longqi
Very Well-Known Member
^^^^^ Good point about the structure of a reptiles brain
But can a reptiles brain be measured by our present knowledge of reptiles??
But can a reptiles brain be measured by our present knowledge of reptiles??
Just a thought, how many of the posters on here have actually done any reading on the cognitive abilities of reptiles? Even taken a quick look at the structure of a snake's brain?
^^^^^ Good point about the structure of a reptiles brain
But can a reptiles brain be measured by our present knowledge of reptiles??
I don't see why it couldn't. We understand what parts of the brain are generally responsible for what actions and can see whether the parts required for what some refer to as emotion are existent
You mentioned some studies that had been done earlier on emotion (or otherwise) in reptiles. I'd love to read them (and maybe others would too). Do you have links or titles?
Thanks,
Renenet
I have PMed some to a few members on here before, and I might have posted in previous threads - I'll scan through and have a look.
Otherwise, I'm at work at the moment so will have to take a look through my material when I get home.
I'll PM you and well done for being interested in material other than that posted on internet forums - you seem to be a rarity
It would be interesting (if possible) to put an array of reptiles in an MRI machine, and stimulate them in different ways, food, fear (obviously try to stimulate it in a minimal way, where the animal's not gunna have a heart attack, lol) etc. You could then do the same for various mammals.
It would also be interesting to measure the brain function of reptiles that have been housed together for life, especially ones that are known to enjoy the company of another (I think it's the blue tongue?) in a situation where both are put in an MRI machine, and one was taken away.
I guess it would be hard to measure them without them being still.
Perhaps also interesting to try and read a reptiles brain when that reptile had been treated as part of a human family rather than a reptile that had had little or no human interaction???
Perhaps also interesting to try and read a reptiles brain when that reptile had been treated as part of a human family rather than a reptile that had had little or no human interaction???
Quite true and admittedly, I have not come across any such studies. There are many on captive animals, but the level of human interaction was not often discussed in detail as I recall.
However, as I feel that this behaviour is not possible in snakes, I do not think such studies would yield results different than those already published. A level of familiarity may be observed but in terms of love and attachment, I think it would prove futile.
However, as I feel that this behaviour is not possible in snakes, I do not think such studies would yield results different than those already published.
I think it's naive to discount the possibility of a discovery being made, whether it's likely or not. If we all felt like that, cancer and AIDS would probably be known as the work of demons and impossible to cure, yet we still try.
how would it show emotions such as love etc if it doesnt have the chance to build it with the human interaction?? that is kind of the main way it would show the emotion dont you think?
a reptiles instinct is based on survival if they were to realize you are the key to their survival then they will trust you possibly even attach themselves to you. Do you think this is the "love" or "emotions" people think they are recieving?
Melissa, Do you believe that Reptiles can recognise an individual/keeper.