5 gal. tank?

[RedSidedSPR]

Have you ever thought that the reason it was on top of the said plant after eating, was it was a better temperature gradient for digesting its meal? No, clearly the snake wasn't adjusting itself for proper temps to digest, it was clearly out playing and wanting to interact. Also, the snake isn't "begging" to be picked up, the temperatures etc in his cage are not correct for his immediate needs and he wants out, to find somewhere that is correct.
They do not need exercise, they get enough of that when eating/drinking or moving to a new area of the enclosure for proper temps, and he certainly isn't exploring because it seems like a fun idea. Again, it would would be a genetic impossibility, as these animals have no real defense from predators, and would be wiped out.

The left side of his tank is room temperature. The right is heated. The tree is on the LEFT side. If he is perfectly content, (which he usually is) why would he be wanting out if the left side is the same as outside?
Another thing I'll throw at you and hope you have a good answer, is:
When I put new objects in his tank, he goes and checks them out. One time I was trying to put him in a separate container while I cleaned his cage, (this was when he still feared me recently after I caught him) and I didn't want to pick him up. So I put the container in the cage in front of his hide, KNOWING his CURIOSITY, would get the better of him, and it did. He immediately went into the container checking it out.

How does a garter stay fit if he never moves?

I'd really love to see some sort of video proof of a snake having some sort of higher thinking and brain power. I hate to say it but recognizing the water dish as water is not exactly higher thinking. Neither is "he knows when it's food time". Why is this you ask? In nature they know to associate certain things with certain results, in captivity it really is absolutely no different. When you open the door, you change the atmosphere, wind, temps, humidity etc and the snake can tell these things. At some point they realize that this = food. That doesn't mean he's thought about it, problem solved, and came to a conclusion.

some of that is true, but that dosn't prove anything against them having feelings.

Anger? Please do define "anger" in a reptile? All reactions including a snake puffing/hissing/biting/musking are programmed self protection methods that are followed by instinct. If you want to use the term fear for it, go ahead, however I believe the snake is already programmed to do certain things in response to certain stimuli.

I'll agree with you there, it's more self-defense and fear than anger, but that dosn't prove anything against them having other emotions. Very few animals feel anger, even the extremely intelligent ones.

No, I feed my snakes every 5-7 days in appropriate size meals. However, I keep them in tubs/bins and not on display, the displays are all of my monitors, which I've found more interesting. Also, it's not a matter of not liking snakes, or liking healthy snakes. I don't enjoy the keeping of snakes on the same level as some people. I love and appreciate reptiles, I enjoy catching snakes and rearing them in my home. However, over 15 years I've observed how a healthy snake behaves, and they just don't make awesome display animals that are tons of fun for me. Some people really enjoy snakes, some of us like them, and keep them, but certainly aren't dedicating our lives to them or proposing they have any human characteristics.

How can you enjoy them moving around when they do, if they're in tubs? If they're in plastic container (do they even have light?), why would they move around? There is nothing there but bedding, a hide, and a water bowl. But if you put lots of objects in his tank he'll be exploring a lot more. Try it.

You like garter snakes because they are diurnal foragers. Not because they are dynamic. They are peering out in the middle of the day to see if it's a safe time to search for food, if safe, they will actively hunt. Most large snakes- boas/pythons etc, are nocturnal, and have no reason to be out and about, also their thicker/heavier bodies expend much more energy so "cruising around" isn't exactly a viable option for them.

Corn snakes are diurnal. But they don't move around (explore) half as much as garters. They sit there in their hide waiting until you hand them food. Often the same size as garters. (big female ones at least). But garters are a lot more active. My snake was sitting on my bed the other day. I set my iPod a foot away from him and went and got my headphones. I came back 15seconds later and he was checking out my iPod. Not temperature difference, no food involved, nothing but the need to check out that random object. Curiosity. Is that an emotion? Cause they have it. They are VERY curious.