Do snakes even like people? This question has puzzled many reptile lovers over the years. While snakes don’t show affection in the same ways as dogs or cats, they do have their own ways of demonstrating they enjoy your company.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Look for behaviors like tongue flicking in your direction, slithering toward you, and tolerating handling as signs a snake may like you.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to interpret your snake’s body language and behaviors. You’ll learn how to spot signs of enjoyment versus fear or aggression. We’ll also discuss how to build trust with your snake and create a safe, positive environment.
Do Snakes Have the Capacity to Like Humans?
Snakes are Independent Animals
Snakes are highly independent creatures that do not form social bonds like dogs or primates. They spend most of their time alone, hunting, basking, exploring, and finding shelter. Snakes have fairly simple brains and their behavior is driven mostly by instinct, rather than higher levels of cognition.
This means they likely do not possess the neural complexity required for emotions like love or affection for humans.
However, some snake behaviors can give the impression of enjoyment and fondness. Snakes will often recognize their primary caretakers and show very relaxed body language around familiar people, while remaining defensive around strangers.
But this relaxed demeanor is likely due to learned safety cues rather than actual affection.
Snakes Can Form Associations
Though they are not social, snakes are capable of basic learning. Through regular, gentle handling, snakes can come to associate their human caretakers with safety. They learn that being picked up does not lead to harm. This type of learning is known as “habituation.”
Over time, a habituated snake may appear tame, calm, and comfortable with its owner. But this does not necessarily mean the snake feels a sense of companionship – just that it has learned not to perceive its handler as a threat.
Snakes Feel Safe with Familiar People
When a snake has gotten used to an individual, it will likely respond with neutral or positive behavior upon interaction. The snake may calmly explore its handler, flick its tongue, or rest quietly without panicking or showing aggression.
This relaxed response shows the snake perceives its handler as non-threatening. The snake may enjoy the warmth and security of being held. But the relationship is likely driven by safety cues and instinct, not by an emotional bond on the snake’s part.
Reading Snake Body Language
Tongue Flicking
One of the most common ways snakes communicate is through tongue flicking. When a snake sticks out its tongue, it is gathering scents and particles from the air to analyze its surroundings. Frequent tongue flicking is a sign that a snake is curious about something in its environment – perhaps even you!
If the snake is flicking its tongue while facing in your direction, it likely finds you interesting and may not mind interacting.
Approaching You
Some snakes are quite shy and prefer to keep their distance from humans. But a friendly snake who wants to interact may slowly slither closer in your direction. If the snake doesn’t exhibit signs of aggression like hissing or striking, this likely means it feels comfortable approaching you and enjoys your presence.
Relaxed Posture
A snake that likes you will appear relaxed and calm in your presence, rather than coiled tightly or poised to flee. An interested snake may sprawl out leisurely on the ground when you are near, whereas a frightened snake will be tense. A relaxed posture signals that the snake feels safe around you.
Raising Their Head
Snakes tend to lift their heads to get a better look at things that catch their attention. So if a snake repeatedly raises its head when you enter the room or approach its enclosure, this suggests that you have piqued its interest.
It is keeping an eye on you because it finds you intriguing, not alarming.
Pushing Against Your Hand
Some very tame snakes will intentionally touch humans they are familiar with. For example, a pet ball python may gently push its head or body against your motionless hand to request petting or attention. This type of behavior shows that the snake likely enjoys physical contact with you.
Stargazing
When a snake stargazes, it points its head straight up and stays very still as if captivated by something overhead. This odd posture is a sign that the snake feels completely relaxed and comfortable in your presence. A stargazing snake has essentially let its guard down to bask in chilled out bliss!
Behaviors that Demonstrate Fear or Aggression
Snakes often display certain behaviors when they feel threatened or afraid. Recognizing these signs can help you avoid getting bitten and know when to give a snake some space. Here are some common behaviors that indicate fear or aggression in snakes:
Hissing
One of the most well-known signs of an upset snake is hissing. This sibilant sound is made when snakes forcefully expel air from their throat. It’s often accompanied by an open-mouthed threat display. Hissing serves as a warning to potential predators to back off.
If you hear hissing, it’s best to slowly move away from the snake.
