Does Casper love you??

[@JonesCrimson]

One of the only animal caretakers who tells it like it is instead of cashing in on misplaced empathy.

[@somedude5333]

@@chosen1826 okay furry

[@LegendaryArchiver]

My croc loves me tho he's different! #Lmao

[@jjasper7512]

Yep, encouraging that he is under no illusion as to how dangerous it is to be with them, a healthy respect for an apex predator

[@TheProphetLot]

​@@LegendaryArchiverHe doesnt deep down.

[@gabrieltiso8537]

Legend has it Casper still doesn't love you to this very day

[@jamesmansfield9276]

😂😂😂💀💀💀

[@mclovin7505]

Lol. Fuckin 15 min video about how Casper doesn’t love him. Could have just made it 3 tops.

[@kreeperkiller3223]

@@mclovin7505 He's one of the only herpetologists trying to stress extremely important points like this. He has to say it so often for a reason.

[@Allanfan20]

@@kreeperkiller3223yeah. Some people have no choice but to shout it from the top of the mountain over and over again because the people he is trying to reach are that loony.

[@professorwolverinebeardsan470]

"if you're one of those disney brainwashed people, you're going to die" 🤣 Glad you're keeping it real

[@spankthemonkey3437]

If you can ride a cheata you can ride a gator😃

[@Rodemu]

@@spankthemonkey3437 Except most people would prob beat a cheetah to death or slam it to death. Good luck trying that against big alligators.

[@spankthemonkey3437]

@@Rodemu Harold and Kumar rode a cheetah I'm pretty sure Gators are possible 🤷

[@fmills1583]

An animal that is "Trained" is the result of effort over weeks and months. When an animal is "Tamed" it is the result of breeding over generations. Learned that from one of Chris' other videos.

[@notnull5878]

That's not what it means. You can totally tame animals over a single generation, people have been doing it with wild horses for probably close to 6 millennia. When it comes to horses, it's called breaking, as in you break a horse. The term you refer to is domestication. Domestication takes generations, taming, usually does not. It can, for animals with VERY short lifecycles, but it doesn't have to.

[@cheeks7050]

Tamed is 1 life. Domestication is generations.

[@fmills1583]

@@cheeks7050 Damn, Chris lied to me!

[@mikefamm5712]

@@notnull5878​​⁠I think it’s a more specific principle of animals that are social in nature. Im an Applied Behavior Analysis student and I’d say that you can train all animals- conditioned responses and such (Pavlov’s dogs for example), but you can only tame social animals, and you can only domesticate tame-able animals over many generations. Dogs are born with a natural inclination to recognize humans because of those generations of breeding. You can teach a wild horse to work with you because they’re inclined to work with their own kind, whereas alligators are solo animals that are vulnerable to conditioning, but that’s like all animals.

[@arthurmvandrade]

​@@notnull5878 Honey, there is no such a thing as "wild horses". Horses was one of the first species humans domesticated.. There is only one species of horses that still wild, the Przewalski, which is a mongolian horse. Every other horse descends of a domestic species, which it means they are inclined to work with humans. In biology, it's called feral, which is an animal that is domesticated but has been released back on nature. They still carries the domestic behaviors, that's why you can "tame" a "wild" horse.

[@tamikasimmons8307]

Thank you for explaining in detail the difference between trained and tamed.

[@GatorChris_]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jakhaughton1800]

Caspar is trained to the level he wants. He’s a wild animal who has a bond with a human.

[@LordyT34]

He more has a symbiotic relationship with him

[@tomatodamashi]

not a bond. a certain level of respect, and mutual understanding, also Chris is careful not to make himself appear or act in a way that would change Casper's view of him

[@veruckthund2010]

Much respect to you being completely honest and transparent, bro.

[@Hadtoo]

Nice to finally see someone talk about how animals are animals

[@hotties3v3n]

right, lol

[@hatemongerofthetoxicbrood6561]

It is more like how reptiles are reptiles. Reptiles are not social creatures, they do not bond, they do not care, they cannot comprehend "emotion", Crocs and Reptiles do not "love" eachother or bond in any capacity, Crocs at best tolerate eachother, and majority of time they want to kill eachother. Casper does not love him, Casper tolerates him.

