Professionals with over 30 years combined experience who work with alligators every day: “alligators are not your friends and do not love you” People on the Internet with no crocodilian experience: “OMG these people are so wrong and don’t know what they’re talking about!” 😂😂😂 Seriously guys, thank you so much for all the support! We love educating people that are open to it❤️
You guys already knows how the internet always think they have the world figured ou I'm from south Georgia we have gators n i stay clear of them t 😆 God bless you guys and family
Well guys and gals. I am 45yrs old and I can honestly say that I am glad that some people speak the truth. Growing up in the Southeastern Louisiana swamps, I know a good bit about crocodians. My last name should help on one man that taught me so much about them. Grahame Webb, is one of the worlds leading person on the Crocodilians. For me, I started doing swamp tours when I first turned 18. Like no JOKE, the very day I turned 18. Everyone would freak out that I could jump into the water with these so called man eating gators. Like y'all, people want to assume that they love me. No they don't love me and they would love to eat me. They just don't know if that fight is worth it or not... Will they get hurt when they try. Theres no way that I can tell you or anyone else my 38yrs of traveling the world and learning in Australia on Salties, how much I know. I was told to watch a video of yours and see what I thought. Well, unfortunately it was 6 months ago and I was like ok whatever. Another person who thinks that their gator loves them. Lol. I couldn't have been futher from the truth. Good job!!!! Do where I failed and teach the younger generation. I am to old and boken now to go and do anymore. Just say that ALS takes its toll on a person. With much respect, good luck and I wish you two the very best. Stay safe.
Hi, please check this UA-camr. He make friend with Croccodile since around 24 years, until now. He called Ambo, a man who met this wild crocs (small/baby) started to fed until approximately 6m lenght. This crocs still live on wild, oftenly come accross to His house near the river or He will go to downstream to meet. ua-cam.com/video/zMXvXA--xjE/v-deo.html
sry but thats not 100% correct, alligators/crododiles can "love" you... but they do "it" in their way... Eating u if u are weak and disabled are not seeing by then as an evil thing... its a "cultural instinct thing" but yes.. they show many signs of caring and bond, they are not just as intense as mammals... the same way a dog can bite ur hand if u steal his food, so is Croc... but damage are bigger.. remember science did not prove they CAN LOVE, but didnt PROVE they CANT either... so, we are still open for possibilities
@@jasonwebb1882 I believe it depends on the size of the gator also me being from south Georgia we always had gators but a saltie is definitely a no no for me
Chris & Gabby, y’all always bring that raw honesty. Even when you know some people might disagree, or be upset by the truth. I have so much respect for you both:). Gabby, I LOVE your T-shirt!
@@A_name_is_a_name dogs are about the only animal id 100% trust (not all dogs only certain ones of course) they evolved along side us for so long that a lot of dogs are much more comfortable with people than other dogs. They’ve evolved to get extremely good at reading our body language and voices and have even made themselves easier to interpret their body language and voice compared to wolves. There’s a reason they’re called mans best friend.
I don't understand how people can't be happy with just the idea that it is SO AMAZING to be able to build a working relationship with these animals; a level of trust/co-existence with these giant apex predators is just as amazing
Love how you guys try to keep human-animal relationship as scientific and factual as possible but also treat all your animals with a lot of love and care.
Actually this video shows no scientific truth at all . Scientifically speaking crocodiles can and most likely do feel some form of love . Also they point out their Crocs don't love them but trust them , And trust is the foundation of love . To say no crocodile feels love would be absolutely scientifically speaking stupid . Because science can not prove that these animals can't feel it .The cortex plays a strong part in memory, attention, perception, awareness and consciousness. As it or something like it appears to be present in the brains of all vertebrates, it’s possible that even crocodiles have empathy.Recent studies have found that crocodiles and their relatives are highly intelligent animals capable of sophisticated behavior such as advanced parental care, complex communication and use of tools for hunting. Crocodilians engage in all three main types of play distinguished by behavior specialists: locomotor play, play with objects and social play. Crocodiles have also been seen playing with other animals. In rare cases, individual crocodilians have been known to bond so strongly with other species they become playmates for years . So to flat out say no crocodile feels love is absolutely flat out bullshit ! And the science is NOT on their side with this ! .