Striking
When provoked, some species of snakes will strike out or attempt to bite as a defensive reaction. This rapid lunge where the snake thrusts its head forward to bite is often preceded by other signals like hissing, shaking of the tail, and coiling.
Striking is a snake’s way of protecting itself, so give a striking snake a wide berth.
Coiling
Many snakes coil their bodies when feeling threatened. This coiling posture pulls their head into the center of their coiled body, ready to lash out and bite if needed. A coiled snake is on the defensive, so don’t approach. Allow the snake to relax and uncoil before carefully moving away.
Rapid Tongue Flicking
Snakes regularly flick their forked tongues in and out to pick up chemical cues, but rapid tongue flicking can signal nervousness or irritation. If you notice a snake quickly flicking its tongue when you approach, take it as a sign to slowly back away and give the snake some space.
Fleeing
Some snakes may flee or try to escape when they feel threatened. Signs of retreat include sudden rapid movement away from you or attempts to hide. If a snake is fleeing, it’s best not to pursue or try to pick it up. Simply let it be and don’t pose a threat.
By recognizing behaviors like hissing, striking, and fleeing, you can avoid disturbing a snake and potentially getting bitten. With patience and caution, you can appreciate snakes from a safe distance.
Their beautiful colors and behaviors are worth observing in the wild when you know the signs to look for.
Building Trust with Your Snake
Snakes can make great pets, but building a bond of trust takes time and patience. Here are some tips for building a positive relationship with your scaly friend:
Have Regular Handling Sessions
Plan to handle your snake daily if possible. Start with short 5-10 minute handling sessions and slowly build up duration. Go slowly and let the snake get accustomed to your scent and touch. Make sure to support the snake’s body fully when handling.
Move Slowly and Confidently
When reaching into the enclosure or handling your snake, be slow and deliberate in your movements. Sudden movements may startle them. Move calmly and confidently to help your snake feel secure.
Reward Your Snake with Food
Offer your snake a treat like a tasty mouse or rat after a handling session. This helps reinforce that handling is a positive experience, not something to fear. But don’t handle right after feeding, when snakes are more likely to strike defensively.
Give Them Lots of Enrichment
Make sure your snake’s enclosure has plenty of hiding spots, branches, plants, and other enrichments. This reduces stress and gives them security. A happy snake is more likely to tolerate and enjoy handling.
Building trust takes time, consistency, and positive reinforcement. But with regular, gentle handling sessions, your snake can become comfortable with you and even seek out human interaction!
Creating a Safe Environment
Proper Habitat Setup
Setting up the proper habitat is crucial for a snake to feel safe and thrive. The enclosure should be escape-proof with a secure lid, provide appropriate heat and humidity levels, and have proper substrates and hides.
The general rule is the enclosure length should be at least the adult length of the snake. Popular substrates like aspen shavings or coconut fiber allow burrowing and absorb messes. Hides on both warm and cool sides give the option to thermoregulate.
Be sure any branches or decor are securely fastened and unable to fall.
Manage Stress Levels
Snakes can become stressed by too much handling, noise, vibration, or even just seeing movement outside their enclosures. It’s important to respect when a snake seems overwhelmed and needs some alone time.
Providing an appropriate day/night light cycle, limiting decor changes, and handling gently and deliberately helps make snakes feel relaxed and safe. If a snake stops eating even with perfect husbandry, decreased handling is often the solution.
Respect Their Space When Needed
Snakes often appreciate having their own secure spaces to retreat to. Providing proper hides, limiting handling after meals for digestion, and allowing uninterrupted periods of inactivity are some ways to respect a snake’s required personal time.
Signs of possible stress like prolonged soaking, restless motion, or defensive postures cue the handler to step back. With routine positive interactions, snakes become comfortable with their owners, though owners should remain alert to signs more space is temporarily needed.
Conclusion
While snakes show affection differently than humans or furry pets, they do enjoy interactions with their trusted handlers. By learning your snake’s unique body language and providing a secure, enriched habitat, you can form a rewarding relationship built on mutual trust and respect.
Pay attention to behaviors like tongue flicking, slithering toward you, and tolerating handling as positive signs. Build trust slowly, give them space when required, and reward them for calm interactions. With time and patience, you may just find that your snake genuinely likes you!
