The Jewitch Who Loves Snakes

Common garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) during breeding season in Canada

Sunda King Cobra (Ophiophagus bungarus), family Elapidae, Sumatra, Indonesia

Venomous.

Two entwined pelagic sea snakes, now classified as Hydrophis platurus. Icones amphibiorum. 1835.

Known as the Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake.

Emerald tree boa (Corallus caninus) was photographed by @needatnewlens in Suriname.

snake

edit: this post is a severely different experience with the sound on

Scoria sweetly asking to be pet. She does this all the time to ask for affection. She originally learned this by watching and mimicking. Many snakes enjoy being pet, they just don't often know how how to tell their humans as the way they express love and affection naturally is different than us.

Snakes naturally show love and affection to each other (especially babies with their mothers) by slithering all over her, giving affection through touch. Many people do not recognize this affection as it isn't as easy to see as a human petting, or an animal licking- most only see an animal trying to get from one place to another. They don't realize an expression of affection is being made- but if you watch for intent you can sometimes tell they are trying to be affectionate not just go somewhere.

Scoria learning by watching and mimicking helps show affection in a way more easy for humans to understand and relate to. Many times she'll express this further by petting ME after she's been given all the love in the world. She's also pet her (very confused) sister, hopefully I'll have my camera ready next time as this is much more rare.

Snakes that lean into pets, relax, and stop moving and watch you while you pet them are good indicators they enjoy being pet. If they move away, or do defensive displays, or if you see their lungs move rapidly while being pet they are not having a good time.

Also there is a LIE that a lot of people believe that snakes can't feel happy, love, or affection. This is 100% false. This is often coupled with people saying snakes lack the part of the brain needed to feel these things. This is wrong. They have a brain structure more similar to birds than humans and their brain structure just uses a different chemical than humans. It's like saying that only name brand Coke is cola.