those who feel you have to have a mutual caring relationship with any animal of lesser intelligence. Animals with lesser intelligence should never be held to our standard or else we will find they fall short. Then when someone gets bit in the face by their usually "loving" burmese python, people like me will have to take the animal in.

[Hairless]

Of this I'm 100% certain:
I don't know what my snakes feel.

Of this I'm 99.9% certain:
Beliefs are unique to humans.

[razeraze]

Originally Posted by Hairless

Of this I'm 100% certain:
I don't know what my snakes feel.
Of this I'm 99.9% certain:
Beliefs are unique to humans.

No one can know exactly what another species feels, but science can help. MRI, CAT, PET and other neuroimaging tests can help us understand endorphins, hormones, and other bodily functions related to behavior or even emotions. Stimuli tests and observations can also help us understand and define where emotions begin and are separated from instinct (if they are?). Heck even instinct can be a learned response instead of a genetic trait. Only by researching and testing can we ever hope to understand things instead of just accept things.

[Stargazer]

Raze loves a good debate! But since it's not a debate thread, I'll simply state my belief for what it's worth. I absolutely experience a bond with my snakes, especially with Veronica. She seems to trust me implicitly and enjoy my companionship. The bond with Jesse is growing, too. I also believe that on some level (perhaps the spirit level), they are capable of loving us and knowing who we are and what our motivations are. There is probably no scientific evidence to back this up, but I believe it more and more as I get to know my snakes and handle them.

[SherriX2]

Wow!! I didnt expect my question to turn into such a battle.

[louise]

I pity those who have not reached this level of animal keeping

on this subject you are the one that should be pitied cause you will never have a special relationship with your reptiles.