Ask a reptile keeper!

[RosyWindFox]

Hi! Im rosy I keep 9 different reptiles falling under 5 different species and Ive kept more in the past.
Im junior master herpotologist and AZA animal welfare (professional) certified and majoring in Biology.
My 9 reptiles consists of 3 snakes and 6 lizards although Im generally more of a snake person! 4/9 of my reptiles are rescues!

I have a common boa cosntrictor, 2 plains hognose snakes, 3 mourning geckos, 2 crested geckos and a leopard gecko.

Feel free to ask me any question about reptiles in general, specific species, or what its like to keep them as pets. Anything that youre wondering!

[rey skywalker]

I always love asking this question. I do research and have a crap in biology. I love animal welfare.

Do you believe reptiles have emotions and what are your pets personalities? (This is constantly debated in bio and the argument is so weak lol. Mainly cuz they never studied them, and if they did study them, they did it under the wrong conditions).

Also, please share photos if you're comfortable!

I owned a blue tongue skink for a while, and a baby corn snake!

[RosyWindFox]

I always love asking this question. I do research and have a crap in biology. I love animal welfare.

Do you believe reptiles have emotions and what are your pets personalities? (This is constantly debated in bio and the argument is so weak lol. Mainly cuz they never studied them, and if they did study them, they did it under the wrong conditions).

Also, please share photos if you're comfortable!

I owned a blue tongue skink for a while, and a baby corn snake!

Honestly I see both sides of the reptile emotions debate. We know they can feel pain and fear for sure and everything else we dont really know. Reptiles absolutely can form positive associations, bonds, etc. However I do feel that the people who claim that their reptiles 'love' them are speaking with their heart and not their head. From my experience and what Ive seen I dont believe reptiles can experience love. And people who keep them as pets need to be ok with that instead of anthropomorphizing them. They can absolutely form a bond with their keeper based on positive association. Like a fair few large constrictors can recognize their keeper from their voice, how they hold them, etc.

Personally I think complex emotions like sadness, anger, etc are a possibility for reptiles but not very likely. They are absolutely way way more intelligent then we give them credit for though. My boa for instance is incredibly curious and adventurous. I also think that the argument that they dont have emotions so its ok to keep them in a tiny tub with nothing but a water dish is invalid. While they may not have complex emotions they can absolutely experience discomfort and lack of mental and physical stimulation has a negative effect on their health.

As for personalities/temperaments I think there's a bigger genetic component then people assume. Ive heard numerous cases of spicy snakes having spicy babies and calm snakes having calm babies and the same with leopard geckos. However their mental plasticity is also a lot greater then people realize. They can absolutely learn and adapt which I find to be really incredible! Intelligence also varies highly by species. For instance Monitors are a lot more intelligent than crested geckos and scrub pythons are a lot more than rough green snakes.

One of my hognose snakes is fairly calm and good with handling! The other is very reactive and Im working with her to get her used to people. She's a lot younger though. Boa is very friendly and curious he also has a really strong food drive. Both crested geckos are somewhat flighty one moreso than the other. He's a bit wilder he actually bit me once when I moved him.
Mourning geckos are super flighty theyre very much a look dont touch species.
Leo is a very recent addition but she's got a good temperment!

Corns are awesome! Ive held one once and have several friends who keep them. I love blue tongued skinks too! Ive been looking to adopt one to be an animal ambassador since I do presentations for kids!

[rubbertreefrog]

Okay, so, I LOVE herpetology, or anything that has to do with amphibians/reptiles, so this is pretty cool! I got 2 questions:

1. I see a lot of people debate which reptile is the best, so what's your favorite one in general?
2. which one is your favorite one to keep?

[lovepooches]

super cool, love hearing about your scaly friends!

[RosyWindFox]

Okay, so, I LOVE herpetology, or anything that has to do with amphibians/reptiles, so this is pretty cool! I got 2 questions:

1. I see a lot of people debate which reptile is the best, so what's your favorite one in general?
2. which one is your favorite one to keep?

I think for a lot of people into herpetology or reptile keeping you cant pick one favorite and I definetly fall under that! I really adore False Water Cobras though! Im planning to get a tattoo of one someday!

Out of what Ive kept I personally really enjoy my boa Valentino because he has a great personality and Im able to build a proper bond with him.