Total BS pair of fools saying "i really believe what iv been told i should believe" not a braincell between em these r the type who memorise lies cos ther incapable of deducing the truth from the web of lies our education system has used to force obedience and social compliance on ppl@@Sleviron
I tell people the same thing about politicians, they appear that they love you but as soon as you show signs of thinking for yourself they want to eat you😂😂
It’s not about the money 💰 if people believed a crocodile can love you believe there are going to be a lot of idiots getting them selves killed thinking they can do the same . Education video to keep both human and animal safe . I’m pretty sure they make enough money to at least cover the cost of food for there rescued animals
So you don’t believe there are few people who can have special relations with wild animals? I mean there is a Russian zookeeper Called Oleg in Crimea and he hug and kisses lions and some of them he didn’t not have contact with since they were kids.
@@luckyluke1503 you’re talking about professionals that have years of experience and have learned how to interact and build bonds with wild animals doesn’t mean it will always be safe u always take a chance with a wild animal I was referring to your average human
There’s a video of Steve Irwin crying when one of his crocs died. He pulled her out of the water and wept while holding her. In the same enclosure, the big male croc, who is famous for aggressively seeking to kill Steve was way across the other side of the pond and did not go anywhere near his dead denial croc or Steve. I’ve always wondered about that and why he didn’t take that opportunity to get Steve. Since seeing that I became more and more intrigued with crocodiles and their unique intelligence.
Crocodilians are extremely smart. They watch people, learn their patterns. Most of the time that involves stalking people camping along a riverside and taking the opportune moment to strike, but to take that level of cunning and learning and deny that they would apply it in other ways is ignorance. I doubt that male croc was experiencing empathy for Steve's loss, but I'm certain there was a level of understanding that this new visible state was unknown, and possibly dangerous. He may have been watching and learning, or just suspicious, or maybe he did have a certain level of respect. It's so hard to know. You can't read crocs like you can people, or even like you can gators and monitor lizards. I have no doubt though, that he knew something was up and maybe it would be beneficial to stay back. I think that's about all we can say for anything remotely close to sure.
@@Dr_Diaz they are extremely intelligent!! People on the other hand are not, if they think that any reptile is their friend, reptile's aren't even pet's, they tolerate us till they have an opportunity to attack or escape
@@Dr_Diaz instinct implies there is no thinking involved a dog has instinct but can use intelligence to open doors or observe their owners no animal is one hundred percent gut instinct in their behaviour
Gators and Crocs are able to find their way back to their own territories for many miles through geomagnetic fields in the planet. That's why rescue crocodilians have to be put in enclosures cause they will find their way back and potentially cause trouble if they are in a neighborhood.
@@snowfreak551 hahaha good one! But not a republican either. If you're bringing political parties into this conversation, then you gotta admit that both sides have their share of illogical and irrational flaws.
you skipped over the part where the Journalist entered the water with Chito and Pocho, and the croc immediately took a dislike to him being in the water with them.
It's super nice to hear someone being accurate and realistic instead of the usual romanticizing that happens. People like to put human characteristics and traits on animals instead of educating themselves on the actual animal's behaviors. You're both great, thanks for the education!
I've been a falconer for 23 years. I've flown my current hawk for 12 years. The relationship between me and my hawks is strictly symbiotic. If I was 10 inches tall my hawk would try to eat me. The relationship is simply cooperation between two entities. This "being" flushes rabbits for me and I catch. There is no love or affection from my hawks no matter how many years they are flown. This video makes sense and dispels the Disney movie myth that all is sunshine and roses in the animal kingdom.
Animals have the capacity to love. Well some at least. Not all but a lot. Dogs cats rats birds chimps. Even vicious killers like lions and tigers. So your example with the falcon doesnt hold true for all
My husband has had a crocodilian license for about 20 years. Raised a cayman from a hatchling to about 7 feet and currently house a 3 year old American alligator. The best way to put it is that they will eat you and feel no remorse. Yes, you can train them but they will always will be wild. Thank you for giving people realistic information. If you want an animal to “love” you, get a dog or cat but please don’t think you can own these animals thinking they will “love” you back.
"You can leave the door wide open to the enclosure, and the gator's just looking like '... But the food's over that way.'" Okay, this line just killed me. XD Hilarious and yet so accurate!
