Do Reptiles Feel Love? Trusting My Life to the SCARIEST Lizard in the World!

Crocodile monitors are the scariest lizards on the planet. They could kill you instantly. But is that what they want? Is this a mindless killing machine, or a thoughtful, loving, intelligent and curious creature with which a person can develop a deep and meaningful bond? Today I'm putting my life on the line to find out.
#clintsreptiles #murderousmay #monitorlizard
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Tom Crutchfield: / tomcrutchfield1
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"Crocodile Monitor BITES are NASTY!" by Kamp Kenan • Crocodile Monitor BITE...
"VS1 Male Varanus Salvadorii" by Tarantula Fan www.flickr.com/photos/1170419...
"KomodoDragon Skull" by Danadi Sutjianto under CC BY 4.0 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ko...
"Varanus salvadorii" by Pavel Zuber www.biolib.cz/en/image/id38099/
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Clint is a professional biologist and educator, but above all, Clint LOVES reptiles and he loves to share that love with everyone he meets. Whether you're lover or a hater of reptiles, you can't help but get excited with Clint!
We post a new video every Saturday morning! So stay tuned!
Be sure to SUBSCRIBE: kzbin.info...
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SUPPORT Clint's Reptiles by shopping AMAZON here: www.amazon.com/shop/clintsrep...
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You guys are so RAD!
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Fan mail? Yes Please!
Clint's Reptiles
770 East Main Street # 127
Lehi, UT 84043
If you would like to send a LIVE animal - FIRST: please send us an email to make sure we can take it in. [e-mail]

[@ClintsReptiles]

Happy Murderous May to you all! This is going to be the most dangerous month in the history of Clint's Reptiles. If you don't already subscribe, now would be a good time 😉

[@Nooneshouldhavethisname]

Can you make a video on dumerils monitor or Cuban rock iguana please and thank you.

[@georgesantos4962]

Why do you consider this the scariest lizard in the world versus the Komodo Dragon?

[@alicecain4851]

I like the concept of murderous May! I watched Tom visit Kenan and change how Kenan was with his 3 croc monitors completely. I wish Tom had gotten there before Lagatha had died because Kenan's entire relationship with her was fear-based. Tom and his family went right into Kenan's enclosure with his male and female croc monitors and had them eating out of his hand in a matter of minutes. It's still an ongoing work for Kenan, but it IS ongoing! I love watching Tom with his big/bad croc monitors and them eating out of his hand and trying to get closer to him. It's so beautiful. I want people to understand that even though you can't watch their expressions change on their faces, reptiles do have emotions. I love watching you with Bubba Chunk! The fearsome Snapping Turtle! Your relationship with him is a miracle to me. Thanks for all you do, Clint.

[@coldcountess]

Crocodile monitors are beautiful !!

[@DJOetken]

10:53 sold! I'll subscribe! Dude knows his daddy 🤘 makes me miss my savannah

[@Tuck-Shop]

When someone who has a snapping turtle sitting on their lap like a puppy says they learned a lot from Tom, you know Tom is a library of knowledge.

[@LilDoNFN]

😂😂😂

[@metroidhunter965]

The turtle was full turtle loaf for a bit. Until he decided he had enough cuddles

[@allyw7405]

‘I Can’t Believe It’s Not A Snapping Turtle!’

[@MrMagoo-hf8yk]

there's ALWAYS gonna be "That one Time" tho, if He Kept on keeping it on His Lap.. day after day just Netflix & Chill" daily with it.. He's end up loosing His 'Meat' one day... am I wrong?...lol.. I could be wrong.. but the odds'll catch up eventually😂 then *SNAP* ..and now His name's 'Sally'🎉

[@Lovell93]

@@MrMagoo-hf8yk Anything can happen if you make a mistake... That's why people like us who keep potentially dangerous animals DON'T make mistakes.

[@TheHellSpawn000]

When i was 7 my uncle gave me a baby water monitor, no one in the family knew what it was so he just kinda kept getting bigger and bigger and bigger. I named him Dino and easily he was my best friend. handled him literally all of my life. Never had a problem with him around other animals or people, by the time he was 20 years old he was 8 feet long, didnt really move the greatest in those days but he was still quite the character. Gave him an ostrich egg once and i was afraid he was going to hurt himself because he was biting it so damn hard his head was vibrating. I tried to take it from him because i was going to crack it, all he ended up doing was running away and hissing at me, then finally he got into the kitchen, twisted his body and just Yeeted the egg into the side of the stove and that cracked it 😂 I loved having Dino around, Can remember when i was 13 i got pneumonia really bad, really high fever, Dino climbed in the bed and literally used me as a heating rock, one thanksgiving just out of curiosity my dad got 8 pound turkey, dino swallowed it. whole. didnt need to feed him for a month 😂 Would love to get another, Dino passed away next to me in bed. I knew he was dying so i just layed there, Told him i loved him, kept laying there, fell asleep and when i woke up he had his eyes closed and i started balling my eyes out, gave him a kiss on the head and took him to the vet for cremation. Still really miss him. My cats and dogs miss him a lot too, they still go into his room where his stuff use to be and just lay there for a bit, its something i really cant get over.

[@neonfox3]

Annnnnd I'm crying. What a beautiful story ❤

[@tianarhastings8372]

Gosh dang it you got me crying! 🥲🥲

[@EllaCaron]

it's the kind of love you expect from dogs but not a reptile, so when it happens it's almost magical

[@azalith8645]

You made me love Dino as well

[@GatorBoyCL]

Those are the things that make me love reptiles,RiP Dino.

[@WilcrezTheWanderer]

That sweet lizard trying to get up on him, ignorant that his claws will shred the human, is hilariously cute and sad. He just wants to cuddle but his body is the ultimate death machine. 😭

[@jendubay3782]

See also: cats 😂💖💖

[@Suit_and_tie_reptile_guy]

The poor lill lizzard is living out the plot to Edward Scissor Hands

[@GCJACK83]

One of my cousins raised a baby skunk once. Her skunk's mother had been hit and killed by a car in front of her house. Instead of just leaving the baby alone to die, she showed pity on it, brought it inside to safety, bottle-fed it, had the glands snipped because she knew there was no way the life she saved could be released back into the wild. That skunk lived for seventeen years and followed her around like a dog. It had the run of her house and passed away in it's sleep from old age and a life well lived.

[@user-vv2pf1sy4m]

skunks make lovely loving pets, never had anyone tell me a baby skunk raised with love was nasty , they're better than people .. we should use the term People instead of Skunk when being derogatory to someone

[@iminthefnzone1515]

Bandaids, scars, and fresh cuts all over his arms, and he just keeps so much love and tolerance for these animals. Crazy.

[@leemasters3592]

I'd suggest a Kevlar jacket for Tom to protect hos skin from Croc monitor hugs but from what I know of florida weather that might be too much.

[@HeartsScales]

Eh, not crazy so much as extremely empathetic and understanding. Bites and scratches are part and parcel of owning animals with claws and teeth. Taking into context the instinctual or accidental nature of such scrapes and wounds it's not crazy at all

[@truthbombs5983]

1 step away from a reptile snack

[@bigriverfishlulling65]

When you own a cat its the same! You love a animal- you take it. Look past it.... let it go. Its nothing....

[@iminthefnzone1515]

@@bigriverfishlulling65 you’re either being sarcastic… or you’re delusional to think the scratches a house cat gives you is evenly remotely the same as a croc monitor. I have nothing but admiration for Tom and how much loves his animals. I just think you’re ignorant. 🤣

[@JMoore68]

Tom Crutchfield is the literal OG when it comes to reptiles. He's forgotten more than most of us will ever know.

[@JMoore68]

@@Macumber773 Did you eat lead paint as a child?