[@hackman669]

There is a fine line between man and animal. I don't know where that line is! 😃

[@Hadtoo]

@@hackman669 it’s really not that fine. Go spend sometime with them. Sit and watch both people and animal. You will see the line soon enough. Specially if you are realistic trying to study the animal. If you don’t figure it out fast enough you will be bitten, stomped, mauled, or dead. Its not a matter if those things will happen to you. It’s a matter of when and how bad. If you deal with the animal like they can do any of those things at anytime no matter how much you love them you can have your percentage drop down to 1%. That is only if you realize that animals live in the moment for the most part and they are looking for what they need to do to get what they want.

[@hollywont9447]

Your awareness is refreshing. I’ve seen others who swear they have a special bond with wild animals (Grizzly Man), and it didn’t always work out the way they planned.

[@hotties3v3n]

That dude was nuts.

[@clairdelunefan]

Roy Horn of Siegfried & Roy is another. Roy thought he was "special" too and believed he had magical connections to all his big cats. Oy! 🐅

[@leudast1215]

He did have something special; But history shows he ultimately lost respect for the animals he shared his space with sadly for him and his significant other. @@hotties3v3n

[@rindrr]

SO happy you are letting people know, wild animals are WILD they will never love us and that's okay! you're doing such a great job :)

[@TranNguyen-sw7wu]

I'm still not that convinced though. He's very experienced with alligators, but wild animals are just much wider than alligators and their cousins. Mammals are complete difference from reptiles. Can a cheetah loves you? How can I take Chris's opinions and anecdotes, even his experiences, to get close to an answer for that question?

[@rindrr]

@@TranNguyen-sw7wu I think some of it requires logic, yes his specific field is reptiles so he would only know more about them than someone who solely was mammal based, but most people have been told NOT to go up to animals because life isn't a magical fantasy and they will attack you. I'm happy he's finally telling people "enough dammit you can't own wild animals because you think you're a Disney princess" (not his exact words of course but it still stands). I just think his reasoning for why Casper not loving him made sense ^w^

[@victorkayna8128]

Love the fact that Casper just stand’s still while he was explaining hes behaviour

[@victorkayna8128]

It’s like he’s trained to be a cool youtuber

[@mustangsupersnake7848]

This man has skills and talent. He also is keeping it very real as this awareness has allowed him to live and tell. Do not try this at home folks.

[@Casperthegator]

Even though Casper is not a tamed animal, that doesn't mean he's just so cute when he's so calm. I definitely don't want to see his bad side if he attacks.

[@Valconize]

He's trained. Not cute.

[@Casperthegator]

@@Valconize still doesn't mean he can't be cute for a Gator. Not all gators are killers.

[@horenzodipartendo8225]

Dinosaurs are not cute.

[@hammermark6325]

​@@Casperthegator the man in video half an hour talked about that all gators are predators and killers and no need to treat them as a pet 😂😂

[@JokersVsZombies]

​@@Valconizehe's still cute

[@Cold-Blooded-Jay]

It's not love. Most animals are incapable of love. I would call it a mutual trust created over many positive and neutral interactions. It's a strong bond for sure, and from what I can tell, you've earned it. Yes, I know the bond isn't perfect, and neither of you knows what the other will do at all times. Just one of those beautiful quirks of nature.

[@Holy_Athletics]

Perfectly Said. This INCLUDES DOGS!

[@thepikarivera7706]

​@@Holy_Athletics dogs do love us, just not the same way a human would. It's a different type of bond.

[@vertigoz]

What is love, by that logic how many humans do you think feel love?

[@Cold-Blooded-Jay]

@@vertigoz I would describe love as emotional closeness. A feeling that your lives are so intertwined that you would feel intense emotional pain if you were to lose them. Exactly how many people feel this is something I have little knowledge of so I won't pretend to know the answer.

[@vertigoz]

@@Cold-Blooded-Jay Would you say words are needed to feel love?

[@fmills1583]

In gator world when they watch TV, they watch shows like "Everybody Respects Raymond" and reruns of "I Respect Lucy".

