For many, snakes evoke fear and revulsion. Their limbless bodies, flickering tongues, and slit-pupiled eyes seem so alien to us mammalian primates. Yet serpentophiles insist that snakes can make affectionate pets. Can these cagey reptiles really form bonds with people?
Do Snakes Have the Capacity for Social Bonds?
Bonding requires some degree of social intelligence and empathy. Do snakes possess these traits? Let’s look at the evidence:
- Snakes recognize their caregivers. They respond differently to their familiar handlers vs strangers.
- Some snakes enjoy physical affection. They will rub against their owners hands to request petting.
- Snakes can be trained through positive reinforcement. They learn behaviors in exchange for food rewards.
- Mother snakes show maternal care. Pythons coil around their eggs and may remain with hatchlings for weeks.
So while not the most social creatures, snakes do seem capable of basic bonds. But do human-snake relationships qualify?
Signs Snakes Bond with their Owners
Here are some clues that a pet snake has bonded with its human caretaker:
- Comfort with handling. A bond makes snakes more tolerant of touch from their owners.
- Responsiveness to cues. Bonded snakes understand their names and come when called.
- Seeking out owner’s presence. Some snakes will follow their humans from room to room.
- Changes in behavior. When bonded to an owner, snakes become calmer and less likely to bite or strike.
Subtle signs like leaning into touch, tongue flicking, and slow blinking may also indicate a snake is bonded and comfortable with its handler.
Bond-Facilitating Snake Species and Individuals
Not all snakes bond easily. Here are some species and individual traits that allow snakes to bond more readily:
Species
- Ball pythons. This docile, medium-sized snake tolerates handling and becomes quite tame.
- Corn snakes. Easy-going and seldom aggressive, they adapt well to captivity.
- King snakes. Many kings bond strongly and interact well with owners.
- Garter snakes. Though small, they are calmer and more social than many others.
Individual Traits
- Young age. Snakes imprinted on humans as juveniles bond most easily.
- Regular handling. Frequent gentle interaction helps snakes acclimate.
- Calm temperament. Nervous, aggressive snakes are harder to tame.
- Bred in captivity. Snakes born from captive parents tend to be more docile.
Ways Humans Can Bond with Pet Snakes
If you want your snake to bond with you, here are some tips:
- Handle gently and consistently. Let the snake get used to your scent and touch.
- Hand feed preferred treats. This associates you with positive experiences.
- Give new stimuli. Snakes get to know you by exploring you.
- Create a calm routine. Build trust through predictable caring habits.
- Talk softly. Snakes may recognize soothing voices.
- Respond to cues. If the snake nudges you, for instance, pet it gently.
With regular, relaxing interaction, your pet snake is likely to come to see you as a trusted companion.
Signs of Fear or Stress in Snakes
Learning to read snake body language helps avoid scaring them. Be alert for signals like:
- Hissing/shaking tail. Signs of defensiveness and irritation.
- Coiling in a ball. Indicates the snake feels threatened.
- Mouth gaping. A potential prelude to biting.
- Musky odor. Stress response when frightened.
- Striking out. An attempt to appear dangerous.
- Freezing in place. Hoping to avoid detection.
If your snake shows these signs of fear, back away and give it space. Forcing interaction will undermine bonding.
Snake Bites When Bonded
A bonded pet snake is unlikely to bite except in the below cases:
- Feeding response – Hungry snakes may strike hands mistaken for food.
- Fear – Snakes will bite defensively if threatened or mishandled.
- Illness/injury – Pain can cause sudden aggressive reactions.
- Shedding – Snakes become extra nervous during this vulnerable time.
- Mistaken identity – They may forget even trusted handlers at first scent.
So while bonding reduces the risk, bites are still possible if the snake feels under duress. Stay alert to your snake’s signals.
Bond-Facilitating Snake Habitat Features
Your pet snake’s habitat can help it feel calm and secure as you interact. Helpful elements include:
- Snug hiding spots. This gives snakes a retreat space when needed.
- Climbing surfaces. Allowing 3D exploration engages snakes’ curiosity.
- Chew toys. Gnawing helps distract nervous snakes as you handle them.
- Familiar bedding scent. Smelling their substrate can soothe stressed snakes.
- Warm basking area. The heat helps snakes digest and feel comfortable.
A habitat customized to your snake’s needs reduces stress and promotes bonding.
Risks of Bonded Snakes Reverting to Wild Behavior
While bonded pet snakes generally remain docile, certain scenarios can revert them to more aggressive wild instincts. Risk factors include:
- New owners. Snakes may mistrust strangers until bonding occurs.
- Isolation. Lack of handling for extended times can cause habituation to humans to fade.
- Hunger. Being underfed raises predatory instincts.
- Breeding season. Mating urges make males more aggressive.
- Egg-laying. Female snakes become more defensive when gravid.
- Hibernation. The seasonal dormancy period alters snake behavior.
With proper care, supervision, and reacquainting, most bonded snakes remember and re-accept their owners after these disruptions.
Precautions for Children and Snakes
Children must be taught proper precautions if interacting with pet snakes:
- Supervise all handling. Children can fumble and frighten snakes.
- Support snake’s body. Don’t let it dangle or swing about.
- No tapping on tanks. Vibrations and knocks are alarming.
- Quiet, calm voices. Yelling or roughhousing will stress snakes.
- Hand washing first. Snakes dislike unfamiliar and strong scents.
- No faces close to snake. Quick movements or breathing can provoke bites.
With maturity, some children can become a bonded snake’s primary caretaker under parental guidance.
Snake Anti-Venom Availability
| Species | Anti-Venom Availability |
|---|---|
| Rattlesnakes | Readily available |
| Cobras | Readily available |
| Copperheads | Readily available |
| Coral snakes | Available but uncommon |
| Cottonmouths | Available but uncommon |
For bonded yet venomous snakes, confirm you can access appropriate anti-venom before bringing one home. Treatment may involve significant costs and travel.
Ideal Snake Bonding Timeline
When introducing a new snake, here’s a rough timeline for bonding:
- Week 1 – Habitat acclimation. Allow snake to settle without handling.
- Weeks 2-4 – Brief positive handling sessions 2-3 times per week.
- Weeks 5-8 – Longer handling periods. Begin target training and hand feeding.
- 2+ months – Regular gentle interaction. Snake bonds fully and enjoys handling.
This gradual process allows the snake to overcome wariness, build trust, and look forward to time with you.
Conclusion
While not as openly affectionate as dogs or cats, pet snakes can and do form bonds with their human caretakers. Species like corn snakes and ball pythons, especially if bred in captivity and handled from a young age, readily accept and come to prefer interacting with trusted owners. Investing time to understand snake communication, provide a secure habitat, and follow a gradual acclimation routine allows mutually rewarding bonds to develop and strengthen over months and years.