[@someonelikeable616]

​@@JMoore68 I doubt he was old enough to be born in a house with lead paint

[@JMoore68]

@@Macumber773 I'm assuming that you are not familiar with that expression. It means, that he has learned so much about them, that the amount of things he has forgotten (like we all do) is more than most of us will know. It's not so much that he has forgotten so much, more that he has learned so much more than anyone else. To answer your other post, he has kept up with new discovers. Many, he has made himself. I apologize, I thought your original post was you trolling. I understand that it was more not understanding what I was trying to say. So, I'm sorry for that.

[@JMoore68]

@@Macumber773 You too! :)

[@tosehoed123]

@@JMoore68 Love this thread :)

[@pixiecolors]

"I learned what he liked, and what he didn't like....he learned to trust me, and I learned to trust him." Basic instructions for ANY relationship, regardless of species. Too bad more humans don't understand this. Good man.

[@Gloryeast84]

Mankind can learn so much from animal. All animals have emotions

[@Whit-mh9nt]

Good comment. Very wise perception.

[@aprilmeowmeow]

​@@Gloryeast84 yet people still eat them. not me ❤

[@Mindelan1231]

I found Tom's "reptile timelapse" definition to be exactly what I explain to others by saying (about my beardie) "his gears just turn a bit slower than you're used to with mammals." You can tell he's thinking, you can see the "gears turning", but it just takes him a bit longer to come to a conclusion or decision about what he wants to do given his surroundings and circumstances.

[@PullthaleverKronk]

I watched a video about this not long ago, comparing different animals' cognition or their frame rates of perception. It's so cool getting that insight

[@enlight_8360]

I mean think about it. It’s like living in slow motion while everyone else is moving at lightning speed. If you saw a human moving at 3x speed using speedrunning tech, you’d freak out too.

[@desillusionist]

@@PullthaleverKronkany chance you remember that video?

[@p.l.g3190]

I don't care that the crocodile monitor is a gigantic, weaponized, deadly animal whose very name is scary. Seeing that massive creature wanting to crawl up Daddy for loves is adorable! Also, Clint, you wear a lizard well. And kudos to you for learning and applying your new knowledge to grow your relationship with Gus-Gus.

[@minutemansam1214]

There has only been one recorded death from this lizard. I would hardly characterize it as deadly. I'm more deadly than the lizard. And I could probably kill it with my bare hands if I wasn't afraid to lose a finger or two.

[@p.l.g3190]

@@minutemansam1214 Thank you for putting it into perspective with your well-explained, if somewhat chilling, logic and human death tally. I SHOULD know better; when I was young, popular wisdom had it that German shepherds were unsafe and scary. Ours was a big ol' teddy bear and just about the gentlest dog ever. Then it was Dobermans. I wound up being "aggressively" loved by one who would NOT leave my side because he wanted to be petted so much. I have learned it's rarely the animal (with some few exceptions); it's usually the human who did something wrong.

[@imselfaware419]

The two sentences is the most dog-nut sounding thing I have ever read under a reptile video. eugh

[@firegator6853]

yea his behaviour almost reminded me of my dog, with the only difference being that my dog is way more carefree lol

[@vids595]

A more likely assumption is that the animal is curious and exposing for food which is certainly associates with its keeper, rather than anthropomorphizing it with notions of "daddy" and "love".

[@gkrmx3145]

‘A master forever remains a pupil’ what a quote. A truly wise, intelligent and respectful man. The best of mankind.

[@Whit-mh9nt]

If a dangerous animal initiates a friendship with you and persues it, you can learn to trust each other. This happened to me with a Sumatra pit viper that lived in my garden, obviously in Sumatra. Took me a while to accept that he really wanted to be friends. But he was so sincere and careful with me.

[@teejaykaye4357]

Whenever I hear people question if animals like reptiles or fish or insects can feel love towards a human, I just think about stuff like this. A wild animal, becoming accustomed to a person, being shown care and trust and respect, developing enough of a relationship with its human to acknowledge “yes, this is a human I know will care for me, who will give me comfort and calmness and safety” how can that not be love? Even if at its core an animal remains wild, with all its instincts intact - of course that’s love.

[@KaiSub]

I get so emotional when I see a big dangerous animal putting all its trust into a person. There's no way reptiles are as "cold-blooded" as people think they are

[@juliejay5436]

There is a lot of ignorance, also you need to understand that the brain washing done by religious organisations paint reptiles in a bad light - Adam and Eve story, Saint Patricks, etc

[@theflyingdutchguy9870]

i think people should stop linking the phrase cold blooded and warm blooded with how an animal behaves outside of heat regulation all together. also because cold and warm blooded is kind of a wrong concept to begin with. and that the way animals regulate their body temperature says absolutely nothing about how emotional or dangerous they are. it has just always been so weird to me how people sometimes categorize things, even tho it doesnt really fit

[@KaiSub]

@@theflyingdutchguy9870 Yeah, the phrase "cold blooded killer" always rubbed me the wrong way as a reptile lover..

[@dpducks2723]

@@KaiSub in the wild they are cold blooded killers. they kill to live just a fact.

[@birbdad1842]

True. But there's actually no definitive evidence to suggest they have the same kind of "feelings" as us mammals have, because the hormones associated with love and such feelings are different from ours. That doesn't mean they can't familiarize themselves with persons and their immediate environment and that they can't get joy or comfort out of you. It's also not 100% set in stone what emotion actually is and how it's biological mechanisms work in the brain, especially of animals which aren't being studied nearly as much as humans. Still, for the majority of people mammals are easier to read then reptiles and while I disagree with absolute statements, they can sometimes be used in order to remind people that there are definitely important differences to look out for. If you need a good example of how emotional reptiles can be, just think about birds. They're dinosaurs afterall and many species have very intricate social behaviours that are as intricate as that of mammals.

[@ukan1527]

This video hits especially hard for me. I've always believed a lot more goes on in a reptile's head than people give them credit for and I wanted to prove this to myself. Two years ago I got a newborn captive bred horn-nosed viper (Vipera ammodytes) and my goal was to experiment and see if I can get him to be as calm and socialized as a regular pet snake like a ball python or a corn snake would be - little did I know that I was in for the most spectacular experience in my entire life. I had two main reasons for picking a horn-nosed viper to do this with: a) because this is a species I regularly work with in the wild so I am very familiar with their general behavior and have even suffered a couple of bites; and b) I wanted an animal that, while unlikely to kill me, a bite from is still dangerous enough to make anyone with a little sense try to avoid receiving it. My reasoning for this was I wanted to try this experiment with an animal that I needed to put my trust in as much as I wanted it to trust me - that way it would be mutual and much heavier than with a completely harmless animal. So, I got to work with him and I was amazed at how quickly he stopped fearing me and realized I mean him no harm. Soon he was completely calm whenever I had him on the hook but as I was studying more and more of his behavior I started to realize that since he's a mainly terrestrial viper he really hated being on the hook. So, one day I opened his enclosure and put my hand on the edge. He came right up to me, smelled my hand and after a bit of thought willingly climbed on. That was the first time he did that and from then on this was always how I brought him out and he would always choose to get onto my hand rather than get out on his own. Another unique thing I noticed about him was that unlike any of my other snakes he actively sought me out, to the point that whenever I entered the room he would often start pushing on the lid of his enclosure for me to open it and take him out. Every interaction got him to trust me more and me to trust him, and our communication gradually got more and more refined. He never even attempted to bite me, if he was discontent he would let out a single, soft huff and I would know that he wasn't happy with something I was doing. Whenever I took him outside for a bit of sunbathing and exploring I would let him roam freely because he was the only one of my snakes that would, after done exploring, consistently come back to where I was sitting and climb onto me for a nap or to let me know he was done and wanted to go home. I don't know how to describe it, this is the closest I've ever felt to another living creature - I always knew exactly what went through his head and he knew I did and trusted me completely, even to the point he would allow me to massage his venom glands and would willingly position himself in the optimal pose for me to give him chin scratches. All of this hurts incredibly because on the 26th of April this year I unexpectedly lost him to a faulty CHE I had just installed that exploded into his enclosure, setting it on fire with him inside while I was at work. I apologize for the long and poorly unorganized comment, I just wanted to share the absolutely beautiful creature he was. I miss him terribly and this video really reminded me of him, the way Tom understands and trusts his animals is incredibly pure and I have nothing short of utmost respect for him. Thank you for posting this video, Clint! Cheers!