[@Ford_prefect_42]

This is the first of your videos I've ever seen and I have to say I love it! Thank you... as much as we love animals, they're still wild beings with instincts to live. I appreciate you

[@Artak091]

Glad you covered this topic. This also applies to "tame" animals as well. These stories you hear about people with big dogs like pitbulls attacking people, it's because the owner doesn't know how to handle the dog properly.

[@brittaneyg479]

This girl I used to be friends with had her Pitbull from when he was 8 weeks old, at 5 years old he got mad and attacked her other dog and almost killed it and when she tried to separate them, he completely bit off her middle finger, people always forget that animals are animals.. even when we love them!

[@cjstats1514]

True. But there is a difference. Demestic animals and mammals. Especially dogs do have the capability to become attached and "love". Reptiles don't even have that. If you raise a dog right, they won't attack other pple. Unless that person attacks you. Some breeds are less aggressive. But there are tons of pits that won't attack a fly. They are usually more aggressive towards other dogs. But most are not aggressive if brought up right.

[@Hope-kx9lz]

I hope you never have a seizure or something like that around these animals. It's hard to watch when this "cold-blooded" alligator hovers next to you. No matter how experienced people think they are, it always happens when they least expect it. May God protect you!

[@nicholasschrader7179]

It reminds me of the social dynamics of D&Ds Lizardmen. Willing to interact with others whilst still viewing them as potential meat.

[@professorcassowary]

So love =/= comfort. It is nice that he is comfortable around you. It ust have been tough work to have him be happy/ok with you being so close to him.

[@thedceey]

Whoever is behind the camera, is equally a legend like Gator man

[@jessicamckinnon64]

I just wanted to tell you that i just love watching your videos especially the one's with you and casper in the water together...Your skill and training is top notch bruh...Ive learned soo much from you and last but not least but most importantly i want you to know that your videos have been just so incredibly amazing and just straight up empowering my brother..."REAL TALK THOU". You've made my whole perspective of alligators to change..Just wanted you to know that...Much love & respect for you to the fullest my guy...💯💯💯

[@GatorChris_]

Thank you!

[@anujkishor]

I think it's very cool of you to go out of your way to be so honest and educational about your "relationship" with Casper and his with you.

[@TVideoupload]

The lady who got her face ripped off by the chimp was incredibly abusive to the chimp and was taunting it which triggered the rampage but your point is still very true

[@XenonDarrow]

Chimps frighten me more than anything...more than tigers, more than polar bears. Then, polars, grizzlies, and bison. Bison are super crazy.

[@cherylcalabrese200]

I read that the owner was giving that chimp Xanax. It was a possibility that he was going through withdrawls. Such abuse.

[@CreativeRed4]

I know it's totally different, but I relate to what you're saying as a dog groomer who specializes in bad dogs. There's always one coworker (or worse... customer!) who has no idea what they're doing, doesn't understand canine body language, terrible reflexes, and they think "I just need to give this dog some love and scratchies and he'll know I love him and we'll be best friends!" and they get bit, because they anthropomorphize the dog and expect them to instantly have this magical disney princess bond with every dog. I even tell my coworkers who think they can pull that shit (or the ones who complain I "never get bad dogs like they do") that the only reason I'm not getting bit and they are is because I've worked with the dog and I understand body language and psychology.. I can only imagine how much WORSE it is, and infinitely more dangerous, working with a species of animal that isn't social that absolutely can and will rip a limb off or eat you! It's one thing to be silly when watching a video or a cartoon and pretend an animal has human thoughts and emotions, but another thing entirely when you're face to face with other species and they're ready to pounce.

[@maroltma18]

This is really true. Shows just that you understand animals. People mistake some moves for empathy and love and that's what kills them in the worst case. I'm thinking of Timothy Treadwell. He was looking for the love inside the grizzly. There is no love. He found out the hard way.

[@herrlogi]

love the vids and never bored hearing the same info as you bring it so vibrantly and well seeing casper is always adorable but wild ;)

[@dannyflynn2057]

Casper swimming by... "no, I love you."

[@michaelterrell2108]

Casper knows Chris but doesn’t love him. We’re just potential prey to them.

[@cristhianyadhir5888]

Id love to see him get bite by casper to see the gators reaction

[@DebNKY]

​@@cristhianyadhir5888wtf?