I look at it this way, my former feral cat “loves” me...he is perma attached to my hip, and gets sick when I travel for work... BUT.. his fight or flight response is strong, and when I startled him a few years back, he came on all claws and teeth at my face. So, sure, animals have bonds, respect, etc, but their “love” is different than ours, and we can’t assume it’s the same, we can just appreciate it for what it is. Reptile brains are not wired like mammal brains, and that’s ok. We can still love them. Thanks for all you guys do!
@@jp-dv7et lol, not true. So many dogs maul their owners to death. Happened to someone in my town as well. And no, they didn't treat the dog bad. The dog misunderstood the situation where its owner started tickling his son and child screamed/laughed. The dog taught they were fighting and went for the neck of the owner.He bled out before the ambulance arrived in front of his kids.
@@jp-dv7et Oh good.. Another one of you biased dog lovers. Here are the facts. Cats are 100% capable of love, and they show it by rubbing their bodies on their owner's legs, and letting them be picked up and hugged. Both cats and dogs are loyal to death. If an owner dies, their dog or cat will eat them only once they begin to starve. It is shown and proven scientifically, that all animals revert to their natural instinct, when they have no more human interaction and no one to feed them. They become feral again, and eat their deceased owners. You're not proving anything to anyone for having a dog.
@@Kat-qf7ov Shows that you can't really have any fun or become excited around aggressive dogs. So because of that dog, now his son has to grow up without a father. This is why only people who understand how dogs behave should have dogs. You'd never have a problem like this with a cat. Well some undomesticated cats can be aggressive, but it's extremely unlikely they could kill a person, or any kid who can walk.
Thank you for giving us this lecture. I wasn't hoping that it was a magical Disney story, I just wanted a detailed explanation. You guys provided exactly that.
Love this channel. It's great to hear people talking realistically about crocodilians. Incredible animals and ever since I was a kid I've been fascinated by our salties here in Australia... incredible amazing animals. Thanks for keeping it real!
Poncho obviously didn’t love chito because crocs do not have that type of emotions, they don’t feel love the same way people do but it is extremely impressive that a Crocodile was able to get so attached to a human being, it’s different with alligators, gators don’t see humans as food, they eat mostly fish they are not killing machines crocs On the other hand eat absolutely everything that gets in their way, they are a lot more aggressive and will eat humans too, I live in Costa Rica and it is very common to see that crocodiles attack people just to eat them, with alligators or caimans this does not happen, gators and caimans try to stay as far away from people as possible, they don’t like interacting with them and don’t see them as food but a threat, crocodiles see people as food this is why chito and Poncho’s story is so incredibly impressive
I love that you guys call out the production company for wanting you guys to feed people lies! ❤ I think that a lot of kids want to believe anything they see online and for people like you guys to call that out is amazing and respected 🙌 I try to tell my 5-year-old that all the time and we both LOVE watching your videos and I think her hearing that from you guys gave her some reassurance that I'm not making that up! And disney loves to twist the story whatever it takes to make them money!
This is such an important message. Thank you. Your videos are so informative and entertaining. I appreciate the two of you. Hugs to you, and all of the critters that consent to being hugged.
Temple Grandin wrote a really great book on this topic. Technical explanation: All vertebrates do feel affection, as this neurochemical reaction is necessary for sexual reproduction and sometimes child-rearing, but the strength of that affection varies and can be overwhelmed by other, more vital emotions such as panic or aggression. Poncho might have lost those emotions in his brain damage, hence why his only expressions are simple affection. Keeping in mind that the difference in simple affection and complex 'love' is the complexity of the brain those neurochemical reactions take place in.
That’s surely an interesting *thought*, funnily reminds me of the little boy that accidentally suffocated his goldfish trying to sleep with it overnight outside the tank for comfort.
From what I saw in the documentary, Pocho only allowed her caretaker to swim with her. There is a scene in the documentary where the journalist attempted to swim with the pairing, and Pocho became quite agitated and displayed signs aggression. And yes, Pocho was a female.
It not loving or caring about the dude is meaningless. The fact he got to the point where he could interact with the crocodile in the way he did is amazing to me. The animal felt safe around him that’s an accomplishment.
We humans evolved a brain capable of feeling affection and love. It helped us in our survival. Crocodiles/ Alligators evolved differently. Their brain works differently.