[@mikee5909]

Tragic. that's a really cool story though.

[@bunhelsingslegacy3549]

I'm so sorry for your loss. What an awful way to lose a good friend. Some of them leave such deep impressions on our hearts. Two years ago today I lost the rabbit who trained me that he didn't like being picked up and carried around but would hapily hop into his litterbox to have me carry him around in that, to the point where I'd tell him "get in your box" and he'd hop in and turn around and wait for me to pick it up. And when I was sitting on the floor using my computer, he'd stick his nose under my hand where my trackball was so I'd rub his face instead of messing with the computer. Not a day goes by that I don't miss him. I'm still learning the ins and outs with my current bunny, so very different, and also affectionate but in different ways. I see no reason why snakes and reptiles wouldn't be similar.

[@beatricetreadwell5785]

So sorry for the loss of your buddy.❤️

[@sheenabaharudin]

I read your comment. I started with a smile and ended with tears on my face. I am so sorry for your loss and yet remain in awe of your experience. Thank you for sharing.

[@SatanRomps]

That story took a dark turn quickly. I'm so sorry for your loss.

[@RealJRoyall]

As a man who has learned to never idolize anyone....... Tom Crutchfield is my hero.

[@Blue_Lugia]

As a woman who used to idolize many people during my lifetime, I wish I'd met someone who'd pull me back in earth. Especially during my teens and 20's....

[@naugahyde1014]

Tom is 100% right. I’m a young expert in this field, so I’m still learning a lot about reptiles, but I have noticed that reptiles, varanids and iguanids especially, are shockingly intelligent and emotional animals who I would put on par with corvids as far as cognition goes. They know where their stress and pain come from, they know where their food comes from, and they know who they can trust versus can’t trust. My own lizard, a leopard gecko, was treated as more or less a living decoration for the first three years of her life, but since I’ve had her, going on nine years now, her personality has come out and she’s very much a little diva. It’s charming to see what sort of dispositions reptiles have, because one being head shy doesn’t mean they all will be. Animals are all extremely intelligent, it’s that humans tend to, as would only be natural, have an anthropocentric way of thinking. Break that instinct, and suddenly you have a deep connection with animals as a whole.

[@actionjksn]

Lizards are not on the same intelligence level as corvids don't be ridiculous. I'm sure they are more intelligent than most people think but still. Crows even understand water displacement, and use tools regularly. Tool use is next level intelligence.

[@ominous-omnipresent-they]

I highly doubt they could match the level of cognition observed in ravens and crows.

[@donnypotsmoker]

Try to avoid introducing yourself as a young expert on anything

[@byloyuripka9624]

​@@ominous-omnipresent-theyyeah they are def not as smart as any blackbird

[@alienhazy]

sorry that all these replies are so annoying, you're very right. once you start opening your eyes and mind to different ways of animals viewing the world it completely changes your life!

[@HidekiShinichi]

people tend to forget that bigger dogs can mess you up badly, even if you are big adult man. But when we show them smaller reptile its a huge shriek and fear

[@Immopimmo]

Yeah, and cats too. They'll rip you good if you don't watch their signals, yet they're a super popular pet.

[@devinmccurry5546]

People even keep wolf dog hybrids as pets which is the most unstable 100 pound pet u can have 😅

[@SonofPlonky]

This man is the most wonderful ambassador for humankind. His many bandages are such a powerful image for both his passion and respect for the animals he cares for.

[@jordonpratt2604]

I don’t know about ambassador for human kind, most animal smugglers aren’t considered ambassadors are they??

[@chelmastly5802]

@@jordonpratt2604there are ambassador animals, though! They’re usually used for education on their species

[@jordonpratt2604]

@@chelmastly5802 the comment said noting about an animal

[@chelmastly5802]

@@jordonpratt2604 oh my god my dyslexic ass misread your comment 😅😅😅 I’m sorry bro

[@NoMoreHeroesAnymore1334]

I think I understand COMPLETELY how you took your learning from the monitors and applied it to other boos. I think the cat I've learned the most from is the one I realized was near-blind about a week after I adopted him. Changes like picking him up and putting him down VERY gently and slowly every time, talking to him long before "suddenly" touching him, and leaving "landmarks" unmoved on the floor around for him were practically apocalyptic. They changed him from a cat I thought genuinely hated me into a little snuggly pillow-boop I can scoop and cover in kisses anytime to his great joy, eight-cylinder purring and copious drool. With two black cats, it just seemed easier to treat both as if they were the "super slow careful!" cat rather than mess it up sometime in the dark or early morning and scare the poor nearsighted one, and from there became a natural way to treat all the cats. I now have a small herd of cats (not all of them my own!) that follow me around hoping I'll pick them up. And I'm that one neighbor that people say "My cat doesn't like ANYBODY!" in amazement while they snuggle me relentlessly. Listening to THEM really is the secret, magickal key. For all animals, I think. Listening and RESPECTING THEIR BOUNDARIES. Even my beloved jumpies and mantises seem to somehow "grok" that they can tell me "No!" and that will be fine--and I could swear that they are MORE willing to come be social, not less! And I'm including humans in this "all animals" thing too!

[@graquinn4058]

Absolutely its' the same with humans. With all life, you need to listen, really listen, really watch, really see what they are trying to show you. Most people go their whole entire lives without ever doing that for even other people, not even one single time, much less other animals. But it's what we all need.

[@BinroWasRight]

Absolutely this. Animals pick up on people who ignore them, treat them as things, abuse them...but also those who do not. They often can and will meet us halfway if we show respect, make the effort to learn how they communicate and what is important to them, are consistent and are patient. I love what you said about respecting their boundaries too. That is so important, especially in captivity, but also very much so with wildlife as well. When they feel they are in control and have agency of their own, it does change things, it seems. Anyway, have a great one!

[@OddPoodle]

“We don’t make them do anything.” A very kind man, that is.

[@alexlabelle3049]

I had a nile monitor back before I got married, working up a trusting relationship with him was the most rewarding thing I've ever done as a reptile keeper. These animals have so much to offer if you're willing to offer back the same. Loved watching this, really brought me back to those years with my big baby boy.

[@marseillejoh]

Wait did you rehome them when you married?

[@alexlabelle3049]

@@marseillejoh Yes, I did. My wife is a fellow snake lover but not a fan of lizards. We've been together almost a decade now and we're just now getting to the point where I can have some smaller ones as long as they don't ever leave my office, haha.

[@marseillejoh]

@@alexlabelle3049 liking snakes but not tolerating lizards? That's interesting. In my life it was always people loving both or hating both with no in between.

[@firegator6853]

@@alexlabelle3049 damn i wish the people i know were also reptile lovers like me, i never had any reptile as pet and the only reptiles i come across most of the time are house geckos but i still like these animals a lot

[@camponotusinflatus9920]

@@alexlabelle3049 beta

[@marsfeathers]

Wowow, that last line really brought things together for me for the tree monitor. “Because its not afraid, you’re enriching it too.” What a wonderful way to think of things. When you’re not stressed out all the time new people and situations are engaging and interesting for an animal. I think in every interaction Tom really really exemplifies the intelligence of animals this was an amazing video

[@HeartsScales]

Agreed, absolutely. It is a wonderful perspective and, I could argue, an objective one!

[@tiffanyclark-grove1989]

it is an absolute truism 😊

[@griffhawkins8909]

It's surreal to watch this video again and think about Bubba Chunk. But at least he got to live out his final years in the best way possible, being given great care with a family that absolutely loved him, and having the opportunity to educate so many people about how awesome snapping turtles are. And it's especially poignant when you think about how he easily could've been simply killed as an invasive species - we're all so lucky that Clint was able to get to him in time to prevent that from happening. Rest in peace big guy.