[@jokeverburg37]

@@cristhianyadhir5888 I would rather not see it happen!

[@justthatgirl-ct4jo]

I bet if Chris got into that pond when Casper hasn't had anything to eat, there will definitely be a different response as well.

[@DebNKY]

@@justthatgirl-ct4jo you must be new here

[@PonderingWhimsy]

Thank you for laying out the facts instead of doing what most do (telling people what they WANT to hear, to gain fame, fortune, or to inflate their own ego.) Of course bonding with a dog or a parrot feels wonderful, but not all living things can love you. You and Casper have an understanding. Too many people get too comfortable with wild animals over time and stop being smart/cautious, that’s when they get hurt. Thank you for spreading awareness, awesome content! :)

[@williammcleod1496]

OH MY GOD, THANK YOU. Chris, I come from a family that arrived in Florida in the 1500s with the Spanish and while I definitely was irritated with my great uncle and cattle rancher's perspective that Gators were vermin who should be exterminated, I'm just as irritated with the way people anthropomorphize a beautiful and dangerous animal. Thank you SO MUCH for doing this educational work, it's vitally important. This is good for humans and good for alligators, and I can't thank you enough.

[@Bw.e]

I’d love you to do a video jus telling stories of your past experiences with gators, good and bad. There very interesting

[@GatorChris_]

Noted!

[@808Fee]

Absolutely love your vids. Very informative!

[@cheriecarpenter3529]

I know that any sudden move could be disastrous! It amazes me that you haven't been attacked😮

[@Badger1776]

This cameraman has balls of steel. “Don’t worry about that alligator swimming behind ya bud! Keep the lens pointed my way.” 😂😂😂

[@LuckyStarTarrow]

Very well educated are your videos. I enjoy watching them. Thanks for the time and your effort that you put into these vids for us chris much appreciated. Keep doing the videos your a amazing person.

[@aquakittykat]

Really great content! I appreciate you sharing your expertise and how to interact with animals with very different incentives/psychologies in a meaningful way. I get what you mean by Casper knowing but not 'loving' you. New to your channel but a lot of respect for knowing how to work with these animals but not romanticizing it - curious about the rest of your work!

[@sheilagill506]

Fascinating and so valuable in educating the rest of us!! We can’t safely personify apex predators and to do so is dangerous and delusional.

[@TeresaEkrom]

i love your common sense commentary. and i had wondered about Pancho so that you for covering that. like and respect you so much Chris!

[@GatorChris_]

Thanks!

[@notbeensleeping6321]

Those lions sound like my neighbours 😂

[@MissMoffet19]

When you're talking about that gator slowly testing you and that they always check on you if you can be eaten I think of those people who do the same. Those sociopathic man who you can never trust and who will always try take advantage of your weaknesses.

[@ActivateDivineDNA]

Your cool - love this advice - even for my dating life - someone I fell in love with - I see they just can’t love me back the way I see them lol. Anyway I’m learning a lot love your intelligence 🐊

[@blessed3699]

Take care yourself. My prayers are with you.

[@drphantalonas4403]

Can you do a video fully explaining the difference between an aligator and a crocodile? You explain things really well, great video very entertaining

[@rosewood151]

Crocodiles see you in a while. Alligators see you later.

[@tysonb3568]

@@rosewood151 lmao…..science wins again!

[@brandonpetersen5710]

So they're just very opportunistic feeders. Doesn't matter who, when, or where. If he has access to meal time, he will try & take it.

[@seanwfindley]

Love this guy. Thanks for the very interesting content.

[@ola_thripsala]

Very good explanation Chris!

