Opinions? Experiences?

[DimetroDork]

I guess there has always been debate on how much skinks/reptiles in general enjoy their owners. In my experience with friends who have owned reptiles, they can be very loving animals. My opinion has always been that it's a little extreme and stereotypical to say that reptiles are devoid of anything like human emotions. I mean, just go on youtube for ten minutes! There are countless videos of reptile companions lovingly laying on their owners like Big Boy, or coming when they're called like MacGyver. Or even Pocho, the enormous crocodile that had a 20+ yr bond with the human who saved him! Or the video that I really love, entitled, "do tegus seek attention".

It probably varies for all of you based on your own experiences, and I'm curious about all of your standpoints on it and why you agree or disagree. I have always thought it depends on the individuals; the reptile itself and the owner.

[rico]

I completely agree with you. There have been multiple cases of reptiles showing what can only be described as affection. People say it's scientifically proven that they can't feel true emotions. This is not true. It is widely believed, not proven. There are a large amount of sites, (including veterinary), that bring a certain doubt to the lack of emotions. Different people have different thoughts on the matter. I however, will continue to believe in a true bond.

[NickBrahz]

Well i think that for the most part they probably aren't the most affectionate little fellows but there are exceptions to the rule and different degrees of affection.

[DimetroDork]

I agree with both of you. Reptiles, more often than not, won't be as affectionate as your dog. But that doesn't mean they don't have feelings or show affection.

[splashy07]

They themselves are the only ones who know. Scientists can say this and that, and all kinds of theories abound out there.
Being a living witness to so many things beyond explanation that reptiles do, I say depending on the type of reptile and the owner's care, love and attention a bond can be created. An ex-boyfriend of mine had an iguana that followed him around the house, and this is gospel. Unfortunately back then there were no smartphones or videocameras to capture this.
He also had a Tegu that seemed to know his name, and walked over to you when you called him. My bluies surprise and amaze me every day, I could go on for hours.

[Richard.C]

i have a a couple of big outdoor cages where the skinks and dragons follow me around to,its nit affection there wanting food,if im not in there but walking past,the water dragons leap up onto the wire sides above the tin and follow u as u go past to

u tube vids have a bad habit of showing fat lethargic animals,latge monitors in patticular which everyone goes on about as being puppy dog tame and so well cared for,oddly these animals with all yhere u tube followers have a tendancy to die not long later

[Richard.C]

peoples perceptions of what there animals are doing or feeling is extremely variable

[jesswebb93]

I personally think that humans can form bonds with reptiles. But I think it depends on the reptile, since some are just naturally more personable. My bearded dragon sleeps in my bed with me every night because he would be restless in his 60 gallon enclosure and would scratch at the glass constantly. He sleeps like a baby on my pillow all night every night and will stay there and wait for me to wake up in the morning.

[SmaugTheBluey]

Scientifically they've proved that reptiles cease cognitive abilities and unnecessary thinking, and primarily have a simple brain stem, which they call the reptilian brain, and that they cannot love something or hate something. but from the source I read that from the tests (brain scans, physical tests) were done years ago and I'm not sure which species they tested it on. Species differ so much so its possible that the test conclusions were too general and that some species may contain an evolving cognitive brain and the ability to love or hate. Another scientist used different methods of testing and found that they do have cognitive abilities because the animals made personal/ biased choices that are unnecessary for survival but once again the test could've been too specific and came out with a general answer. Religiously the answers VARY ALOT, many Native American religions associate reptiles with spirits and demons ect. that hate humans, while other religions associate them as mindless robots that live to eat. IMO I think that reptiles have different personalities and have the ability to act on their own and the ability to enjoy or dislike their owners.

[Scotts1au]

They certainly have the ability to recognize individual people, circumstances (like being fed) and probably a wide variety of things that are difficult for humans to comprehend. They have different habits, social orders, etc and probably some of the traits that we would like to imagine exist with them exist more or less degrees between, families, genera, species and individuals. I had a friend with a very large 9-10 foot carpet python who would bite anyone except the owner, it was a clear demonstration to me of at least some form of trust/acceptance going on. I find that blueys generally are calmer with some people than others - they seem to sense something about people that I can't put my finger on. However I notice that dogs seem to respond in the same way to the same people. mmmmm