[@lordoftherats8215]

What happened/where can I see the official notice? I can’t seem to find it anywhere

[@griffhawkins8909]

@@lordoftherats8215 his end of the year Livestream, his most recent one. I want to say it was about 35ish minutes in? I can go back and check

[@dougcoombes8497]

It's not just lizards that are capable of emotion and attachment to people. check out the videos of the sharks of Tiger Bay in the Bahamas. There are several divers there that have close relationships with large sharks. One has been friends for 20 years with a massive 15 foot tiger shark he named Emma who will come in on hand command to have her nose rubbed. He has removed 4 hooks from her as well. A woman who calls herself the shark whisperer has removed over 300 hooks from sharks who often come in and lie in her lap when she sits on the bottom.

[@kathybrem880]

No thanks

[@z0mborg8]

At 7:08 it looks like he's got a smiley face on his side hah What a cool animal. You can definitely tell how intelligent it is by how active and curious he is checking everything out. It's like you can see him thinking "You got any snacks? No? How about a hug?"

[@migitri]

I came down into the comments to see if anyone else noticed the smiley face. Such a cute marking!

[@clairethompson5549]

I noticed that too!

[@peggedyourdad9560]

He’s got some hearts too towards the lower back.

[@astick5249]

I noticed that too!

[@roundhouse2616]

@@peggedyourdad9560 Yes I saw those too! So beautiful

[@GoodnessandTruth]

"I think it's very natural when you don't understand the behaviors of an animal to view anything that involves charging, open mouth, as a threat." That's exactly how animals see us. Really changes your perspective.

[@dakotastein9499]

like i always say...its all about empathy...look at it from thier eyes,that will help you understand an animal better and can go along way with enforcing trust.

[@Von_Bernkastel]

Humans a creature that bares its teeth when happy, puts many creatures on edge because the baring of teeth is a threat.

[@Knifegash]

@@Von_Bernkastel When I was raising up the young iguana I got from an irresponsible previous owner, I'd bring him up to my face to get a better look at him, and I noticed that his eyes were fixated on my mouth. I learned to note talk or show my teeth to him because of that, I could tell from the look in his eye that he was very concerned that I was going to try to swallow him up, and thinking about how big and gaping my mouth must look from his tiny perspective made me really respect him and behave myself. It took a while but I can tell he completely understands that I saved his life and am taking care of him. Beautiful creatures.

[@ominous-omnipresent-they]

If anything, it should remind us that we, too, are animals. More precisely, members of the taxonomic family of primates, great apes.

[@Knifegash]

@@ominous-omnipresent-they lmao this dude a monkey

[@WuffieGG]

Tom Crutchfield seems like such a nice guy. You can see how well he understands this massive reptile and even with all those scratches all over his arms he still loves and cares for this big fella. I wish more reptile owners understood these animals like Tom does. Be more like Tom.

[@dymonmein]

1:30 I love how Clint and the turtle are just casually holding hands during the intro lol

[@Razgriz977]

This is why I like keeping reptiles. Gaining their trust and a mutual understanding is really rewarding. They see things differently and by interacting with them I learn to view things differently as well.

[@HeartsScales]

Oh definitely. It can take years to develop a strong, healthy bond with an animal like that, and it's incredibly rewarding and such a unique experience in this world. I feel very lucky to have developed relationships with animals that require you to earn their trust.

[@subninja8069]

@@HeartsScales That's is what I love about Keeping Torts.

[@hamishanderson6738]

And keeping them warm!

[@archangel1152]

Something crazy to me is when I got my newest leopard gecko, after having kept them before, she will completely ignore food to be handled. It’s such a unique experience, she loves being handled, she even “plays” with my niece by peeking over and under an opaque part of her enclosure. Such an amazing little creature

[@cacogenicist]

They are pretty smart little ambush predators. It's funny to see them twitch the end of their tail like a cat, before they pounce on their insect lunch.

[@homiesapien2041]

Mine does the same thing to me peeking over little spots and I’ll move my head and he follows me

[@crystalheart9]

Awwwww, precious little soul.🥰

[@CJWMTownsend]

Awwww💝

[@Infernoraptor]

I'm a bit late to the party, but this stuff has blown my mind. it just makes SO MUCH SENSE! We don't react sensibly when we get near hypothermic, they just do so more gradually and at a warmer temp than we do, so of course they'd be snappy when cold. If an animal can't always react whenever they'd want, of COURSE they'd have that "timelapse" cognition. Thank you for this video!

[@DEATHBYFIRE09]

There is so much intelligence behind those eyes. What a beautiful animal, and a beautiful experience you shared with us!

[@sampagano205]

The better people get at keeping captive reptiles calm the more well learn about their emotional world. Because I'm convinced part of the assumption about reptiles being emotionless comes from them being very flighty and scared, and thus we miss out on a lot of their most interesting behaviors.

[@Alliebutt]

This was really interesting to watch. I've always been a firm believer in the fact that animals as a whole have a far larger capacity to trust and connect with others if given the proper chance to do so, than the vast majority of people give them credit for. Obviously one should always be cautious when handling an animal that can severely hurt or injure you, but it's important to understand that as long as you respect the animal rather than fear it, then the chance of getting hurt while handling them gets lower. It doesn't make you safe mind you, but if you actually pay attention to the animal, and look at the signs its giving you, then more often than not it'll result in no one getting hurt. Almost all animals see humans as a threat to themselves, and what people forget is that 9/10 of those animals that do attack, do so out of self-preservation, and not out of malice and spite. A snake will only bite a person if they've come to associate them with food, or if they feel like they'll get hurt or killed if they don't bite. The most obvious example of this is when venomous snakes deliver dry bites, because that bite is a warning. You've overstayed your welcome, and while it doesn't feel threatened enough to use its valuable venom, it's still a warning to back off. Most animals have warnings like that, and it's only one of many things that a person should respect and look out for rather than fear. When the animal realizes that you're always respecting their limits, trust, or at least the animal equivalent of it, will start to form in the animal. Because now you're no longer a risk to them, and you can even benefit them when bringing food and water to them. Animals are smarter than we give them credit for, and it's freaking sad to see how we're treating our nature and the animals in it.

[@theflyingdutchguy9870]

i am 100% sure other animals are capable of this. the real question is to what extent. i for example do not think reptiles like lizards experience the same kind of love we do with something like a dog. dont think their brains release the same chemical to make them feel love. dont know about it when it comes to mating behavior. if it is actually love or some other thing. but i dont think thats how they do with other species like us. i think it is more like a build trust. they can learn we are not gonna harm them. and realise they do not have to be defensive.

[@Scruffed]

@@theflyingdutchguy9870 Well to paraphrase Lady Gaga, "I don't know what love is", but as someone who has had a dog (RIP), 2 cats and an iguana for 22 years, I know the sort of bond and trust that each of them has with me is very different, but no less a bond. I'd say the iguana trusts me more than one of the cats (not as much as the other cat), and is way pickier with the people she trusts compared to the cats, and way more aggressive with those that she doesn't trust, while my cats just run away and hide when there's people they don't like. She has never bit me in the 22 years I've had her, but each of my nieces and 2 of my female cousins have been bitten at least once. I've even hand-fed her many times, and she's always very careful to not bite, sadly I can't say the same for the cats though they're generally well-behaved. My mother has probably been in the iguana's presence ever since it could fit in the palm of my hand, and has probably fed her as many times as I have, but the iguana has never trusted her, and to this day if the iguana is on my lap and my mother comes close, she will get her tail ready to whip - and no, there have never been any interactions to justify that defensiveness, my mother has always preferred to keep her distance. If the iguana sees me, she will often abandon her basking spot just to come to my lap or climb to my shoulders and rest there. If iguanas have feelings towards people, I'd say her feelings towards me go beyond mere tolerance and trust.