[@kellyg4133]

Im amazed at how many comments on fb i saw saying Casper loves you after you explained to them that he doesnt actually love you. He definitely recognizes you with his eyes and by hearing your voice as he isnt a mindless man eating machine , he is trained he is intelligent and from what i can see does seem to have a calm demeanor about him but its your skills in knowing how to navigate safety around him. Because id bet if you ( even after he totally recognizes its definitely you in the water ) if you suddenly started flailing around carelessly having a blast splashing around in the water just having fun or got hit in the head with a branch that knocked you out he would take an opportunity to investigate the situation and bite you if he felt it was a good opportunity for a meal . That to me isnt someone that loves you in the way i percieve love. He would eat a limb off and not feel one bit of remorse over it. They are opportunistic and even Casper is capable of biting and eating you and likely would do so if you didnt have the skill set thst you do. Sadly there isnt really a way to prove it to people without likely loosing a limb. It seems to be so black or white to alot of people. Like either ,omg he loves you so much and would never ever think of biting you or its he is a mindless killing machine and your going to get killed one of these days. When neither is true imo. Idk maybe other people percieve love differently than i do. Someone who loves me isnt going to eat me just because an opportunity presents itself IMO. If he truly loved you i don't believe youd have to keep an eye on him in order to make sure that your safe. Imo you wouldnt need to worry where hes at or what hes doing because he loves you so much. I wont argue with people on social media but those comments must get under your skin at times. Lol

[@Sweeptheleg83]

Everytime im watching one of this guys vids, everytime Casper goes out of frame i keep expecting him to come back suddenly and just rip Chris's head off 😂 I know, i know thats very dark. But honestly, you 2 are great and hes a beautiful, awe inspiring creature for sure.

[@TheBlackManMythLegend]

That's an absolutely awesome metaphor for life. Skills matter.

[@XenonDarrow]

I have had and raised horses for over 50 years. They do bond, love, etc. And they can kill you with a well placed kick, knocking you down and stepping on you, biting you, jumping on you...and often accidentally. They are not predators, but some of them will still "sneak" up on you, either playfully or aggressively - especially stallions (and yes, I had lovely stud horses. I also gelded nearly all them and there were outlaws who made lovely and amazing geldings). Even with my horses, I was always on high alert, aware of where they were, ensuring that they were not in a position to accidentally or purposely hurt me or someone else, touching them and pushing them to let them know I am aware and in charge. My quarter horses were very light to the touch. I got into gaited horses that have a great deal of light draft and some heavy draft - Tennessee Walkers, Friesian / heavy draft hybrids, halfies, etc. They are much much calmer, and I know I have gotten sloppy about things....walking behind them, letting them get up on me, etc. But they also have knocked me down several times. They just ....are big, know they are bigger than you, and are not as light to move off. In the regard, they are passive bullies with their weight. The risk of getting kicked, bitten, bucked, reared, etc, is GREATLY reduced, however, the risk of getting bumped and knocked down or stepped on is a constant concern.

[@lwdrd]

Makes a lot of sense, and it definitely does apply to a lot of other reptiles, familiarity does not equal love, the best bond you're gonna get with most reptiles is a bond of trust, and that just makes them even more special, they're not like us, they don't think like us or socialize like us but that's not a bad thing.

[@RebeccaHindle]

I love your videos really inciteful really like Casper he's so chill I love him and of course you have worked so hard to train aligarors. He comes past very close like he's going for a cuddle obviously not but still.

[@silvias550]

That's so cool you are so realistic and teach people real things

[@lindadubois850]

Very informative I loved this … I’m one of the “ Disney” people lol I learned a lot

[@JT-wu4xv]

Lol same!

[@Josiah-X]

Exactly. 👌🏿 Great, thorough explanation. People need to understand that Nature is not how we human beings perceive it. It is how it is. Every species of animal is different in anyway. Social animals, solitary animals… like the leopard is different from the lion.

[@alexandriafreudenvoll]

Hey Chris Gillette absolutely love all of your videos of Casper alligator I love when he's so calm by you it's amazing how you take care of him and also 7 alligator and the other alligators and also the other animals you and Gabby take care of 💚🐊💚🐊 I will never stop watching if you do is I enjoy watching all your amazing what you guys do 💚💚🐊💚🐊💚🐊💚

[@66zingo]

2019 my wife and I did se your Aligator show in Florida. It was the first event on a 16 day Cruise tour. And that show is what we still talk about 2024 here in Sweden when people want to know about our experiences of that Cruise.

[@deepspace72]

It’s hilarious how Casper always tries to undermine the point you are making - when you are talking about how alligators don’t do emotional bonding (4:04) he floats in for a full on cuddle complete with eyes closed in bliss 😂

[@traceythomas1179]

Facts 😎

[@songbirdsinging1878]

caught that too

[@Spaceisprettybig]

To be fair, that's the same face I make when I settle into the couch with my favorite brand of popcorn.

