Snakes ARE affectionate

[jjhill001]

Originally Posted by sophiedufort

Here is what I said, word by word: "I just hate it when people speak lowly of snakes, and of any pets for that matter." I never made this comment in reference to people who don't believe that snakes love. My comment is strictly about people who use disparaging comments when referring to their snake pets, or their pets in general. Example in my previous post ("these idiots"). I am sorry that you misunderstood my statement.

This isn't Tumbler and snakes don't have ears and can't get offended. Who cares if someone disparages them. We all obviously like reptiles and snakes otherwise we'd be on snake murdering forums (probably a thing).

The better debate is, do we think that snakes can be disparaged? If so do they care?

[sophiedufort]

Originally Posted by jjhill001

This isn't Tumbler and snakes don't have ears and can't get offended. Who cares if someone disparages them. We all obviously like reptiles and snakes otherwise we'd be on snake murdering forums (probably a thing).

The better debate is, do we think that snakes can be disparaged? If so do they care?

I'm absolutely certain that my snakes cannot understand disparaging words, or any words for that matter. But I can understand these words, and that's all that matters. I just don't like how some people talk about their pets. It doesn't mean that their pets are bad. It simply reflects on their own personality.
Please read my earlier posts to understand the distinction between using disparaging words, and meaning them.

[lady_bug87]

I think it's worse when people improperly care for their animals. When they take them out of their enclosures all the time and snuggle up with them in bed, when they put little hats on them...

[eminart]

Originally Posted by sophiedufort

Here is what I said, word by word: "I just hate it when people speak lowly of snakes, and of any pets for that matter." I never made this comment in reference to people who don't believe that snakes love. My comment is strictly about people who use disparaging comments when referring to their snake pets, or their pets in general. Example in my previous post ("these idiots"). I am sorry that you misunderstood my statement.

The following was posted by you long before the one guy called his snake stupid, or anyone said anything disparaging, other than saying snakes don't love.

Hey, guys, are you actually snake owners, or did you join this forum just for fun? You are acting as if snakes are worthless, brainless, heartless pets.

But I do FEEL their love, and that says it all. In return, I treat them with the utmost care and affection and I make sure that they can feel it too. That's what makes a snake-human relationship worthwhile.

I just wonder how some people speak of these animals, with such detachment and (almost) disdain.

So, I'm not buying your revisionist history of the attitude you've had toward those of us who don't believe snakes love.

I don't know how old you are, or how much science you know. I'm sure you're a nice person, and I do believe you have the animals' best interests at heart. I just think you're misguided in what those interests actually are. I believe you are thinking VERY much from a human perspective, which is the worst way to understand an animal. Our human brains are quite unique in nature. I suggest you read the book, "Last Ape Standing" by Chip Walter. Sure, some of the more social animals exhibit behaviors that we might call "love" and certainly "affection", but even they aren't THINKING the same way we are, usually. But, to try to apply these types of emotions to a reptile that is not social, often eats its young, doesn't hunt together, doesn't benefit from tight-knit communities, doesn't have much of a brain, and would eat you if you were small enough, is an astronomical stretch of reality.

[SSSSnakes]

Originally Posted by sophiedufort

I don't consider myself a pet owner. I am a pet parent.

Pets are pets, not people. No one has ever given birth to a snake, liz., dog or cat. Parents have human children and own pets. Lets keep it real.

[jjhill001]

Originally Posted by sophiedufort

I'm absolutely certain that my snakes cannot understand disparaging words, or any words for that matter. But I can understand these words, and that's all that matters. I just don't like how some people talk about their pets. It doesn't mean that their pets are bad. It simply reflects on their own personality.
Please read my earlier posts to understand the distinction between using disparaging words, and meaning them.

I've read the whole dog and pony show and let me just say this.

You BELIEVE that snakes are affectionate. Every scientific study has shown otherwise. This is brought up, and then I feel sad because you attack us for stating known things.

This doesn't mean snakes don't have personalities. This doesn't mean that snakes are stupid. However they do not give one solitary crap about me as long as I'm not trying to eat them.

Just because my snakes do not love me doesn't mean I can't love them. And that's OK. Billions of human marriages are like this.

But don't come in here, stating opinion when you know dang well what the facts are. I'll find the studies and link them to you if you'd prefer.

If you want to believe your snakes love you, that's fine and it doesn't hurt any of us. But this is just you doing you. And that's great. But don't come in here talking fact if you don't have any.

[lady_bug87]

I always wonder if "pet" parents have human children...

[jjhill001]

Originally Posted by lady_bug87

I always wonder if "pet" parents have human children...

What's it like living in a violent video game?

