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On reptile and invertebrate cognition...

Something that bothers me when people talk about the cognitive limitations of certain animals is that vague, human-centric words get thrown around and treated like Indisputable Science. When really, the definitions attached to those words are really important.

Example 1: “Reptiles don’t feel happiness”

Well, what exactly do you mean by “happiness”? Do you mean the exact combination of cognitive and emotional sensation that constitutes human happiness? Reptiles certainly don’t experience human happiness, but neither do canines or birds (which don’t even experience mammalian happiness), and we don’t usually go around saying that dogs or parrots don’t feel happiness. We understand that dogs and parrots experience a positive emotional state that is similar to human happiness.

Reptiles aren’t as cognitively or emotionally complex as dogs, parrots, or humans, but they still experience pleasure and can form positive associations. Should we call that happiness? Is a positive emotional state, characterized by high levels of pleasure, an absence of pain, and all current needs being adequately met not a primitive version of what we call happiness?

Same with “reptiles don’t feel emotions”. Well, no, they don’t experience anything approaching the intensity of human emotions, as they don’t have big, thinky cortexes to attach meaning to the emotional reactions of their limbic system. But recent studies have shown that reptiles do have a primitive version of the limbic system and even the neocortex (that whole “reptile brain, mammal brain, human brain” theory has been all disproved by recent science).

At the very least reptiles experience the primitive emotions of pleasure and fear. There are even reptiles that mate for life and form social bonds (even to the point of caring for offspring that are not their own) and reptiles do actually have their own version of the hormone oxytocin (it’s so similar that vets can administer oxytocin to eggbound reptiles to make them lay). So there’s likely more emotional complexity there than we currently understand.

Example 2: “Tarantulas can’t learn”

What do you mean by “learn”? Do you mean that you can’t train a tarantula to spin on command? Or do you mean that a tarantula isn’t capable of changing its present behavior based on past experiences?

Pretty much any animal that can encode memories of past experiences can learn. Recent science has shown that even some plants may be able to somehow encode past experiences and become desensitized to repetitive stimuli and they don’t even have brains.

Like most animals, tarantulas will dampen their reaction to repeated stimuli. A tarantula that is regularly picked up will eventually have a less dramatic response to the stimulus of being placed into a hand. That’s a type of learning.

Tarantulas can also learn to associate a particular stimulus with an event that repeatedly comes afterward (like Pavlov’s Dogs). They will very quickly attune to the set of stimuli that occurs right before feeding time or their cage being opened. That’s learning.

Fun Fact: Studies have shown cockroaches can learn this way too and that cockroaches can recognize and show preferences for individual humans. Hissing cockroaches placed in the hands of someone they recognize are less likely to defensively hiss than when placed in the hands of a stranger.

This may seem like a silly thing to be bothered by, but the reality is that the way we talk about animal cognition can have a real, tangible impact on their welfare.

People can jump pretty quickly from “reptiles don’t experience happiness/emotion” to “reptiles can’t experience pain/discomfort”. Which can lead to devaluing the welfare of reptiles or assuming that as long as the animal is alive and not actively ill or injured there’s nothing else to worry about. This kind of thinking is a big part of the major pushback against enrichment in certain reptile keeping circles.

Similarly, enrichment is almost unheard of in most of insect and arachnid keeping despite the fact that there is a growing scientific consensus (and even a handful of studies) that invertebrates can benefit from enrichment. There also aren’t any welfare laws governing experiments on invertebrates (except cephalopods) because they’re largely considered to be akin to instinctual robots and unable to feel pain or discomfort.

As people who know the difference, it is really important to use specific language and explain what we mean when talking about the cognitive capabilities of animals (especially often maligned and misunderstood animals).

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It was a very special thing to bond with a dragon. Whilst bonding with a dragon provided benefits for both parties, it was still a very rare thing. Dragons were powerful, and by the time they were ready and willing to bond, considerably older than humans. They also had to be a lot more picky with their chosen bonded, than any human did.

Whilst a strong bond with their dragon would extend a humans life considerably, the stronger the bond, the longer their life, the dragons still have to face the possibility of their bonded growing old and dying. Since bonding with another is an incredibly emotionally vulnerable experience for both dragon and human, many dragons are wary about their choices as they get older, not willing to face such heartbreak again. 

Most children go through life boasting about what kind of dragon they think they will bond with, some claiming their strength will ensure them the best dragon, others claiming their wit or looks. For you, it had never been so clear. 

You just like any other child, would constantly daydream about bonding with a dragon and the knowledge and adventures you could share together, preferably away from this horrid town. However, other kids, and even adults, were always keen to remind you how impossible that dream would be.

“Their deaf! What use would a dragon have for them?” You remember seeing one teacher say to another.

It was true, you hadn’t heard a single sound your entire life. Sometimes, it did upset you, but you had long since learned to love what you did have. Mainly, your sight. The world was so beautiful, and without all the chatter to distract you, you were free to admire it as you wished. You could spend hours drawing the flowers and enjoying the swirling sea and shimmering stars. Perhaps it is that which had driven you to becoming a photographer and artist.

Still, when the day came that those your age were finally allowed to try to bond with a dragon, you found yourself joining them. You knew the chances were low, and could see the looks you were getting from those who knew of your disability. Despite this, you wanted to try, at least then you would know for sure.

You waited for the rush to finish, before slowly making your way onto the grounds. Dragons and humans alike stood preening and attempting to gain attention, eager to find the best possible bonded, in hopes of a strong bond. Not feeling the need to rush, you walked calmly amongst the magnificent creatures, slowly wandering deeper and deeper.

Suddenly, something made you pause. With an air of curiosity, you took a few steps back and peered at the impressive dragon before you. It was a massive thing, strong and tough, baring the scars of many a battle, and obviously quite an ancient creature. It was beautiful and you could feel the power rolling off of it in waves, which is why you were confused to see no one walking its way.

It wasn’t until you drew closer, that you realised why. 

Over its eyes where deep ragged scars, long since healed but having well and truly done their harm. As you stepped even closer, you watched as the dragons eyes slid open, baring to you oceans of milky white, confirming your suspicions. They were blind, and had been for quite some time.

Thinking of never being able to see the world as you did, caused your heart to clench and unthinkingly you moved closer. The powerful beast was obviously still highly aware, as it easily followed your progress with its head, slowly lowering it to meet you as you drew close.

For a moment, the two of you simply remained still, taking in each others presence in your own unique ways. Something about this moment was special to you, and you found yourself unwilling to break it, knowing you would carry this moment with you till your final days. With an empathetic pang in your heart, you reached out, smiling as the massive beast pressed its giant nose against your tiny palm. 

And with that, Everything Changed. 

He needed it (part 1)

Izuku is not ready to face his future

I just want them to be happy

Tzipporah from The Prince of Egypt (1998)

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