30/11/2025
New research says yes... 🤗
For decades, people have dismissed reptiles as emotionless and driven purely by innate instinct. But a growing body of research is showing this view is outdated.
A landmark paper published in a special issue of Animals journal "Welfare of Wild Vertebrates" highlights how reptiles experience emotion-like states in social interactions and contests. Here’s what the science says:
1. Emotions Help Reptiles Make Decisions—Not Just Instinct 🕵️
According to the study, many animals (including reptiles) rely on emotion-like processes to assess threats, risks, and rewards.
“Animals need to be able to integrate information about their environment and their own state to guide behavior in ways that enhance fitness… this is exactly the function of emotions.”
This means your bearded dragon or gecko isn’t just reacting—they are weighing options and feeling something as they do.
2. Reptiles Show Signs of Fear, Motivation, and Persistence 😧
When reptiles engage in contests—like two male lizards displaying dominance—they show behaviors that go beyond simple reflex. They can escalate aggression, back down, or display caution depending on prior experience and internal state.
“Behavioral patterns in contests are likely influenced by underlying affective states such as fear or anger.”
This suggests reptiles experience emotion-like states similar to fear, frustration, and determination during social interactions.
3. Their Behavior Can Change Based on Past Experiences 🌟
One striking finding is that reptiles remember previous outcomes and adjust future behavior—something that requires emotional learning.
“Animals adjust their responses to future challenges on the basis of previous experiences, consistent with emotion-like affective states guiding decisions.”
If your reptile seems shy after a stressful event, it may not be random—it could actually be a learned emotional response! Even more of a reason to take things slowly to avoid stressing out your reptile.
Read the full article here: https://www.zenhabitats.com/blogs/reptile-care-sheets-resources/do-reptiles-have-emotions-new-research-says-yes