It's always difficult to get out of the "animals feel like us" mindset... That's also why i like to watch videos like this once in a while... Just to remember, and reset my brain that likes to believe in these magical stories... Edit: I think the problem (for me) is empathy... Relating my own feelings and thoughts onto the animal. And it's very rarely that I can remind myself to remember that they don't think like we do. And that their connection to instinct and survival is far stronger than ours...
Nobody feels like you do. We all feel things in a unique way, every single being - animal or human. And the magic is there ; you can never know truly how someone feels or how an animal feels. Feelings are abstract and can't ever be fully seized or measured nor observed. Behaviour doesn't equal feelings. I love this channel, but I personnally don't subscribe to anybody's set of beliefs when it comes to this type of topic. Truth is, nobody can know for sure and I think that's kind of magical.
I wish people were into these real stories as much as the fantasy of animals loving people. It's extra special that, even though you guys know Casper and TickTock will never love you, you still love them. That's exactly the people who should have sanctuaries because you actually understand animals. Not through some mystical connection; through being good at your jobs!
That’s something I learned early on in zoology, how we like to anthropomorphize animals and that can be dangerous in terms of understanding them and also dangerous in terms of putting yourself into harm’s way. Animals are individuals, they interact in ways we want to attribute to us but that’s not always the best case. Alligators and crocodiles are not as social creatures like dogs, so social dependency is not something relevant to them in terms of survival. Even captive animals who grow this dependency will still disregard it if it no longer benefits them a lot quicker and more intensive than social creatures.
This was incredible! So much important information that hopefully people took in instead of bristle against! Have to say, the best part was Tic Tok showing that she is the “Superstar of the channel!” You two are an incredible pair, thank you for everything you do for our animals and planet!
Working with feral dogs, cats and other wild animals has taught me one invaluable lesson. The closest thing reptiles feel to love is comfort and an understanding of where food comes from. Reptiles are not true social creatures in the same way canines, felines, and apes are. If a reptile approaches you without attacking it's because it knows you're not going to harm it and it knows you have food. Trained sharks are very similar, just a little more difficult to do.
I would partially disagree just because of what some members of the varanus genus have displayed. Food is just a tool used to gain trust, people do the same thing with tigers and actually social animals.
The anthropomorphization of animals has always drove me crazy. There's a lot of people who you can't convince that animals don't think and feel just like humans do.
I think people have always been guilty of putting human thoughts and feelings onto animals to an extent, but (and this is not meant to bash millennials) it seems like it has accelerated over the past couple of decades. And yes, I blame Disney and overly sentimental parents. I love all animals, but I was never stupid enough to believe that I could just walk into a swamp, find a gator, open my arms and say, "Who wants a hug!" And I will probably go to UA-cam Hell for saying this, but I found Steve Irwin, charming and lovable though he was, contributed to the problem. Yes, he did a lot of good for wildlife, and he did educate a ton of people about reptiles. But he didn't count on so many stupid people who watched his show and went, "What I need in my life is to go find a wild gator!"
People often conflate complex behavior with human-like cognition. Whether an animal is capable of human-like love is based on more than just raw cognitive ability. Some species of anole lizard can problem-solve better than dogs (under experimental circumstances), but they’re not social like dogs and haven’t been bred for millennia to coexist and bond with humans. They probably don’t have the same capacity for humanlike emotions as dogs, and crocodilians even less so because they’re solo (not pack) predators. Crocs aren’t dumb, but they’re not built for the types of social connections that humans, dolphins, apes, dogs, etc. evolved to experience.
@@dawgpost90 are you serious? Mammals torture other animals for fun and eat their owners after they stop feeding them. Lol I think youve been watching too much disney.
literally JUST rewatched that documentary and talked about it with somebody else, we both thought it was maybe chito becoming a known fixture of sorts in pocho’s environment given how much time and effort that chito put into interacting with him. coming to that conclusion of course after learning how quickly they can learn to follow routines and remember people and things from watching your channel so much lately! was super excited to see this title of all things come up and get this explained so directly and thoroughly.
Most of their explanations were good....HOWEVER, they didn't address the part where the white guy got in the lake with pocho, and pocho quickly went on attack mode and only stopped when Chito intervened...that is something I have NEVER seen.
Pocho die 2011. Gilberto "Chito" Shedden went in the water with him for many years and survive I didn’t see anyone else doing it or even trying. There was a connection don’t know anything about love or what else but he did it.