[@nicholaslee5473]

It's like the scene where the T-Rex drops a gigantic walnut after hearing that it sbrain is the size of a walnut.

[@MorganLeeModelxo]

So funny 😂

[@justthatgirl-ct4jo]

It's human instinct to think animals are capable of love the same way we are. Some more than others, but definitely not like us.

[@Hidden_Seeker_]

No that should definitely not be the takeaway here lol. Anyone who’s worked with animals, or even owned a pet, knows plenty of animals are capable of, and express, feelings just as complex as humans Just not giant lizards

[@vids595]

I dont think it is a "human instinct", maybe more so for women.

[@maximillian1109]

​@@vids595...what?xD

[@maximillian1109]

Tons of animals are VERY capable of love. Gators are too, to a level. Like how they care for their young. It's just not the exact same as us mammals, their brain work differently, they experience the world in other ways. So maybe it can’t be called love, but at the same time emotions are just instincts with some extra steps for motivation, so...? But gators are for example very capable of playing, as well as doing so with both other gators and other animals. So its not as if they are soul less. I like to think that when accidents happen, it is because we are not the animal we are interacting with. Like with horses. A horse shows love by chewing on others horses backs and necks. But when they do it on is, even if its a show of love, it can cause real damage. Now, a gator is far from a horse, but imagine if Casper was chilling with another gator. Then a nip would not matter at all. It would not harm his pal. But when that pal is human, it causes major damage, and then its just instinct/reflex to keep exploring whatever he managed to get in his jaws, and oh its food, how tasty!! And thats how you loose a hand. Its not ill will, it's not the animal being robotic, it's just a natural progression of speciffic patterns of behaviour. Kinda like a toddler swallowing a rock that ended up in its mouth while exploring. It just happens, and we need to know how to avoid starting that chain of events if we wanna interact with these types of animals. Same with big cats. A lion can take being swatted or bitten by another lion, but the same behaviour, even in play, can kill a human. So we must learn how lions tell each other to stop, and use it to regulate what kind of behaviour is accepteble around us. Like how you can tell your cat to pull in their claws when cuddling. It is all about viewing the world from the animals perspective and realizing that we must learn their language, not the other way around. Set hard limits, know what triggers what behaviour, and how to avoid getting in the way.

[@orenelbaum1487]

It's not even really clear what love means in the context of very different animals

[@paulgregory2601]

Brilliant video Chris, thanks 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧, good luck with your new house and adventure x

[@TrinaMoitra]

Does Casper love anyone? Is love even a thing with reptiles? Most people I know don’t get love. Quite a stretch to think we can comment about the capacity to “love” in an animal on the other side of the camera. Found your channels today. Appreciate the focus on education. When I was 10, I watched a croc movie - I think it was Lake Placid - have been terrified of most saurians ever since! Lost some of that after 3 videos!

[@bigcabezza2905]

Might be a little too personal but how does your family feel you working with these creatures everyday? Does it worry them? And for how long do you plan on doing this for? Thanks for the sick videos !!!

[@matthewguerra5410]

If you are out of the norm you are a meal. I remember the video from the other park during the winter cold Snap. You were dressed for cold Weather and they didn’t recognize you right away, and they were out for you

[@doberbrat17]

For whatever reason, we as humans love to put our human emotions on animals - when that just is NOT the case! Not every animal species has the capacity for emotions, and especially not the plethora of emotions that we experience! Alligators, in particular, were NOT created that way and therefore aren’t built to Love, as it were! It’s commonsense! I get what you are saying Chris.

[@paulvonauth7254]

lol, great life story, it's awesome you are brutally honest...

[@techvishnuyt]

i kept my notifications on for your channel just to make sure you are alive and well 😆

[@cherylcalabrese200]

Lol.

[@DrewLife365]

First video I ever saw! Thanks for the info I’ll definitely keep that in mind!

[@santibouphavong]

People i know brag about having an awesome guard dog and etc.........Chris has an alligator lol.....good video bro and always informational and entertaining.

