Do snakes sense fear??

[nocturnal_pulse]

hi all...
I was wondering do snakes sense fear from people? As my missus is still a little afraid to reach into its enclosure....and she wanted to know....only because she said that horses and some other animals can sense fear in ppl...lol
cheers

 

[zan777]

yes they can

 

[nocturnal_pulse]

haha thanks ......my missus is even more reluctant now..

 

[serpenttongue]

I don't believe they have the intelligence to sense fear in another being. They may detect a different scent that we give off when we are scared, but i doubt that a snake knows that it's because we are scared.

 

[zan777]

as long as u act stong and dont make sketchy fast movements shel be fine. just dont stick ur hand in then quickly pull it away

 

[Bearded_Lady]

Snakes react to body language and the way you handle/approach them can play a big role in the animals reaction.

 

[Lewy]

I don't believe they have the intelligence to sense fear in another being. They may detect a different scent that we give off when we are scared, but i doubt that a snake knows that it's because we are scared.

Yes i agree i do not believe that snakes sense fear, but they will react if you do

Lewy

 

[Bearded_Lady]

Also scent... eg. if you smell/have been handle the rats u feed em, you're more likely to get tagged.

 

[Bearded_Lady]

As serpenttongue said

 

[disasterpiece7.0]

I agree with serpenttongue. They probably don't realise it's fear, but I reckon we may give off different hormonal scents when scared or nervous, and the snake may smell this and react with caution, or even nervousness themselves. I have noticed different reactions in my snakes when handled by someone confident and not scared compared with someone who is very nervous.

 

[raevyncriss]

diamond python

how smart are diamonds? can they recognise their handlers ? do they have long memories?

 

[serpenttongue]

how smart are diamonds? can they recognise their handlers ? do they have long memories?

Reasonably smart. I dont believe they can recognise their handler by sight, but perhaps by scent.

I believe they have long memories.

 

[pythons73]

I would agree with Sp with recognising their handler.One of big girls recognisers me,if other pll go near her she acts different.

 

[nabu120]

i think it might have something to do with pulse rate to, i kno my maccie doesnt like to b handled but relly nervous ppl with a high pulse rate were as he doesnt mind ppl who are calm about it

 

[licky]

yeh they will react when you act. i reckon hesitation is the reason so many people get bitten.
i honestly doubt the whole hormonal thing because the change in hormones wont be picked up instantly and by the time you have your snake out and on your arm, i bet you have calmed down

 

[mark83]

I have no idea but as most have said I think it has alot to do with body language. The calmer your movements are the calmer the snake is

 

[Jungletrans]

l have been warned about viscious snakes before but as being bitten doesnt worry me they have been fine when l pick them up . Some of mine that are very calm will get very aggitated when a nervous person tries to handle them . So there must be something to it .

 

[PhilK]

They definitely cannot! A confident approach is better though, because for the snake it's done with quickly.