Have you ever looked at your pet and wondered what they were thinking? Sometimes, knowing what’s happening inside your pet’s head would be cool. A lot of common pets know and remember who their owner is, but does your snake have a memory?

Snakes have instinctive memory, but it’s not what a human would consider memory. They don’t really form an emotional bond with humans—rather, they associate them with feeding and safety.

In this article, I will explain a snake’s memory and how it works compared to other animals. So, let’s get started!

Can Snakes Remember Things?

Snakes can remember certain things regarding survival and instinct. That being said, their memory isn’t like that of a dog or cat. A cat or dog will remember their owner and form a bond with them. 

Snakes don’t do this. As you regularly feed and take care of your pet snake, they will associate you with their wellbeing and safety. Thanks to this familiarity, your snake will feel more comfortable being handled by you than by other people. However, strictly speaking, they don’t remember you.

It’s not clear that reptiles can feel love for humans—in fact, it’s not clear if snakes can feel emotions like compassion and affection. That doesn’t mean you can’t form a bond with your pet snake, but it won’t be like the one you’d form with a cat or dog.

A dog owner comes home, and their dog meets them at the door, tail wagging and excited to see them. Snakes are not like this. They will perk up when they see you near the enclosure, but that might be because they’ve associated your presence with getting food.

Snakes use their senses for survival and to know if there is a threat. Over time, your pet snake will come to associate you with dinner. As time passes, they learn that you aren’t a danger to them. They’ll be more comfortable around you, but there is still no emotional bond. 

There are mixed comments from pet owners who think their snakes have a better memory than scientists say. According to several snake owners on Reptile Forums UK, their snakes know precisely who they are and even like to cuddle with them without the presence of food. 

We may never know exactly what goes on inside a snake’s mind and what instinct is versus memory.

How Do Snakes Remember To Care for Their Young?

If snakes don’t have intricate memory, how do they remember they laid eggs and how to care for their young? Well, they do and they don’t. 

A snake’s survival instinct is to lay eggs in what they determine is a safe area to keep them away from predators. We know how most animals guard their eggs or their young until they are old enough to be out on their own, but the larger percentage of snakes don’t do this and leave after laying the eggs or immediately after they hatch. 

 A few types stay with baby snakes for a little while to protect them, but this could be considered an instinct, not memorization. 

Conclusion

Snakes have a particular type of memory primarily based on instinct and positive or negative reinforcement. Snakes don’t form a bond with their owners as some mammals might. 

They associate their owner with not being a danger and providing food. That’s about as far as the relationship goes. Some snake owners may disagree with this statement and are convinced their snakes have a better memory than that. 

Snakes lay their eggs or have their young in a safe area as an instinct, not by memorization. Unlike mammals, snakes typically abandon their babies after laying eggs or after they’ve hatched.