Reptiles as social creatures

[varanio]

Define social first, as some people seem to disagree on that, leading to further arguements. Reptiles certainly aren't Ivy League, but we either give them too little or too much credit as far as mental capacity. They wouldn't evolve certain behaviors if they don't benefit them in the wild, so it depends on what reptile we are talking about on whether or not being social will help their survival.

Anyone can look up the definition of social, its available in any dictionary and it is going to mean the same thing. So for us to define social is a bit useless because were using it in its most literal context.

Secondly mental capacity has really no corealation as to whether it is social or not. That just shows us problem solving skills, intelligence etc....

Third evolution is just a process of elimination so this will tie in with mental capacity and using that ability inherited by past generations for survival tactics.

Every reptile performs an event that is considered a social interaction, they all mate. But besides that interaction are they considered social animals when there is a congregation for survival purposes or to share a resource is what the underlying question is.

Clearly this is all assumption/opinion, due to noone giving a crap about reptiles to further study these ineractions and classifying them so its up to the hobbyist and groups of interest to come up with their own conclusion.

 

[kafiltafiisch]

like tell me that alligator cant just eat that turtle? idk why it doesnt tho the only one benifiting really is the turt

 

[Vicious_Fish]

Alex you have the honor of owning some of the most intelligent reptiles out there. Any ideas, opinions, experiences you have to share?

 

[varanio]

i think some are but most not.... i mean they have to be to understand signals like head bobbing and things lioke such

wat about turtles and gators like so?

That is a great point, non-verbal communication is a form of socializing. But does that still make these animals social or is it just mere communication to let one of the same species know that territorial disputes will be the first mode of warning before physical interaction solves the quarrel?

The photograph is probably a chance encounter that wont happen on a daily basis, gators regurlarly feed on turtles.

 

[kafiltafiisch]

title of pic "prepareing to zerg" but i actually see lots of pics in books were turts are chillen on gator heads its really weird i just cant fin pics yet on the internet

 

[kafiltafiisch]

maybe the gators just learned to follow turts to carrion and dead stuff so they can steal it

 

[varanio]

Alex you have the honor of owning some of the most intelligent reptiles out there. Any ideas, opinions, experiences you have to share?

Which is why I love varanids so much, out of all the reptilian species I happen to think varanids have the most intelligence out of them all. They have problem solving skills that are superior to other animals.

Most of it has to do with their enhanced sensory skills, the tongue being the most influential. I think then it would be followed by their eye sight and followed by their sense of hearing. Having evolved these skills has helped them solve dilemmas a bearded dragon would not be able to solve just to use an example. They can coax crickets out of a crack in a branch or dig out a roach under leaf litter, these mechanical skills must be enhanced by a superior brain, than that of any other reptile.

I still dont find varanids to be social at all though. They dont hunt in groups, they dont bask together at all times, and they certainly dont all use the same hides.

Do they show social behaviors yes.

 

[varanio]

maybe the gators just learned to follow turts to carrion and dead stuff so they can steal it

title of pic "prepareing to zerg" but i actually see lots of pics in books were turts are chillen on gator heads its really weird i just cant fin pics yet on the internet

It could be that these are well fed gators, given the opportunity to feed during a time of fathom and im sure a turtle will make a tasty treat.

 

[coura]

It could be that these are well fed gators, given the opportunity to feed during a time of fathom and im sure a turtle will make a tasty treat.

They just dont botter trying to cach them at that particular time

 

[andyjs]

I still dont find varanids to be social at all though. They dont hunt in groups, they dont bask together at all times, and they certainly dont all use the same hides.

Do they show social behaviors yes.

I agree. In some like komodo dragons, they "work together" to bring down game and feed "together." This seems to more of an example of they're all trying to bring down the animal and they just happen to go for the same one as it makes it easier. There isn't actual communication and organization among the animals as there is with say lions or wolves...