@E. Brignoni... Exactly! And that was the whole point! It doesnt matter what kind of feelings were between them. The guy had the Croc as a pet for more than 20 years and it never ever attacked him, and his swam with it all the time. No more has to be explained to me. Theyre basically just saying stuff that we already KNOW about wild animals. But this case was particularly different, no matter what they say
I love the way you guys explain this. I feel you are giving proper knowledge to keep humans and the animals safe. Thank you for your videos and please continue to be safe!
This is exactly what makes tame, domesticated pets, like dogs, different from trained wild animals. A dog actually forms an emotional bond with its human because of centuries of domestication. Dogs have evolved to form bonds with humans because of this. If you want an animal to love you, get a dog, he will truly be your best friend. An alligator may chill with you, and decide not to eat you, but he won't love you like a dog. Lastly, I wonder if some animals, like Casper for instance, learn to mimick human behaviors, you pet him and now he rubs his head against you just as a sort of learned behavior, not as an act of affection.
I don't think it's domestication that's at play, actually; I recall the story of a woman who had basically managed to become recognized as a fellow member of a wolf pack (which, in the wild, are always made of parents and their offspring, i.e. literal nuclear families). You know what the common factor between dogs and wolves that is absent in crocodilians? The former are highly social, whereas the latter are primarily solitary and only occasionally gregarious (e.g. they are tolerant of each other being in close proximity during droughts, where they are typically forced to share water sites); hell, tigers are famously solitary and territorial and yet even they socialize with each other more than crocodilians do. It makes sense that social animals would be able to form emotional bonds with humans under the right circumstances, whereas with truly solitary animals, any "friendly" relationship we form with them is one of apathetic toleration at best because they simply lack the capacity to connect with even conspecifics (kinda like people with antisocial personality disorder, who completely lack the faculty of emotional empathy).
Are dogs just conditioned to tolerate us by giving them food and shelter and they dont have emotions? Who is any human to say what another living being with a functioning brain does or doesnt feel inside that brain? But I do respect their respect for all animals
I'm a Florida resident born and raised in Florida, and I am so sick of idiots going an feeding these creatures just because they think it's cool or assuming these things can develop feelings for a human. All these idiots are doing is making the alligators and crocs fear humans less and then it endangers our lives as well as their lives and then this amazing creature ends up having to be put down because it either attacked a human or worse killed someone because of the disgusting lack of respect humans have for wildlife animals!
There's over 250 million years of PREDATORS instinct , you can train them, you'll NEVER TAME them. 1 mistake Is all is needed for them to turn on that predator instinct. I really enjoy watching your videos and appreciate you two.
@Huy Truong oh it most certainly is. Evolution in larger, more complex organisms takes longer but, it can be observed in simpler organisms in a human lifetime. If evolution weren't real, all the antibiotics that no longer work, would still work just fine but, some don't anymore. That's because some bacteria have evolved resistance to them.
Just found Pocho tonight, and then this video. As a long-term fan of insect, arachnid, crustacean and reptile/amphibian interaction, this content fascinates me. I dont disagree with anything the two of you have said, since the caveats to safely handling animals like this are many and risky. Though I do think it makes Chito's success with Pocho, without the same background and type of understanding of the animal, that much more fantastic.
"who says crocs can't love - they just express it in different ways. What one perceives as 'biting, killing, ingesting' is just their way of bonding with their loved ones" --- Chito
You / Chito are not wrong, but they definitly don't feel the same 'warm/love' feeling as normal humans do. Aligators and Crocodiles are like psychopath. Very simplistic mindset, they only looking out for themselves. If not biting human benefits them, they won't bite. You can call that love, but it really is not.
@@FightClass3 Bingo, this personns are confusing adaptation & intelligence with actual affection, I would believe that with any mammal, marine or land , not with reptiles, even with fish I would believe it as new studies are emerginb about fish capabilti & experience of emotions, even birds but not reptiles, theyre biological , mental & psychic structures are completely different
I agree with you JJ. I feel like this entire video they were both talking about how oh we do the same thing with our animals and Ive done this that they didn’t do with pocho and minimizing the experiences between chito and pocho. But I think it’s chito and pocho is beyond just logic and as chito described it to be maybe a spiritual connection, and I feel these two just say there isn’t. I think crocs can obviously do a lot of the things that are said in the video and obviously they’re wild animals but I don’t know that it doesn’t mean there’s love between the two, in the end they’re wild animals not the same level of conscious as we do doesn’t mean they don’t love. Bro said he doesn’t have a decade of studying animal behavior like I do. And I don’t know if that emphasizes more that the video he’s looking to uplift his experiences and dispel perceptions But I do feel like there’s some truth to what they’re saying people will believe what they want to. I guess it’s about picking what side you’re on. Also not gonna find myself trying to take care of a croc so my beliefs aren’t a worry about another person believing they could take care of a crocodile and build a bond.
I respect them even more. Many would sell out for the fact of being seen, yet they both are so honest. I really love hearing about their wildlife experiences.
What about the clip I saw of "Wally" the alligator. A man has him as a pet and a certified "service animal" for PTSD? He takes Wally to the mall and hospitals to meet people. Do you know of him? p.s. I grew up in Florida with an 8' gator in my back yard canal. We never "habituated" him. Dad taught us, "Alex is safe. If you never feed him. Never approach the water's edge quickly. An always keep a 30- 40 yard distance." We did.
It’s the same thing, it’s a habituated animal. Anybody can call any animal a service animal nowadays. In our opinion it’s actually sad for the alligator.
@@FloridasWildest Thank you. UA-cam popped his clip up. I watched it because it looked unusual. After watching it, UA-cam sent me to your clip. You're the pro. He's the guy that needs emotional support, which makes him vulnerable to follow "feelings" instead of science. Thanks again.
crocodiles are different i believe the croc loves that guy. and it has nothing to do with its natural instincts. i mean even humans and your loved ones can become really dangerous if they felt threatened or don’t trust you anymore.
Thanks for the reminder. i witnessed an alligator eat another allegators legs just because it accidentally got in his mouth. I know these guys have no love or loyalty
Well damn. I came here from a clip of (what I thought was) that cute cuddly man loving crocodile but you just brought me back down to earth lol thank you for killing my dreams before I had a chance to run around like an idiot telling people about how crocodiles can love people lol
I think romantisizing these behaviors is possibly a subconscious way to get over the primordial fear of apex predators. Or maybe an excuse to care about these animals? Anyways thanks for skipping the bs and educating the public. You guys are awesome!
I had the opportunity to volunteer in many wildlife sanctuaries and work and have direct contact with lions, tigers, cheetas and so on (never with reptiles), and the main thing i learned is that body language is 99% of the understanding of an animal. The issue with reptilians (maybe only some of them? not really an expert) is that, like hyppos, they don't have facial expression. When you work with lions, (with some experience) you can be 95% sure of their intentions just by paying attention to their eyes, ears and posture. Crocs on the other hand: - Don't have facial expressions so you can't read that. - If they are in the water you can't realistically read their body language, because you can't see most of their body. - They don't warn you with sounds like a hyppo unless you are really close (hyppos literally scream at you to tell you to get the hell out of their land) Is it possible that this misconception about crocodiles having/not having feelings is because it's a lot more difficult to "read" them?
I think you're right, we can easily read body language of mammals but reptiles cannot show love in the same way BUT that doesn't mean that can't show love/affection.
He only does it for a photo op, once he has the video of laying down and nuzzling the caiman they go their separate ways. Just like when me and my wife go to bed.
Also nobody thought pocho, was only friendly based off being rescued. He was friendly because they were close pals and spent time with each other. These are weird assumptions about how to interpret that film.
Watching this video again. And I am still so in love. With your snake baby girl. I am so proud to be subscribed to your channel. Thank you family. For what you do. With these great animals. Many blessings from a very happy Philly fan.🤗😇😁🥰😘😍🤩💕
Truly the best public service announcement for all that visit or live in Florida or around reptiles. My biggest fear is encountering a habituated crocodilian in the wild and not have what it wants….😳. Great job and so well said keep up the educational material!