[@BlooCollaGal]

Reptiles have very different brains than mammals, it's really difficult to say "how it feels" to be a lizard. As humans we do enjoy projecting anthropomorphic qualities onto things; we see a behavior and we make up a little story in our head to explain it. Does the Ball Python actually love and trust you or does it just enjoy your body heat? Hard to say for sure

[@Alliebutt]

@@BlooCollaGal I never said they loved and functioned like mammals, let alone humans. All I said that to some extent, they can show some degree of trust and bond. What does that bond look like for them? Who knows. But you wouldn't have animals like the ones in the video if they couldn't. Whether that trust and respect is solely based on them getting food and us not pushing them into situations that make them feel threatened, that's something we likely won't be able to answer anytime soon if ever, but this video proves that some sort of bond can be build.

[@BlooCollaGal]

@@Alliebutt I'm not even saying they DON'T love you, just that the way they experience the world is very different to us.

[@Rui_Vuusen]

People will watch this full almost 30 minute video, listen to everything he says and still comment dumb things like "JUST WAIT TILL ONE DAY THIS THING BREAKS OUT OF ITS CAGE SMASHES YOUR WINDOW AND RIPS OUT YOUR THROAT" I love reptiles, as well as Clint and Tom. I can believe reptiles have some capacity for emotion, maybe not like us, but proof is in the pudding here

[@lordrefrigeratorintercoole288]

I had an iguana as a kid, and yes, reptiles are very complex and loving creatures. Just because they don't waggle their tails or meow at you, it does not mean they dont have feelings. And if you don't have time for them, they get angry at you.

[@JessicaKuligowski]

Years ago, I worked with a number of snakes and one particular Everglades rat snake was introduced to me as “not my favorite snake.” I handled her with a sense of wonder of why no one liked this particular snake rather than fear, and in return, she had a deferent demeanor working with me. It was a truly amazing feeling to work with her. I’m out of the industry now but I do still have a couple of pet turtles, one who shows his trust by swimming right into my hand. Reptiles are truly amazing.

[@AaronHendu]

Turtles can have a particularly strong human bond for a reptile...my one turtle cpuld recognize each member of the family, could recognize her name, and was just full of personality and wanted constant interaction. She figured out she could demand attention by splashing water furiously all over outside her enclosure and making crazy amount of noise lol. It made this wierd air bubble dunking noise and looked hilarious...she muat have thought if she fluttered hard enough maybe she cpuld fly out the enclosure lol

[@AdamHMortimer]

My biggest takeaway from was the word German word umwelt. To see the world through the perspective of the animal. If people could learn to do this we would live in a much better world for humans and animals. Great video Clint!

[@duckyluci]

German here - his description was beautiful but that is not how we use the word or what it means. It's literally "around-world" and is a common term meaning environment or surroundings.

[@equinox1223]

I like the idea of this comment but when applied in principle all you're doing is anthropomorphizing the animal

[@cleanerben9636]

Yeah I remember a German bloke that believed in conservation too.

[@brianl3966]

I absolutely love that for as much as Clint knows about his animals, he is still humble enough to acknowledge and admit that he learned valuable information that he is applying and benefiting from. Truly a great example for how we all should approach new information.

[@robinpowell4398]

Look at his EYES! You can see someone literally looking back at you. Thank you and his owner for showing us this lad!

[@dldarby82]

I think the "emotion" that reptiles feel towards humans is similar to how animals can form symbiotic relationships. Once the reptile realizes that you aren't going to eat them, you become a type of security, because you're big enough to scare away things that might be a threat. Also you sometimes bring food, so now you're: 1. Not a threat 2. Big enough to scare away predators 3. Source of food

[@stephk5797]

4. Warm 5. Gives the good scritches

[@wwondertwin]

Yes, I think that's how animals that aren't explicitly social and cooperative by nature experience relationships with humans. It's a beneficial relationship for them not because of the inherent social aspect they need for wellbeing like for social mammals and birds, but because of the benefits of food, safety, warmth etc. Which is why it's harder for them to forge such relationships with other species than humans, like social mammals and birds can form interspecies relationships even without humans being involved because both understand the mutualistic aspect of the relationship. Lizards can accept the presence of the human in exchange for the benefits they gain but don't really have the drive to offer anything in return.

[@noahthecrazy1632]

@@wwondertwinthey have a few things to offer in return 1: lizard pet 2: lizard cuddle 3: lizard emotional support 4: bragging rights 5: lizard

[@Lieutenant_Dude]

He’s so cute. The constant tongue flicks, the climbing up on the guys. He wants some cuddles.

[@jameswoodard4304]

That time-lapse point is really eye opening. Of course they're going to process things more slowly in lower temperatures! We just don't think about things like that intuitively. That's a great example of having to get into the animal's head and the way it perceives the world. I'm not someone who regularly handles reptiles, but this basic insight is useful for anyone who interacts with any animals at all. Thanks for this learning experience.

[@intangur]

I had a similar sized snapper named Darwin. I had her since she was a fresh hatchling, lost on a hot parking lot after a rainy morning. I spent time with her every day, always letting her hang in my lap, crawl on me etc. I'd even take her to stores like PetSpart, where she would get excited to check out all the people. Easily the friendliest reptile I ever had. I could comfortable take a nap with her out, just to wake up with her snuggled asleep next to me. I always took caution when it came to other people touching her (back half of shell only) though. In the end, she was still a wild animal with quite the chomp if she wanted (she never bit me).

[@huiajkoosmqmkw.kakaoaamama7692]

i believe she definitely love u

[@YochevedDesigns]

Tom Crutchfield is the Epic Legendary GOAT. He's a national treasure, and I really hope that some day he will write a book with all of his collected wisdom. The things he knows don't just apply to reptiles, but are life lessons in themselves and can be applied to just about anything.

[@Thealseie]

Alright, I've heard it too many times and now I'm putting the burden on you to finally explain this to me. Define GOAT. Please. I can't do this anymore

[@johnnywalker8815]

​@@ThealseieIt means the greatest of all time and to this commenter he is

[@oliverrose7796]

Thanks for taking the time with Gusgus to show us that everyone can learn and grow with new information. Yes, lizards are not people and we shouldn't anthropomorphize them, but I'm not convinced that they don't love and care for us in their own way.

[@pattykochenower4222]

I could not get over that you were holding a snapping turtle on your lap just as calm as can be . Then you go with with Tom and those Croc monitors are acting like curious kittens ! Gus Gus is so cute!!! 💩 lol What an awesome video, I LOVE your crew!!! You guys are hilarious!!! Loved it !! ❤❤❤

[@mikalmos369]

The older I get the more time and the more time I spend with animals other than humans, I found it's become harder and harder to define love and makes me question if I ever truly understood it to begin with. It's clear to me Clint that you and Bubba Chunk don't just merely trust each other. You have become friends. Friendship requires love. He was sitting in your lap like a cat and I was just seeing a crocodile monitor wanting to do something very similar. I have of course come in this door a long time ago so this video was no surprise to me except for the fact that whenever I see love anywhere it always amazes me and right now I am overwhelmed with amazement.

[@linda3482]

Just love to see the love and respect Tom has for his animals and the message he is trying to give us. I believe 100% reptiles have emotions and personalities. They are not mindless creatures. Because the bond and "love" they show is maybe different from the way we as humans show it doesn't mean that it is not there. Hope this becomes a more general concept. Keep up the good work in sending this message.

[@teijaflink2226]

So true, it's obvious that this monitor actually wants to be close to his owners, we still have so much more to learn about reptiles and what they're capable of. I think a snake can have a relationship with you too and a want to be close to you. Of course all reptiles are different, maybe some are easier to get close to than others.

[@TaleRavenTarot]

What a cool lizard! You know, dogs could easily kills us, but they've been domesticated for so long and they're so tame now, people will fight you if you try to suggest this. I love my dog, and all my reptiles, and to me it's all about respecting the animal and treating them kindly and understanding them. Thanks for another great video, Clint!

[@Kayther33]

To be fair, a human can kill a dog in a 1 vs 1 if is a trained human. But this lizzard would be almost imposible

[@JubioHDX]

@@Kayther33 a "trained" human COULD beat either, but most average people would lose to both regardless, and even those trained wouldnt have a easy time on either

[@user-kl1ln3gr4b]

A dog is not going to easily kill you 1 on 1, they were domesticated in the first place because we are stronger.

[@goodlordyogurt]

​@@user-kl1ln3gr4bmore intelligent ***

[@MiguelEMG]

@@user-kl1ln3gr4byou should look deeper into how and why dogs became domesticated. Either way, a wild dog can be very dangerous if they’ve grown to distrust humans.

[@soogymoogi]

As an aromantic person I think we focus too hard on whether or not animals feel love in the way we do or not. Even human scientists have varying views of what emotions are and where they come from. Iirc the current view is physiological reaction + mental response. We know for certain most animals experience the first but we can't say for sure what they're feeling! So I think it's really premature to say animals don't feel love.

[@laurafuller8528]

My fearless daughter showed me how affectionate reptiles can be…taming small lizards from the back yard, raising a bearded dragon, and orange striped ground snake. We do not mess around with the venomous ones, tho no question they can be just as friendly.

[@klippschliefer4968]

Even invertebrates like insects or spiders can feel emotions. I think these cute tame jumping spider videos say everything. Another thing i learned during my time of keeping flowerbeetles is that they can feel so bad and lonely, that their lifespan is reduced dramatically. Professional breeders normally keep a pair of them in dark, way to small boxes with no possibility to climb or fly, or meet other beetles than the one they are kept with. In such conditions, they live for at most half a year, and so they think they can only live for this short period of time. But i have a big group of Eudicella Morgani, an african flowerbeetle species,and i have done my best to give them a good live with the possiblility to climb, enough space, light and a great variety of food, and even the oldest female is still able to fly and run around like crazy if she wants to, and she reached the "maximum" of her lifespan! If one of these beetles of the professionals ever reaches this age, they loose their color, and can no longer fly or walk properly (not that they could do it anyway), but my little guys are still shiny and active, so it looks like they could easily reach one year in age, or even more! So if they whouldn have any emotions, all these factors whouldnt affect their lifespan.

[@znail4675]

But then Jumping spiders are extremely intelligent. They are also easier to read then other animals as their brains are wired differently then most other animals in that they do one thing at a time, so you can often see them go through the OODA loops of Observe, Organize, Decide and Act.

[@gothboschincarnate3931]

ive connected to a few spiders and even a plant. Sara has reincarnated again.

[@klippschliefer4968]

yeah, i talked to a cactus last night, and boy, what can they make jokes! you have to do this yourself!

[@DestineXoXo]

I’ve had many jumping spiders at one time, only one left now. But they are so smart! I taught one of mine to jump on my hand! It’s crazy how their personalities come out when you show them you are there to care for them. She would literally sit on my hand while i would play my pc too 🤣

[@gothboschincarnate3931]

@@klippschliefer4968 I've never talked to a plant. but a praying mantis and a lizard communicated once.

[@k.l.manring2083]

I kept a Sav monitor for many years. He'd regularly break out of his enclosure and go to my bedroom then climb in bed, dig under the covers and snuggle up right next to me, almost under me! I KNOW for an undeniable FACT that he loved me! This video is AMAZING and I've cried the whole time watching because I am so moved. This is absolutely beautiful! Bless all of you. All the best and all happiness to both of you and of course all these magnificent animals.

[@Skandranon50]

Though I'll never expect a reptile to experience emotion the same way as a mammal, I do believe they can like you and feel safe with you. I have a bearded dragon and the first time he ever poofed up his beard outside of stretching was at a vet appointment where he had to have the tip of his tail removed (he managed to flip it into his heat lamp when I was away from home and the next day I changed his whole set up so that couldn't happen again) but when they tried to put him back in the box I used as a car seat for him during the drive, he just immediately climbed onto my shoulder instead because he was scared. He also will do this and press up close to my neck if I have him out side and a noise scares him. He trusts me a great deal & I treasure that a lot

[@SonicBoone56]

For one of the most potentially dangerous animals ever, it sure is ADORABLE. You two definitely said stuff I imagined was the case, like treating animals with respect on THEIR terms. But I didn't know that the temperature could affect a reptile's cognitive ability! That's extremely interesting. And research proves animals of all sizes are capable of emotions, they just display it differently than humans do! They're absolutely not just instinctual beasts and nothing more.

[@TheRexisFern]

I've always said, you'll know when an animal wants you to not. If you don't, you find out really quickly. Start with respect and distance, go from there.

[@reptilianviolinist6211]

11:00 literally made me tear up, this is so important to me, that people see this kind of love between reptiles and owners

[@TheBonzobonzo]

What most people consider a cold bloodied killing machine literally smelled and tasted blood on this guy and still decided no this is friend not food! And this is not a hand raised animal, it was collected after being mistreated by people! This is more than most wild mammals could ever do! Shows how incredible and incredibly misunderstood these animals are!

[@clol6049]

they’re incredibly understudied thats why lots of reptile species that were initally “solitary” are being discovered to be way more social…

[@Blue_Lugia]

Clint picking up the monitor even though he's really nervous about it. This man has my respect.

[@user-vz5rs3yj4l]

Yes it relly is

[@paranoiarpincess]

I know people say snakes can't feel love, but I am convinced mine can. He has such a unique little personality and although I don't think he thinks like humans, and I don't think he loves like humans, I think he has his own brand of love. Like he loves rolling little pill bottles around, and empty pringles cans. He loves to steal my cell phone and take it with him. He loves us by trusting us when we carry him and preferring to climb us to fall asleep instead of doing so on the bed. I know he wants a quick nap when he starts trying to get to my neck. He will do a special kind of squeeze pattern when he's about to fall asleep. He loves slithering into my kitty's fluffy tail (we supervise, my cat is nonplussed by him and will sleep when he is around her. They will smell eachother's faces, neither showing any sign of worry or nervousness let alone aggression and the moment either looks anything but completely content, we seperate them. Quietly and calmly though so they don't think the other is the problem but that it's "just time to go over here now". Kitty is declawed and an old girl and this isn't the first snake she's "met" although she was a LOT more interested in my first snake I lost in a breakup.) Sans (snake... BEL Ball Python specifically) also loves being with his people. He shows us he wants out by pressing against his cage, and he has even started getting himself out when I put my arm out for him to go on to. I can only see this as love. Some may think it's just trust, but there's more to it. You may have to be here and know him to see what I mean, but I am convinced snakes can and do feel love. It's just not in the way humans do.

[@Goldendisciple13]

I agree brother! Ball python owner here 🐍

[@paranoiarpincess]

@@Goldendisciple13 lol "sister" but thanks :P

[@catpoke9557]

I believe it depends on your definition of love. Some people define love as caring more about others than yourself, some define it as caring about them at all, but for me personally I define it as happiness gained from just the sight of a person or thing. To me, if you can see something and immediately want to be with it, even without it benefitting your survival, that's love. Even if they only want to be with you because you're warm or you smell good or whatever. It still means they enjoy your presence, and that's enough for me. So by that definition, I do think snakes feel a form of love.