[@TheSLashera]

Haha. Damn dude. You sure know your stuff. I swear I was just scrolling down to type "But what about Poncho?" And you get on the topic. Good stuff man. Gotta keep it real, so people don't try some potentially life-ending shit.

[@Adaventures1]

Best teacher out there.

[@GatorChris_]

🙌

[@alexandraorell6411]

I pray 🙏 for you, that never ever something happens to you. Other than that. A really good video. Thank you 👍.

[@Nagi98]

People: Chris, the `gator loves you. Chris: No, he doesn`t. Casper: No, I don`t.

[@tommyflockman7329]

I think a lot of people confuse a lot of different things for Love

[@filmguy3d]

Say it like it is! YES! Great videos. Brilliant!

[@lauralm9905]

Thank you for another wonderful educational video!

[@GatorChris_]

Thanks!

[@HappySnoutHour]

With all reptiles it's all about the mammalian cortex. That means they have three "F" questions once they see something living near them and that is food, fight, or the naughty word that everyone knows.

[@almibry]

I have so much respect for you for saying this, despite (or maybe especially because) your fan base coming up with this special friendship narrative. I love animals, and I can't lie, I love anthropomorphizing them too, but I have to keep that in check when talking to others lol. As a biologist I'm thoroughly aware that evolution, nature, and most animals are sociopathic (and yes that's anthropomorphizing too lol I know). I can compartmentalize and call them chomp friends while keeping in mind that I'm basically always going to be food for them, but it's so easy to fall into the habit of talking to laymen like I do with other bio nerds. Saying animals "like/love" certain things or people is a convenient shorthand when all bio majors know that many animals are not capable of feeling certain ways but unfortunately laymen interpret it literally. It's hard to be sure what the emotional lives of animals are like, except that for most of them it's very limited. The amygdala is one of the "oldest" brain structures so I believe most animals can experience fear (the fight or flight response), but beyond that it's hard to say. We know many animals, particularly mammals produce hormones we associate with love and bonding, but we can only guess what that actually feels like from their perspective. Side note: I grew up in Florida and went swimming with gators all the time. I was never quite sure what kept me safe despite hearing about people getting eaten semi-regularly. I always assumed it was some combination of being aware, sober, and too big for most of them to safely eat, and it seems that I must have been pretty close to the truth. Thanks for looking after these guys!

[@almibry]

I guess I should add that I don't swim with gators the same way you do! I would go swimming in public areas designated for swimming and I frequently noticed alligators nearby in the water. I never purposely got that close to them out in the wild! If I saw one and they didn't leave, I would slowly make my way out of the water.

[@cyclone3999]

So if i’m understanding correctly, to put simply: Casper see’s you as a sort of social friend/buddy because he knows who you are and he trusts you and you trust him. That being said, he still has his wild animal instincts hardwired in his head and those are ultimately thats whats going to decide his actions. Especially given an opportunity to feed or catch a quick bite.

[@brandondriver99]

I think its more a symbiotic relationship. Birds clean gator teeth and they don't eat the Birds because they are a source of convenience. But if it was hungry it would definitely eat the bird.

[@maximillian1109]

​@@brandondriver99 But they do not bond with the birds. Chris is probably like another gator to Casper, with all the good and bad that comes with that. A lot of behaviour we view as dangerous, predatory, or aggressive is not that big of a deal to the creature in question. A gator nipping at a pal swimming by out of reflex causes no harm, it is seen as socially acceptible, and so the reflex/instinct to snap has not needed to become any more detailed than "feel movement, I bite". It's the fact that we are human that makes the relationship more volitile. Because if I were to get nipped, no matter how casually, I could loose a finger. You can kinda compare it to how you sometimes can trigger a cat into clawing you by moving you hands in certain ways. The cat reacts because we trigger their hunting instincts, and while for another cat with thick fur and the immunsystem of a boss it really does not matter if your pal swatts at you, we all know how painful it is to humans...

