Reptilian

[Treker]

Thought I would express my amazement of reptiles. In high school I remember taking an animal behavior class, and the little I remember of it, I recall the stark differences between reptiles and mammals- how reptiles are hardwired from birth, and more or less a primitive (albeit extraordinary) creature. Whereas mammals have the adaptability and the cranial abilities to learn from experiences and built upon those experiences, for instance to become scared of humans or to become affectionate with humans. NEVER thought the latter could be possible with reptiles. My bearded dragon last night, who has warmed up to us more and more over our first 3 months together, reached a whole new level last night. When I let Dagobah out of its vivarium to crawl around on the bed, he started to explore as usual, really expecting him like all other times to run away while active.... Before, only when he was ready for bed would he snuggle with us. This time, while exploring he turned around, came up the bed, and actually ran to my face on the bed and then crawled around me and then up to my shoulder where he stayed awake for a few minutes and then went to sleep. Amazing! I am totally surprised and delighted by this behavior from a reptile. He seems not only to have gotten accustomed to my presence but to have accepted my presence and to have built some sort of trust, even affection (or so it would seem) with me. Anyway, I am shocked and have a whole other respect for reptiles now.

 

[Claudiusx]

They are definitely amazing creatures.

-Brandon

 

[Beardednoob]

This is a great topic. There are a lot of people who do not understand how a bearded dragon is. How they could possibly show personality from individual to individual. I know for a fact there is more then simple instinct at play. Each one has their own quirks and distinct behaviors. For instance, I had been bitten by my female when she was scared (same as if you tried to pet a scared cornered cat, lashing out). Afterwards she sat there as I scolded her for a brief few seconds then let her be, she was perched on my chest, clinging to my shirt as I sat on the couch. She then looked up to me, slowly crawled right under my chin and nestled her nose. This was the very first time she ever cuddled with me on her own. I never cuddled her in this manner before. It was her own thought and her own action. Is this remorse? Possibly. :wink:
She now loves to cuddle with me in this fashion. How could someone possibly relate her doing this action on her own to be of instinct.

:mrgreen:

 

[Mirthy]

I know it is amazingly difficult as a human not to humanize the actions of our pets, (probably to the point of why bother worrying about it and just enjoy our pets! ) but I saw something yesterday that I'm a bit boggled to understand. I have a baby beardie. I would guess he's no older that 8 weeks, probably younger. I've had Norris for four of those weeks. I had him out exploring on the bed, which is vast to him. I also have two cats that are restricted from the bedroom but one of them started to make a fuss at the door. Norris ran from the far side of the bed and jumped back onto my hand. This is the second time he's been out that he's gotten startled and ran back to my hand and arm but the first time I was much closer, and I figured I was the closest high ground. My understanding is that Bearded Dragons don't really get much motherly protection in the wild (might even be eaten by them) and are solitary creatures so why the urge to run to me? Do the babies stick together in the wild for protection in numbers? I couldn't find anything to yea or nay that idea? Either way, it made me feel good! I like being the favorite perch!

 

[Treker]

I agree, there's definitely something more than instinct at play. Given I've never owned an alligator, but It'd be shocked if they would seek safety with a human if they ever felt threatened... And I suppose even an alligator does feel threatened at times. Or try to make amends with their owner if they accidentally nipped your foot. I think it goes to show that not every specie should be held to a certain status quo of their biological class or even order. Non scientists like me tend to generalize and make presumptions about all types of animals, and I for one always pigeon-holed reptiles into this primitive hardwired class that lacked the ability to gain knowledge, form bonds, or even be conditioned. Realizing patterns, expecting patterns, and even initiating an action to elicit a response is all within the abilities of a Bearded Dragon. For instance I know when Dagobah is hungry because he jumps off his basking rock and lands always on a smaller rock which I can always hear, and then he runs to the cool side of the cage and waits for me to feed him. The lizard has been conditioned - or I should say I have been conditioned by the sound of the rock. Not to mention I always know when he's hungry by the stare he gives me when he's on the cool side:

WTF, feed me already

 

[Beardednoob]

Ur aw makn ma felin a bit ity dumb. LOL Your a smart fella.
I love that picture of your dragon. :wink: