Corn snakes are widely regarded as the #1 snake with the best personality. They are super friendly and love to be handled. California kingsnakes are easily tamable and are great with kids. Hognose snakes have interesting behavior patterns, such as playing dead, which they do in the wild to deter predators.
Can you bond with a snake? Some snake owners feel as though their snake recognises them and is more eager to be held by them than by other people. However, snakes don't have the intellectual capacity to feel emotions such as affection.
The most affection they can show you as their owner is acceptance. Acceptance means they wouldn't get defensive or agitated when you approach their enclosure or handle them. Snakes aren't really capable of complex emotions like affection. The most they will feel toward their owner is acceptance.
While studies have shown that snakes can prefer certain snakes over others, it is still not sure that snakes can actually bond with humans and prefer some over others. However, most snakes can get used to the presence and touch of humans.
Even though snakes can't feel love or affection, they can show an affinity for you as an object. There are many signs that a snake sees you as an object it likes. For example, they may rub their heads against you. This is known as “head-bobbing.” They may also try to wrap themselves around you.
Snakes can absolutely develop a bond with their owners, but not the way a dog or a cat would. And this greatly depends on the species. Some snakes are just always going to be a little high-strung and bitey, others are far more easygoing and mellow.
Snakes do not typically like being pet, but some that become accustomed to being handled don't mind the human interaction. Snakes can definitely feel when you pet them but the sensation is not as desirable as it is for many domesticated animals.
Vipers, pythons and boas have holes on their faces called pit organs, which contain a membrane that can detect infrared radiation from warm bodies up to one metre away. At night, the pit organs allow snakes to 'see' an image of their predator or prey — as an infrared camera does — giving them a unique extra sense.
Your Snake is Happy If…
He moves slowly when handled; snakes move quickly when stressed to avoid danger. If he is comfortable around you, he will be relaxed when picked up. Doesn't hyper-focus too often; snakes who feel threatened will focus on what is in front of them such as prey or predator.
Some experts believe that snakes can show affection. However, they often do this in subtle ways, and some snakes may not show it at all because they're not attached to their human owners. One common way snakes show affection is by rubbing their head against the object they're trying to be affectionate towards.
Corn Snake
One number one choice for the best snake pet is the corn snake. Of the bunch, corn snakes are considered the most docile and gentle. They are also known for being easy to handle and easy to feed.
To keep a reptile as a private zookeeper, you must obtain a license from the state or territory wildlife authority. Suitable starting snakes are the Stimson python, the southwest carpet python and the Woma python (also known as the Ramsay python and sand python).
Although the king cobra is undoubtedly a very dangerous snake, it prefers to escape unless it is provoked. Despite its aggressive reputation, the king cobra is actually much more cautious than many smaller snakes. The cobra only attacks people when it is cornered, in self-defense or to protect its eggs.
Some people may feel squirmy around snakes, but these reptiles offer company and stress relief for many people. Snakes are also low maintenance; they do not require daily walks and they are quiet during the day and at night.
A snake usually stares at its owner because it wants to be fed. Other reasons include protecting its environment, sensing heat, and lacking trust. In some cases, it can be a sign of stargazing, which is a dangerous condition requiring medical treatment.
Snakes do not tend to enjoy cuddling because they have evolved to be solitary creatures. It's unlikely that snakes respond to physical contact the way mammals and birds do. However, over time a snake can associate you as a positive part of its life due to providing food and heat.
In general, your snake is licking you to smell. This is part of a more complex olfactory (smell) process where they use chemicals in the air to learn more about their environment. Typically, this is completely normal behavior and should not warrant concern.
You may think your snake prefers your presence over the presence of another person, but it is highly unlikely that snakes can actually differentiate two people. Unlike dogs, cats, rats and birds, snakes simply do not have the right type of intelligence to recognize one specific human from another.
Snakes can hear sounds in the 80-600 Hz range, and since the human voice ranges from 85 – 255 Hz, snakes can indeed hear when you talk to them. They might even be able to differentiate between your voice and someone else's.
Snakes won't be receptive to your affection—they're wary animals who don't like being held, touched, petted, or passed around. It's stressful for them and puts them at risk of illness and injury, and because they don't whine or yelp, you may not realize that they're hurt. (See reason number 7.)
Most snakes are generally shy beings, and they would rather slither away in peace than awkwardly lock eyes with a human.
According to experts, the best thing to do if you come across any snake, whether it's venomous or not, is to keep a good distance. You should let them be because in most cases they're probably more afraid of you.
Snakes aren't playful in the way dogs and cats are, but they do like some toys. Your pet will appreciate having some different things to explore. Some good examples of this would be cork rounds, log decorations, and rock caves. Driftwood pieces and accessories can also be fun for your serpentine buddy to climb.