[@anaklavdia]

Coming in here I didn't expect to be reminded that attachment and sense of security don't equal love. A legit relationship advice, that applies not only to the gator/human dynamic ;)

[@Barber.ranger.dieudonne]

Really great video man, thank you for all your explanation it’s really interesting

[@bramvanhoof9770]

Love your vids man! Very very very interesting content about these fascinating creatures! Keep it up man, love the channel :p

[@marielangelavelasquez2783]

That story with the alligator's head on your lap is just CRAZY. But you're right. That instinct is built in their system so they would survive. Doesn't mean I didn't flinch when Casper suddenly moved. 😅

[@aquatickeeper3356]

He’s definitely loves you!! You take good care of him! ❤

[@tovi099]

Seems like you actually didn't listen to what he said😅

[@MissKatie19911]

The same people who say Casper "loves" you, are the same people who think they are in love with people they talked to online for 30 days.

[@joseantonioibarra6021]

My guy you are awesome 💯

[@adivinaca]

casper refelxes would take over suddenly!

[@rhondaasquith6272]

I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS! THANK YOU ❤

[@stevepwn]

i agree with your views and what you said. good video man.

[@dombaydog]

excellent knowledge, thanks

[@fmills1583]

Keep in mind the average house cat would kill you if you let him get the upper hand.

[@tommyfanzfloppydisk]

cats would eat your body if you died at home unnoticed and the food rans out.

[@fmills1583]

@@tommyfanzfloppydisk Little bastards bite you for petting too long.

[@midnightblackroses]

What kind of cats do you have 😅. Cats actually have the capacity to love, unlike Casper here Right as I'm typing this my cat decided to attack my foot 😅

[@cajbaf]

Thank you...they are animals. They will do what comes natural if needed

[@eugenetown16]

Casper was sleepy in this video lol.

[@hackman669]

A fed animal is a happy animal!😆

[@emmanuelzanders1746]

They don’t sleep

[@kchabak68]

It's better to be feared than loved in many cases. This would be one of them.😂

[@RBnPA]

Watched your Short video and went directly to this as suggested! What a great job explaining how/why Casper doesn’t Love ❤ you! I would love to see a video about You! How did you learn so much? Is there schooling along with the daily on the job training? Your knowledge is so immense I just can’t imagine how you’ve gained all this croc knowledge? **** I typed this before you explained the alligator wrestling part. That just made more inquisitive as to you training and incredible knowledge about these animals! I just can’t imagine how someone can be so knowledgeable about such a prehistoric animal! If you have a video explaining your training please pass on and if you don’t please consider a video biography! Continued success and health!

[@DeliberatelyBearded]

Great video you explained it very well and very clear

[@GatorChris_]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Scarecrow545]

I'm sure he's covered this in another video, but he brought up the question of 'is Casper unique'. Does anyone know why Casper is the only one he films these videos of in the water with him, and why Casper is never in the enclosure with all the others (Snoopy, Crackerjack, etc)?

[@GatorChris_]

I did a video on this! kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5emc5JnYtN7e7csi=vm0VFYn3oOuM22p9

[@Scarecrow545]

@@GatorChris_ Figured there was one out there, thanks! You're quickly becoming my favorite wildlife-related channel btw!

[@myrmeciagulosa1267]

It's like talking to a psychopath... One sign of weakness and you're lunch. At the same time, a psychopath will not kill you as long as you are beneficial to him.

[@thepikarivera7706]

Or because they know the consequences of doing so.

[@PracticalPerry]

Thank you for showing the bite reaction of Casper the alligator when you slapped his snout. It illustrates the obvious that Casper is a wild animal, not a personified Disney character that "loves" you. Gawd. Also, the human creation of "love" is easy when one's stomach is full. But, when the stomach is not full, and the libido is strong, love gets set to the side obviously.

[@yoface938]

Thank you for keeping it real, I constantly try to explain that wild animals simply aren’t capable of HUMAN LOVE because of the simple fact they are NOT HUMAN. Like you said many social animals are capable of bonding and displays of affection but that is ONLY because their biology gained by evolution permits. And even that love isn’t the same love as human love as dogs kill an estimated 20-30 thousand people every year. For all the people out there single and alone, you can’t even find another human to love or be loved by, what makes you think some slave you keep locked up in your house can?

[@RhinoXpress]

Chris the alligator whisperer. 😅

[@GatorChris_]

😂🙌