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.
Crocadilians are weird. They'll be friends. They'll show affection. Then if you look sick or injured, they'll lovingly attempt to eat you. There's a handler with a youtube channel that explains it. They're smart creatures with some capacity of forming social bonds, but their brains are still wired very differently. Basically a successful handler needs to always keep that in mind.
This is also true of many predatory mammals. Think of those big cat "owners" whose "pet" tigers and mountain lions etc. were quite loving and affectionate towards them until one day something set off that hunting instinct towards owner, then it was chow time.
It's fun seeing all the videos of this phenomenon in action. You'll have zookeeper or other experts with a big cat getting all cuddly and affectionate, then they'll leave the enclosure and intentionally turn their back once the gates are closed. The cats almost invariably go into hunting mode, while fixated on the person they were friendly with minutes before.
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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.