suecornish said:
I agree with most you say; but, less just say for argument sake, that it is the Native American genes in me that make me believe that all things have intellegence; a snake is not intellegent like a dog but intellegent just the same; a tree is not intellegent like a snake but intellegent just the same. It an ancient belief powered by ancestorial genes that makes me believe this, not scientific fact. Science bases intellegence on human intellegence. But all species and living things are intellegent within their species. :crazy02:
I guess that's why it's spelled intelligence/intelligent :sidestep:
In regards to this interesting argument, I do believe that both sides have some merit.
On one hand, snakes are not what I would consider a sophistically intelligent animal. Their reptilian brains inhibit them from having a certain amount of understanding or reasoning that most mammals are capable of. This is why most snakes I believe are mostly solitary in nature other than when it comes time for breeding. Snakes are a very reactionary animal which is almost all based on their inherent survival instinct.
On the other hand, I do believe that snakes and people can have a limited understanding and comfort zone based on body language, something a reptile is very well developed for. If you have a snake that is coiled and rattling it's tail, you know what that means regardless of your "relationship" with that animal is. That goes for other behaviors as well. And the snakes also do have a limited capacity to assess a threat situation and develop a more relaxed attitude, but this is very species specific.
I wouldn't try to tame/handle most venomous snakes as they are highly aggressive no matter how calm their environment or handler are. But then you have to consider Cobra handlers. It's almost as if there's a metaphysical relationship between the Cobra and the handler, but it's more or less a balancing act of behavior actions and reactions.
In terms of Corn snakes, I think they are more relaxed by natural selection rather than them understading our "love" and care of them, especially when you consider other Elaphe species that can be normally aggressive like the Texas Rat snakes regardless of how much you handle them. However, some aggressive/hyper snakes can be "tamed" to a degree with a certain amount of handling, but that once again varies on the species AND the individual attitude adjustment of the snake itself.
The Native American Indians had a very interesting and unique understanding of all animals they encountered and learned to respect them in terms of cohabitating along side with them. There are obviously many other cultures that have a lot of these same belief systems and attitudes, however, that is not the status quo. Unfortunately, no matter how much you try to convey that snakes are an important and vital part of our ecology, most people cannot allay their own inbred cultural fears in regards to snakes and reptiles in general.
So, to summarize all my babbling...
I agree mostly with Swe_corn in his overall assessment of the primitive nature of snakes and their inability to form emotional attachments to their keepers regardless of how we feel about them. But I also agree partially with Suecornish that we can create a bond based on body language and behaviors that snakes also can understand. This isn't to say that your most beloved calm snake won't do the unspeakable and bite/musk/defecate on you unexpectedly one day. It's no different that a dog or a cat (or even a human being) that does resort back to some primal instinct and lash out for reasons unknown. The most important thing is to remember not to judge your pet for your not understanding of their true nature, just love them for the animal they are and try to be
