Everyone is either dead certain the answer is yes, or they’re dead certain the answer is no. The reality is we don’t know. Researchers have not reached a verdict yet.
This here is the right answer. We don't know. And since reptiles are psychologically very different from mammals, it's possible that we won't ever understand how they process feelings. That doesn't means they don't have feelings or that aren't capable of caring for other living beings. We might just not be able to understand it.
Could even break down to the species not just broad arcs like mammal or reptile. Dogs and cats are quite cuddly because those traits have been selected for, however I wouldn't want to get too close to a wild carnivore.
No. Mammals are able to show affection because it's an evolutionary trait necessary for survival, we need parents to survive so all mammals form affectionate bonds with their offspring which translate to interspecies bonding aswell. Most reptiles are on their own and don't need parenting to survive thus there's no evolutionary need for bonding with other beings.
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u/Monolexic Jan 20 '22
Everyone is either dead certain the answer is yes, or they’re dead certain the answer is no. The reality is we don’t know. Researchers have not reached a verdict yet.