[mutsos]

Originally Posted by sophiedufort

I wonder how you would manage if you were tied down (legs and arms fully bound) and had to swallow an entire squirrel, bones, fur and all. Do you think you could make it in less than 30 minutes (serious thinking time included, trying to figure out where to start from without choking to death)? Oh, and let's add to the challenge a little. Whoever tied you down thinks you're an idiot and didn't bother to serve you a dead squirrel. This one is very lively and truly overexcited, so you'll have to knock it out first. Are your complex emotions going to come to the rescue? Or perhaps you can't have them, since you can't efficiently handle a simple task, such as eating?

Sorry if I was not clear enough but it supposed to be a humorus post. Ι overacted because I wanted to make anyone laugh. I don't believe my snakes are worthless idiots but the fact that I like them doesn' t mean that they share the same feeling for me. It 's impossible for me to imagine how a snake or any other lizard feel or think and I am not the one to judge them. Every single animal is different and as humans some are more inteligent than others. I am not an experienced keeper but as far as I am concerned mine are not geniuses

[lady_bug87]

Originally Posted by jjhill001

What's it like living in a violent video game?

Pretty good actually.

[jjhill001]

Originally Posted by lady_bug87

Pretty good actually.

Glad you got the joke lol. Also to your previous post about being more mad about people not taking care of their pets correctly. My grandpa hates his cat, calls him all sorts of swear words and everything. But he feeds him, waters, cleans his litter box, and lets the cat sleep on his lap in the evening.

I'd prefer that to some guy cuddle wuddling his animal but starving it to death.

[lady_bug87]

Originally Posted by jjhill001

Glad you got the joke lol. Also to your previous post about being more mad about people not taking care of their pets correctly. My grandpa hates his cat, calls him all sorts of swear words and everything. But he feeds him, waters, cleans his litter box, and lets the cat sleep on his lap in the evening.

I'd prefer that to some guy cuddle wuddling his animal but starving it to death.

haha cuddle wuddle!

[sophiedufort]

Originally Posted by eminart

The following was posted by you long before the one guy called his snake stupid, or anyone said anything disparaging, other than saying snakes don't love.







So, I'm not buying your revisionist history of the attitude you've had toward those of us who don't believe snakes love.

I don't know how old you are, or how much science you know. I'm sure you're a nice person, and I do believe you have the animals' best interests at heart. I just think you're very misguided in what those interests actually are. I believe you are thinking VERY much from a human perspective, which is the worst way to understand an animal. Our human brains are very unique in nature. I suggest you read the book, "Last Ape Standing" by Chip Walter. Sure, some of the more social animals exhibit behaviors that we might call "love" and certainly "affection", but even they aren't THINKING the same way we are, usually. But, to try to apply these types of emotions to a reptile that is not social, often eats its young, doesn't hunt together, doesn't benefit from tight-knit communities, doesn't have much of a brain, and would eat you if you were small enough, is an astronomical stretch of reality.

Thank you for selecting these quotes from my earlier postings. They do, indeed, sum up my point, but I respect your opinion that they say something else. It is your choice how you interpret my statements, although I would much prefer if they were taken for what they are, instead of being speculated upon.

I started this thread because I was curious to find out other people's opinions. Quite a few members thought it was laughable, and replied as such. They are entitled to do so, I respect that. Some others quoted old and/or outdated scientific evidence. I respect that too. But a few were unfairly rude, not only towards me, the original poster, but also towards the entire pet snake idea. I do not respect that.

I am not trying to impose my point of view. But I will not shut up when the comments posted in this thread turn nasty. This forum was created with the pets' well-being in mind, or so I believe. Yet, it seems that some people keep waking up on the wrong side of the bed, and use the forum and its members as a punching bag. I am deeply disappointed.

Oh, please note that these comments are not directed at you personally. I just summarized what happened so far, and what prompted my comments. But I don't have to convince you, do I? You are welcome to interpret my posts in every way you wish.

And yes, I do read a lot, I am highly educated, and I always strive to learn as much as I possible can about my pets, their behavior (both in the wild and in captivity) and their traits. The topic of 'snake affection' is very divided, and backed by old scientific findings that are lately being disputed. The 'limbic system' theory has become outdated, and more scientists now look at the snake brain from different angles. But that's irrelevant to me. I have six amazing snakes, they all display a primitive closeness that I like to call 'affection', and I believe there's nothing wrong with perceiving it as such.

[sophiedufort]

Originally Posted by mutsos

Sorry if I was not clear enough but it supposed to be a humorus post. Ι overacted because I wanted to make anyone laugh. I don't believe my snakes are worthless idiots but the fact that I like them doesn' t mean that they share the same feeling for me. It 's impossible for me to imagine how a snake or any other lizard feel or think and I am not the one to judge them. Every single animal is different and as humans some are more inteligent than others. I am not an experienced keeper but as far as I am concerned mine are not geniuses

Thank you for the clarification. I appreciate it.

[lady_bug87]

If you're educated than you'd know that taking an ectothermic animal out of its controlled environment for extended periods of time can cause them to become lethargic AND it can impact their overall health.