I have read a few posts on people who talk to their dragons so I'm not the only one. When holding Zalaika, I say her name often and her nickname, in hopes she'll recognize them eventually. I use simple words with her and gently expose her to new experiences. For instance, for her first bath, I did it in a cookie tin with a soft towel in it so it would feel safe and secure and let her climb onto me when she decided she had enough. I never want her to become afraid. I interact with her much like I would with a young infant (under 3 months). Whereas with my cat and dogs, I interact with them more like I would 2-3 year olds (taking into account species differences in learning and social structure).
Based on my knowledge of the brain and a few articles I've read on human children born with only a brain stem, I believe reptiles have the intellectual capacitiy of about a newborn-3-month old human child (can't make exact comparisons across species). I would guess basic emotions but inability to form concepts other than associations. And whether they love I think it all depends on how you define "love." Is it simply enjoying a companion and not liking it when they're not with you, or does it have to involve complex cognition. I believe with beardies, the bond would be more like that of a safe companion/friend rather than a mother/child attachment because beardies don't care for their young, but it's still a very special and strong bond.
I feel a very close connection to my little one already and am a nervous wreck that anything might happen to her, even rushing to buy an almost 100 dollar order of 500 phoenix worms before I realized there were local dealers that charged less. I'm willing to give whatever I have in resources to ensure she grows up healty, even if it means completely draining my bank account and having nothing for extras. I feel rewarded when she feels safe enough to sleep on me and when she looks up at me and watches as I talk to her or show her things. Everyone in my family loves her as we are all animal nuts, but I'm a little extra crazy about her.
Based on my knowledge of the brain and a few articles I've read on human children born with only a brain stem, I believe reptiles have the intellectual capacitiy of about a newborn-3-month old human child (can't make exact comparisons across species). I would guess basic emotions but inability to form concepts other than associations. And whether they love I think it all depends on how you define "love." Is it simply enjoying a companion and not liking it when they're not with you, or does it have to involve complex cognition. I believe with beardies, the bond would be more like that of a safe companion/friend rather than a mother/child attachment because beardies don't care for their young, but it's still a very special and strong bond.
I feel a very close connection to my little one already and am a nervous wreck that anything might happen to her, even rushing to buy an almost 100 dollar order of 500 phoenix worms before I realized there were local dealers that charged less. I'm willing to give whatever I have in resources to ensure she grows up healty, even if it means completely draining my bank account and having nothing for extras. I feel rewarded when she feels safe enough to sleep on me and when she looks up at me and watches as I talk to her or show her things. Everyone in my family loves her as we are all animal nuts, but I'm a little extra crazy about her.