[@paranoiarpincess]

@@catpoke9557 I have a different personal definition for love, but really like yours. It's super innocent and kind. Mine is a lot more trust based. To me love is partially your definition, but with the addition of the trust one has to allow themselves to do such a thing. The trust it takes to (and Sans totally does this) not only let a giant monster put their mouth up to your neck and make weird sucking noises (kisses) but to then to instigate it multiple times afterward. It takes trust to put your mouth right up to a giant maw that sucks the air from right in front of your face, multiple times in a row, then come back to get them to do it again (he gives me sneky kisses and lets me kiss his snoot to the point where he's accidentally stuck his tongue in my mouth... which was weird to say the least lol.) Sure, it could be that he likes the different smells of the things I've eaten from one time to the next, but it's the trust that I'm not going to eat him, and knowing that I will put him right up to my face, despite him having struck at me multiple times when I've opened his enclosure due to feeding response, and not only not hurt him, but trust that he won't hurt me. He has bit my son once (I told him multiple times to give Sans space for a sec when he opens the door and he didn't listen. He was fine though and wasn't hesitating to grab him minutes later.) I think as a quick and not quite indepth enough, but functional way for me to explain how I view love is the combination of enrichment, joy, and trust along with a side of give and take. Including not feeling negatively toward either. Being humble or shy about receiving is fine in this particular description but I more mean like, wanting to help your loved one deal with throwing up just as much as being ok with them seeing you in that situation. You don't think about embarrassment, or who is geting the worse deal than the other, it's just being content with the fact that they want to help while you're so vulnerable as well as being willing to accept your help because they trust you with their own vulnerability. I hope that makes sense.

[@catpoke9557]

@@paranoiarpincess I like your definition of love, too!

[@libbydormouse318]

Ive always love Toms approach to his reptiles, as someone who started in human psych, then was pulled into animal behaviour, have multiple accreditations, im still learning all the time, and love to see this natural behaviour with a keeper so much

[@michaelm6172]

tom crutchfield has some of the most genuine love for his animals ive ever seen.

[@AkiraRyoji]

I'm happy I found your channel out of nowhere. Reptiles are beautiful creatures. Thanks for showing how to show respect for them over fear. That monitor was a true beauty.

[@psicorpant3940]

Monitors in general give me bird of prey feel. Intelligent, alert, and not especially affectionate in the conventional sense. They are raptors without the wings. Few people can bond with hawks and such, same as here. But it can be done, because the intelligence is there.

[@J.A.huscher]

They are also both very beautiful animals in my opinion

[@simondean5227]

They're definitely very comparable to raptors.

[@KylesMonitors]

Monitors are incredible animals and I wish more people were willing to learn about them. I've been keeping a few species for a little over 2 years and I'm still just amazed and amused by them every day. I have 5 ackies that all have wildly different personalities, a pair of green tree monitors that are still very shy but making progress, and my black dragon that took a bit of time and patience, but he's turned out to be amazing. He's now like a dog that gets to come out and roam my house. He's still unsure of most other people, but he trusts me.

[@melissajennings5922]

Thank you Clint for taking the time to listen to Tom. I watched him try to teach Kenan the same thing, but he is stubborn and scared of his croc monitors, which is limiting him and his animals from having the best experience.

[@BinroWasRight]

Clint, I finally saw this and absolutely loved it! Tom being an apparent lizard whisperer while actually talking about the science of animal behavior and reptile cognition, dishing out priceless wisdom, discussing bonding with another species, while you soak it all in. Beautiful. Many animals with well-developed senses and brains - mammals, birds, reptiles, some amphibians, sharks and other cartilaginous fish come to mind, but there are others - don't know our language, but they can absolutely sense our intent through our actions and body language, chemical or electrical signals we put out, displays of emotion such as fear and so forth. Our whole world really is interconnected. And while every species (and in many cases, different members of the same species) sees it differently, so often common ground can be found with time and effort. I've seen it with zoos, aquaria, exotic animal hobbyists and more. And it's a beautiful thing when it happens.

[@karenlee3198]

Clint's serious reflective moment punctuated by *splat* :D Love it

[@neilchace1858]

Theres recently been a lot more research into and acceptance of higher functioning/cognition in herps and birds, whjch is great! For way to long, its been assumed that they can't have as much advanced cognitive function as mammals due to how different their brain structure is. Now theres thankfully been a lot of acceptamce of convergent brain evolution- and that reptiles (and especially birds) can be especially smart even if their cerebrum is very different than the mammal cerebrum.

[@__-hu1ph]

I don't really look around or study that much brain stuff but the fact that people genuinely thought that about birds is pretty stupid considering that you can just own a bird and disprove that by just observing it and interacting with it.

[@neilchace1858]

​@@__-hu1ph absolutely. Especially corvids (ravens, crows, magpies, jays, etc.) are some of the smartest animals out there.

[@catpoke9557]

@@__-hu1ph Yeah. I can kind of get it with other reptiles because of snakes doing things like eating their own tail, but... Birds? Really? I never thought they were dumb. I'm always confused by the fact people thought they were dumb for so long. Nowadays birds are pretty iconic for being incredibly smart creatures. Maybe in the past, before they were as used to people and as efficient at living in our towns, people couldn't observe their behaviors enough to see how smart they are. Maybe it's just easier now since you can go outside and see a crow sledding down a roof with a lid.

[@AndrewsArachnids]

Man Tom is such an awesome dude. Its an honor to be in the same industry as such a caring man.

[@Guardian_Of_Animalia]

Reptile’s definitely feel emotions like love and trust! Just because their brain doesn’t look similar to ours doesn’t mean they can’t! I feel like when someone sees a animal they dislike they dehumanize them and treat them as monsters “Judging a Book by its cover” People fear what they don’t understand. Clint & Crew keep up the good work show people the truth! These animals do have capacity for love! Most people would say it isn’t “Love” and to that I say what do humans perceive as love? Why does your cat sit on you, Is it just because you clean their poop from a box? To me this video is a true portrayal of Love and trust coming from a animal to their human!

[@o0_VanYsH_0o]

Awesome to see Tom again, I'm glad you got to overcome any possible fears with the Crocodile Monitor!!! If there's a chance, what are the odds we could ever see a ranking of the legendary Bushmaster of just how terrible it could be as a pet? Possibly worse than a Cobra? Has to be up there with the Gaboon Viper

[@ClintsReptiles]

I'll see what I can do 😉

[@ExarchGaming]

@@ClintsReptiles Just call Chandler, he's got one you can use ;P

[@HellyeahRook]

@@ExarchGaming I love it when Clint and Chandler get together they have such different energy but are both so equally enthusiastic about reptiles!!!

[@georgea7336]

This was one of the most important and knowledgeable episodes of any reptile show EVER on YT

[@romanhlohowskyj]

His arms and hands look absolutely shredded. Those animals look like they are so difficult to care for and just such a huge sacrifice that someone would have to take

[@FusionDeveloper]

The guy you visited reminded me of how I learned to remove my fear of wasps and hand feed wild wasps now. You pay attention to the behavior of the wild animal and when it shows you it doesn't like something, don't do it. This means, if a wasp is angry and acting offensive or very hyper-active, you should leave it alone, because even if you are able to interact with it, it will be very limited and not worth the time of either of you. Study their behavior, test how they respond to you and understand it. Once you feel you understand how they operate, you can test your luck.

[@furiouskaiser9914]

Ya I learned at a young age that when a bee or wasp comes to check you out, just stay calm let it do its thing, and it eventually flies away. You increase your chances of getting stung trying to swat it away or freaking out, especially if you are near a nest (that you may be potentially unaware of).

[@catpoke9557]

I got stung by a wasp one day and realized it didn't hurt much at all. The next day I found the same wasp that stung me (I could tell it was her because I, unfortunately, broke her leg and antenna when she stung me) and, encouraged by the fact that I now knew stings weren't that bad, I held her. She didn't sting me, even though she probably recognized who I was by my scent and my appearance. I was even wearing the same clothes. She didn't mind me at all and was completely relaxed. From then on I have never been afraid of wasps even when they're flying directly at my face at high speeds. I now know they're just clumsy, and sometimes curious. Respect them, and they respect you. Beautiful animals. I think people will find once they realize they don't fly at you out of aggression, but rather curiosity, that encounters with them can actually be quite uplifting.

