Do snakes feel pain?

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It is believed that snakes feel a kind of pain, but not the same kind of pain that humans would feel. PETA, for example, describe snakes as being able to stay conscious and even feel body sensations for a long time after they have been decapitated, and this is because of their slow metabolism. We are led by the belief that snakes, and many other cold-blooded animals, do not feel pain because they display a lack of response when other animals most definitely would have responded. Sadly, we know that snakes DO react to be stepped on, thus leading us to believe that the creature does experience pain in some way. if you have ever accidentally stepped on a snake in the wild, you would see the snake react negatively, often snapping back. This is similar to a human reaction — shouting out, perhaps even lashing out, definitely saying a few choice words. The two scenarios are similar. It could be that the snake feels pain much the same way that humans do.



We actually don't have the greatest understanding of how cold-blooded animals, such as snakes, react to pain. Our investigations into how animals feel and experience various feelings or emotions and even physical sensations have only intensified over the last few decades. What we do know, however, is that many animals, snakes included, react similarly to humans in pain-inducing situations, which we think pretty much speaks for itself.



For more information, you may want to click on one of these guides that I wrote:
How much does snake removal cost? - get the lowdown on prices.
How to get rid of snakes - my main snake removal info guide.
Example snake trapping photographs - get do-it-yourself ideas.
Snake job blog - learn from great examples of snake jobs I've done.