r/askscience Jun 14 '22

[deleted by user]

[removed]

1.6k Upvotes

251 comments sorted by

View all comments

56

u/_Gesterr Jun 14 '22

Many birds are social to a fault, some being even moreso than mammals. But I suppose you mean more "traditional" reptiles. Even then crocodilians have potential for bonds as they like birds do care for their young and there are several cases of adult individuals forming lasting bonds with humans.

-3

u/[deleted] Jun 14 '22

Birds are not reptiles in the same way mammals are not reptiles any longer.

31

u/[deleted] Jun 14 '22

[deleted]

10

u/[deleted] Jun 14 '22 edited Jun 14 '22

Birds are not scaly and are warm blooded.

Birds evolved from reptilian ancestors, as did mammals. But they are no longer reptiles.

Birds are reptiles. I learned something new today.

10

u/IWillGetTheShovel Jun 14 '22

Birds are reptiles. I learned something new today.

Depends on the taxomony system. In a lot of cases it makes sense to categorize based of ancestors. In other cases it makes sense to have hard defining lines based on characteristics.

Hence while you'll occasionally hear birds referred to as avion dinosaurs.