Re: To FLAVIA on the previous topic. Others welcome to comment :

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Iguana Forum ]

Posted by chikkensht on September 15, 2002 at 15:27:38:

In Reply to: To FLAVIA on the previous topic. Others welcome to comment : posted by IGUANA JOE on September 15, 2002 at 12:41:30:

WEll, since we as humans barely know what our brain is capable of, I doubt if we can say what a reptile's brain is capable of. I think whatever part of a brain, whether human or other, that contains personality and rational thought would be able to discern instinct from a "learned" behavior. I say learned because that's all personality really is. I can understand that reptiles do not "love" like we do. Love to them is having a hot branch, beautiful mates, and being able to show off who is more macho! However, I have seen and heard about reptiles who seek their owners out, or go to their human slave to scrath an itch as posted below, give them food or water by means of signals(shows intelligence and a learned behavior-part of its personality), and so on. Love to them is not an obsession as it is to humans, but it can be seen in their thoughts and actions, and with that, their personality. Just my dollar...Not tryin top rack on anyone or start a flame war!! later guys!
oh yea, ive seen my snakes seek each other out too. No, i dont think it is becasue they both prefer the same hiding places, they have been together since they were hatchlings...just look at this pic. They were fast asleep and didnt even notice the camera flash...
""

:Dear Flavia, you are mixing up again the difference between natural instincts, preserving the specie and genes, and "true love".

:Crocodilians behave similarly.

:Some lizards may show some caring, but it is
:"biologically impossible" for reptlies to truly love since that part of their brain to trigger it does not even exist!

:There may be exceptions, but the norm usually is so. There can be care for the next of kin, for the benefit of the specie and genes/offspring.

:If u are interested on th subject, visit the Skinks forum, and ask about corucia zebrata's, aka Solomon Skinks. These skinks are the best example of the exception, since they seem to really need one another, and babies need their mother for at least the first year of life (or something like that). They are born live too, which makes them even more fascinating.

:Let's leave it at that. ;-)
:Best regards,

:I J

Follow Ups:

Re: Actually the root of this discussion has a name,...: Merlin 09/15/02 (2)
- But they do have personality other than instinct.... xta 09/15/02 (1)
  - Re: I agree completely.... Merlin 09/16/02 (0)
Very nice reply indeed........................but........... IGUANA JOE 09/15/02 (3)
- Re: Very nice reply indeed........................but........... Kate 09/15/02 (0)
- I CAN AGREE ON THAT! THANX FOR THE LIFT!! chikkensht 09/15/02 (0)
- Re: Very nice reply indeed........................but........... Craig Loose 09/15/02 (0)