The yellow rat snake that may enjoy some human contact.

[Cory]

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

I'd like to believe you but your last sentence just isn't right. Science HAS proven to date (not saying it can't change) that snakes operate without emotions as we perceive them.

Would you be so kind as to substantiate your claim with scientific evidence? As well, how would you interpret the two snake behaviours that I outlined at the very beginning of this thread?

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by Cory

Would you be so kind as to substantiate your claim with scientific evidence? As well, how would you interpret the two snake behaviours that I outlined at the very beginning of this thread?

Just because I'm not ready to go to bed yet I'll humour you.

Here are the parts from the first post. I have not seen these actions in person so it's a little tougher to describe the behaviour off in the information given. I'll try though.

1. he will often arch his back up toward my finger. I can slowly pull it away about an inch (2.5 cm) and he will follow with his arched back. I have considered that this may be a negative reaction intended to push me away but his normal reaction to unwanted stimuli is to retreat into his 'burrow' made from PVC piping. If this is a negative response then it is an unusual one compared to all the other times he doesn't like something and wants to get away.

He doesn't want you touching him. It's a defense a lot of snakes use. They "throw" or "push" their body towards what they don't like near it instead of biting. They do have times where they are less tolerant of us and will react differently so I wouldn't say it's something simply because he didn't flee. Lots of animals sit still in hope the predator doesn't see them. Maybe he's making himself look bigger to "shoo" you away?

2. he sometimes begin moving in a very jerky fashion, with sudden and repeated twitchy, even convulsive motions. He maintains his interest in the touch and tends to not recoil when it investigates and realizes that the source is human. Once he even slid two thirds of his body off of his perch and onto my hand.

This would simply be breeding behaviour to me. Regardless of what you're doing or your hand that's what it seems like. Doesn't matter if he ended up in your hand or not. Snakes are pretty dull, he easily could have thought your hand was a warm branch and decided to move onto it. Nothing to do with YOU or emotions.

Lastly, it's already been stated reptiles don't have the limbic system to have emotions. If you'd like some sources brought to you I think you would be the one to need to bring them to us as well. You have brought anecdotes and conjecture.