So Riska the croc in Indonesia is also habituated. She is huge, but seems familiar with humans. I saw a video documentary on her and Ambo, and she almost reminds me of Casper. I’ve seen many stories where wild animals thank their rescuers. Riska learned to associate people with food. But with wild crocs is it worth the risk? All it takes is one slip up… I learn a lot thanks to you guys 💖
Hi, guys, I knew about yoour channel precisely from that video from The Dodo about TickTok, I loved it and since then I've been watching almost all your videos (including the "very" old ones). I love that you talked about this, because many animal related UA-cam channels, including The Dodo, do anthromorphizise animals and their relationships with humans quite a bit, and not only the channel itself but the people watching the videos too. Many comments have this "this is Disney magic" vibe on them that, might be cute or wholesome, but it is not correct/accurate, so I love to see this contrast. Awesome job, guys, as always. :)
I just found this channel and I love you guys! I’m a DVM in Florida and I don’t work with reptiles, but I have worked with exotic mammals for twenty-five years. The misleading videos you talk about represent the woo-ification of people who are easily fooled by “documentaries” that crop up everywhere. I deal with the fallout from those all the time. So glad to see people like you spreading accurate information.
Great video and very informative as always. I'm a vet tech student , and I now see alligators and crocodiles in a new light. They are amazing but will always be wild, they are not dogs or cats. Like you mentioned, Crocs and gators evolved differently. They're brains are wired for the responses that you mentioned, nothing more. Thank you for educating the public on this.
Thanks for respecting wildlife for what it is, not what we want. Like you said, romanticizing the relationship would be easy, many already believe it, but the truth deserves to be heard.
I love how u point out that every animal has developed differently and while many wild animals can be trained most often they can't be tamed. They also did a version of this in "Jurassic World" in the end blue never loved Owen, she and the other raptors only behaved because they got food out of it, after they realized that most humans would point a gun at them when they took the tiniest step out of line, that is when they went, "we don't need humans any more". Yes, they make the argument that Blue is abnormally intelligent and compassionate, but most raptors would behave just like the others did upon meeting the I-Rex, without literally requiring interactions like that. That's why earlier in the film when Hotchkins tries to say he could use the raptors in the army, Owen just laughs at him and tries to explain, because he knows that once the raptors are sent on kill missions they would start to associate other humans as enemies and food when used in the way that Hotchkins wants to use them, wich would eventually lead to the raptors to snack on wounded people they were supposed to follow.
We can’t attribute human ideas of affection to animals. Do we believe a python cuddling up next to you, licking you, is showing affection? Of course not. That’s what people don’t understand.
Maybe the crocodiles do respect others and have some kind of "feeling", but find it as a waste not to eat their "loved" ones if they're going to die anyway. It reminds me of an old sci-fi book "Anything You Can Do" by Randall Garrett. An alien ate his brother that he esteemed so much as a favor because he knew they were doomed. Great read, and it seems inspired by this kind of animals.
You ever see that vid of the croc ripping the other crocs leg off by a mistake? (croc bumps into other croc) and even after the leg has been removed the thing acts like nothing even happened. I really don't think crocs have the ability to 'respect' or 'love'. I believe what we see here and with Poncho is just imprinting. That 'respect' your interpreting is just imprinting between crocs and other crocs. It's just a reptilian thing. I have some leopord geckos. Had them for 8 years now. If I put my hand in their cage when they havnt been fed, they WILL bite me. After being fed I can interact with them as they've imprinted on me. The same thing is going on with Casper and Poncho. But for example if my dog hasn't ate for a day and I fall asleep beside him he's not going to eat me because a dog, unlike a reptile can actually respect/love you. 10 days of not eating and it'd be a different story, but the same case could be said for a human.
@@rayzala1393 Wow, I just saw the video you recomended, it gave me goosebumps. Yeah, I think you're right. It's hard to understand animals that have very different ways of feeling and thinking.
@@rayzala1393 I think with reptiles it depends a bit on the species. My leopard gecko and jeweled lacerta have both bit me pretty hard however the one time my ornate monitor accidentally nipped me while I could tell he wasn’t “regretful” or anything of the sort but it was very apparent that it wasn’t his intention to harm and he immediately let go once he realized I wasn’t prey.
I adore how honest you guys are. As someone with an animal care background all I see is people anthropomorphising animals to their detriment. Wholeheartedly agree with everything said in this video. However I’d still love to see a deep rooted metaphysical bond video where you and Casper play with crystals. That would be hilarious! 😂🐊🔮💎
Thank you for your comments. In my mind, it explains the Sigfried and Roy incident. Roy had raised the white tiger from a cub but he did something which triggered a defensive response and was nearly killed. A white tiger is not a human being nor does it think like human beings. A point to always remember!
It shows intelligence? But not love? Or emotions. Stating reptiles don’t have emotions is obtuse at best. Is old fashion human thinking. “They all have different personalities” she says but then state other contradictory ideas that can exist without emotions. What are emotions? How much feelings count as emotions?
