Can snakes sense fear?

[Hoppa1874]

well my snakes do that same thing.. when i give them to someone else to hold, if its not my immediate family, they strain their bodies out to get to me..i think they are used to my smell more than anyhting..they know me by how i smell and taste..

[liasis]

hahaha taste, human the other other white meat

[Southside Morelia]

Originally Posted by snakesrule

Snakes can sense fear
They actually smell it as they have a very advanced sense of smell much more advanced than dogs or people
When people or animals are scared the bodies give of an odour
The snake or animal pick up on this.
When something is scared it is generally unpredictable which in turn can cause your snake or whatever animal to become defensive.

I am curious as to where you gained that information, can you show us the scientific evidence that supports this, or is this just your theory? I agree to an extent, snakes do have a superior sense of smell, but I am keen to see some evidence to their reaction to fear!
Cheers...

[OzRocks]

Originally Posted by womanator

They can feel the vibration LONG before there heat sensing pits come into play. YES they can detect heat with their pits but only at a relatively close distance when compared with their sense of smell and ability to detect vibration.

yeah sorry i forgot to add that....and it is very surprising how such small movements can be detected so far away by snakes.....it also helps with the detection of other animals when their head may not be in the right spot...ie. under a log

[Serpant_Lady]

My guess about the inextperianced bit ould be that people don't support them enogh or hold them firmly enough for them to feel comportable annd not like they will fall. This could easily make them nervous

[m.punja]

Originally Posted by scm1

I am curious as to where you gained that information, can you show us the scientific evidence that supports this, or is this just your theory? I agree to an extent, snakes do have a superior sense of smell, but I am keen to see some evidence to their reaction to fear!
Cheers...

That would be interesting. The way i always saw it was that they would remember you by scent and know that you were more confident, as a lot of ppl have been saying

[snakesrule]

Originally Posted by scm1

I am curious as to where you gained that information, can you show us the scientific evidence that supports this, or is this just your theory? I agree to an extent, snakes do have a superior sense of smell, but I am keen to see some evidence to their reaction to fear!
Cheers...

I have worked as a snake catcher for many years .
Watching snakes reactions to people also to animals When the snake has felt threatened by dogs or people and also when it hasnt been so intimidated.
I have seen it with my own collection and other peoples collection as well.
This can also be proved sometimes when other animals take an instant dislike to some people when they generally accept most people.
I also sell elapids at times and before I will sell an elapid to a person I watch the body language between the snake and the person.
The way I do it isnt fool proof but it does give a better than average idea.
Generally if a person is exagerating about experience with elapids or pythons they generally show some signs of fear.
My observations have been discussed with other snake handlers and we do tend to have the same general idea

[liasis]

Originally Posted by snakesrule

I have worked as a snake catcher for many years .
Watching snakes reactions to people also to animals When the snake has felt threatened by dogs or people and also when it hasnt been so intimidated.
I have seen it with my own collection and other peoples collection as well.
This can also be proved sometimes when other animals take an instant dislike to some people when they generally accept most people.
I also sell elapids at times and before I will sell an elapid to a person I watch the body language between the snake and the person.
The way I do it isnt fool proof but it does give a better than average idea.
Generally if a person is exagerating about experience with elapids or pythons they generally show some signs of fear.
My observations have been discussed with other snake handlers and we do tend to have the same general idea

so your saying that it is just your theory there are not facts just your expience

[grimbeny]

I very much doubt a snake has an in built knowledge of what human fear smells like, it would have almost no evolutionary advantage(I dont think humans killing snakes has had much to do with their selection). I think the being flighty with inexperienced handlers is just becaus they rnt holding the snake properly.

[liasis]

Originally Posted by grimbeny

I very much doubt a snake has an in built knowledge of what human fear smells like, it would have almost no evolutionary advantage(I dont think humans killing snakes has had much to do with their selection). I think the being flighty with inexperienced handlers is just becaus they rnt holding the snake properly.

well said

[Southside Morelia]

Originally Posted by grimbeny

I very much doubt a snake has an in built knowledge of what human fear smells like, it would have almost no evolutionary advantage(I dont think humans killing snakes has had much to do with their selection). I think the being flighty with inexperienced handlers is just becaus they rnt holding the snake properly.

Yeh, I agree with that although open for opinions!
Snakesrule, good to hear your experiences!
I personally have not observed that, not to say it doesn't happen!
Do you observe this in wild caught specimens more, just curious?

[Grunta]

i don't know but if Snakes sense fear my wife would be a great test. I'll try it out tonight and see if he reacts differently with her than me cause she is s..t scared of our little bloke.

[MoreliaMatt]

i'll just put this one out there if anyone can explain it?

my bredli is a bitey little man, and will always bite me or anyone that tries to pick him up, however, when shawn comes to visit (rocket from these forums) he can pick him straight up without a drama!

[Tatelina]

Originally Posted by scm1

I am curious as to where you gained that information....

I was going to ask the same thing.

[happy_life]

My snake only bites people who are affraid.

I think they feel the shaking.