[@actionjksn]

I have pet murder hornets and they love to give kisses and cuddles and sometimes when they get in a certain mood they like to wrestle and roughhouse with me. I always try to wrestle gently with them so I don't hurt them. They just get so rambunctious it's very cute. They really get a kick out of it when I take them to the local beehives when the beekeeper's not around. He gets really irritated about it, but my hornets have a blast.

[@gildedbear5355]

This is probably just my brain that's used to mammals, but that slow eye close by Gus Gus as you were petting him just read as, "oh yeah, I like this...." to me. Looked like a very happy lizard.

[@Vicus_of_Utrecht]

Then he pooped

[@chrisjones6496]

Whilst ALL of the episodes Clint puts out are excellent… this one really made me smile both on the inside and outside. I felt a calmness watching Toms interaction with the Crocodile Monitor that I’ve never felt before. The lizard handled him and not the other way around and it’s definitely given me a new perspective on all reptiles actually. The ONLY time I’ve ever been bitten by one of my snakes is because it was feeding time and I was careless or smelled like prey obviously. All animals need to be respected and ones that can do severe damage or kill you even more so. But I got a Zen like feeling from Tom and his interactions and it has honestly changed my whole perspective on Reptiles in general. I’ve been keeping all kinds of animals since I was 6 or 7 (with parental oversight to make sure everyone was taken care of properly) but honestly this really touched a special chord in me. Thanks Tom for sharing your infinite experience and wisdom and thank you Clint for as allows providing the best knowledge on YT. Stay safe and all the best to everyone reading this. Peace and all the best from Toronto, 🇨🇦

[@chasemcintyre3528]

AAAAAaaaaaaaaa, Bubba Chunk is amazing and I love him, it;s truly so touching to see how you two trust each other

[@kenmorris2290]

I used to keep reptiles many years ago, but I always recognized that they had emotions and could learn to recognize and trust specific people. Now I have horses and it's really not all that different. I came to the conclusion is that "love" (bonding) with horses is not possible without mutual trust and respect, which is built over time. It seems to be the same with these intelligent lizards. Maybe in the end, that's what love between friends really is.

[@bunhelsingslegacy3549]

I worked with and trained horses for decades. Now I have a rabbit. Who is just a tiny funny looking fluffy pony who gets turnout in my living room. As prey animals, they have a lot of very similar reactions, facial expressions and body language, if you can just learn to read it. I applied a lot of techniques I used training pet rats as a kid to my own pony as a teenager and young adult, and turns out it works on rabbits too, I've had three different rabbits trained to recall. I haven't worked with reptiles but I think we can probably all learn something from any kind of critter encounter.

[@Vaeridione]

He is absolutely adorable and I love his happy face!! When I try to explain to people that reptiles bond to their people and express emotions, it is so hard to get others to believe me!! I am so excited about this video and being able to show it to people!!

[@splatninja9447]

Yes! I forgot exactly what you said. But it was about putting yourself in a position to be harmed. When I started volunteering at my local reptile rescue, one of the first things I was taught, if I got bit, it was my fault, period. The animal is defending itself, whether you're actually harming it or not. When that kind of responsibility is placed squarely on your shoulders it does something to your work ethic, boosts it like you would not believe. Also, one of my favorite memories of that time was the tortoise enclosure. Not little guys either, the big fellers, I forget their species. But they're roughly 3 feet in diameter, bout 2 or 3 feet tall, and about 4 feet long. Anyway, the rescue had five of them, the way we'd feed them is bunched of food in a little trough and scattered throughout the enclosure to promote mobility, well about once a week I'd take my lunch with the tortoises. I'd sit there eating my food with these huge reptiles are crunching their way around me. Learned quickly to omit fruits and vegetables from those lunch days. Last thing, sorry, I love reptiles and when I worked with them. There was a pair of savannah monitors there. One got out, it took three big guys just to slow it down, not stop it, that wasn't happening, but eventually they got him back into his pen with eggs of all things

[@NecroIris]

Awww that lizard is such a sweetie its one of those reptiles along with tegus I've always wanted but unforunately I know I don't have the time, money, or space to care for them. So I get my fill from videos like these

[@magpie-7898]

Love the mention of 'reptile timelapse'. 'Buffering' I like to call it with my blue-tongue skink. I have seen him fail to grab a piece of food he couldn't quite see because it was right in front of his nose, pause for a moment, then turn his head one way to look at it with one eye, turn his head the other way for a new angle with other eye, think for a moment again and then nail the food on second try. They might not be as quick witted as a cat or dog, but their thinking happening on a different time scale makes it more obvious it's happening if anything.

[@pathfinderwellcare]

This elder is a living library. I hope he has apprentices. This is the knowledge and information we need to keep and cherish. ❤

[@deathfoe8016]

Near that 10 mark where the monitor tries to get close to show affection Ommgggg I'm going to die! It's so cute

[@hoagsmash4188]

2 friggin awesome things: 1) Gus-Gus. As always 😍 2) That Croc Monitor tryin to crawl up Tom for some love. That was friggin adorable 🥰

[@redhotdevilwoman03]

The surprise near the end of this video... bless you Clint, for the best reaction to it. You are a true animal lover and it warms my heart watching you interact with the animals of this world. Keep up the good work. We Canadians love you 😊

[@the_primal_instinct]

So much for trusting the animal 😁

[@bigriverfishlulling65]

My Snapping Turtle Sleeps in our beds because that's what's she wants to do. We live in her world. So she has all kinds of tanks, but she don't want her tanks she loves to just be with us people. 3 years old and she just loves us and hates being separated from us. Not all snapping turtles are this way! But my girl is a emotional support friend.

[@sokahthehusky8614]

I absolutely love hearing elders talk about thier animals. Some people are so good with animals and have taken the time to learn and understand them over a long time. This video was amazing. Thank you for sharing!

[@marcellacruser951]

Bubba Chunk is your one animal that's surprised me. The only snappers I've had contact with were surly at best. But when Chunk turns his head on to your hand for contact and asks for affection, it obvious that's what he's asking for. That gives me a squishy heart.🥰

[@vanburnburn]

If we had a Mt Rushmore for reptile legends, Tom would certainly be up there. I've learned more valuable information on how to earn trust from your reptiles by watching him and Kevin McCurley from NERD. Two of the most brilliant individuals when it comes to reptile cognizance.

[@vanburnburn]

I'd also like to point out that a truly bad person, is someone who does something bad and refuses to change or take responsibility for those bad actions. We are constantly learning and trying to improve ourselves. Help people change their thinking instead of making them pariahs.

[@AmandaPaige71]

Agreed 💯

[@rod9527]

what a beautiful big boy, and Tom is such a master, you can see the love and respect he has towards his animals

[@KingusDingus]

I love this guy. You can tell he's one of those guys that's learned what he knows through experience. He's made the mistakes and learned from them. He's absorbed all the information he's telling us about naturally. I could follow this guy around for days and just listen to him talk about stuff.

[@criticalhitz481]

Absolutely gorgeous Croc Monitor! The way they're so curious and aware of what's going on around them, shows how intelligent they are. Beautiful reptile and well respected!

[@FatherKenobie]

I think Gusgus has a new favorite hobby when on camera! 😂

[@marcellacruser951]

The look on Clint's face!

[@corpsenymph4644]

It’s real cool to see that the most important things for human relationships, three being mutual respect, boundaries and communication, do apply to relationships with animals we’d expect to never even be close to.

[@ivyjoe6951]

omg this turtle looks so soft and chubby love it. what i love the most about this video tho is seeing the respect and space you guys both gives to those animals. i feel like too many people tries so hard to prove their pets are nice by making them do things in their terms instead of the animal terms itself. we easily see how you are rewarded by getting your pets always wanting to get back to you in their own accords, truly beautiful to see. the poor monitor is thinking: pops why don t you let me cuddle !? lol those claws are very impressive.🥰🐊🐢💕

[@sjzara]

The lizard is beautiful in many ways. This reminds me of the bad views of sharks - they aren’t emotionless killing machines. They can be very dangerous to us , but that’s not their default. They are curious and intelligent.