I appreciate the message here, and I've always thought of crocs/alligators as instinctual, cold blooded, predators....but I'm not sure how anyone can definitively say that a crocodilian is incapable of generating a bond in which they associate a positive chemical reaction with a specific person or another animal. Once that chemical reaction is initiated, it get's stronger w every interaction. This is obviously a false equivalence, but let's not forget that we domesticated wolves. I think as humans, we create grandiose ideas of what "love" is. At the end of the day, it's a bond generated by chemical reactions, generated by positive association. Moreover, "love" only exists in a mutually beneficial relationship (a lot to unpack w that, but I think there's always a give and take happening, even in the case of "unconditional love"). So, food association might be the trigger, but that's not to say that continued association and interaction doesn't create a deeper chemical bond in time. I'm not sure anyone can say for certain that specific animals are incapable of that. We are all products of evolution, meaning we adapt to our environment. I think under specific conditions, some animals might surprise us. That all said, I defer to your expertise and knowledge. I just think the issue here is defining "love", and I think people have a conflated view of what love is. Can a crocodile or alligator love "like a human"? Probably not....but can they develop a bond that closely resembles what we as humans call "love"? I don't know, but I'd argue it's within the realm of possibility.
I think it's up to people like you who think that these animals are capable to form affectionate bonds to prove that. You're the one with the claim. It's impossible to disprove a negative. Meaning it's impossible to prove that something doesn't exist. That's why the burden of proof lies with you and people who share your thinking. Wild speculation gets us nowhere.
@@sindri1447 I think you might want to reread what I wrote and/or work on your reading comprehension. I made exactly zero claims. I highlighted that my thought process was speculation based on the interesting story of Poncho. I was simply entertaining possibilities, and I flat out said that I defer to the knowledge of people like this who work with the animals day in and day out.
My wife and I went to a small zoo and gator sanctuary on the Texas/Louisiana state line where before you go out, they tell you at the end you get to hold a small gator. At first we weren't sure we even wanted to, but when my wife and I looked in it's beautiful eyes, we immediately wanted to hold it. I was most shocked by how soft its skin was, even on its back. Thank you for saving all these critters and educating the public on them.
It's called Gator Country and I live next to it. It's not a small sanctuary and they are all rescued nuisance gators as well. The have the largest alligator ever caught alive at 13'8" and Big AL who has been there over 25 years and is 13'6" and over 1000lbs. The owner is Gary Saurage. They have over 1000 alligators as well as many other reptiles on site. It is consistently growing.
I definitely can agree but I saw the documentary on Chito and Poncho. There was something, some bond between them. Plus Pocho isn't a gator, he's a crocodile....
Interesting opinion. I personally do believed something a little more unique was going on with Pocho…but - I think you guys have a very scientific approach to your thoughts which is respectable, and why I watch your channel. Def love learning from you all. Love Nature 💕
Thank goodness. I thought I was about to hear that Chito had abused Pocho or that Pocho had attacked Chito off camera. This was much better than anything I could have expected; thank you for the facts!
Man, there are a lot of ignorant "internet experts" in these comments. Probably the same typle of people that think when a dog snarls, they're "smiling". I blame it all on TikTok lol.
Hippos and crocs have been doing it for long before we came along, it isn’t love…but it sure does have a lot to do with a personal gain, like being fed or protected or both, it is a symbiotic relationship.
I’m a vet tech and have been in the field for over 15 yrs. I can’t tell you how informative your video is. I deal with this all the time as people humanize animals. Yes, they are domesticated, but they are still animals not humans.
Thank you for being so honest. It's definitely clear that the animals are comfortable with you because you know what your doing and respect them and have spent sooooo much time working with them.
Thanks, I never felt like Pocho "loved" the dude, more like he tamed it and acclimated it to him, which is even more of an accomplishment in my opinion!
the croc deff trusted and respected him! Dont think Any predator would allow you to it into a VEry exposed and defenseless position without lashing out or trying to atleat roll back over... thats TRUST. they instinctivly dont allow that.
The dude slept with his crocodile and put his limbs in its mouth not just hovering but on its tongue where it should have set off it's instincts to snap down its jaw.
I don’t know how in the world I stumbled across your channels but oh well I’m down the rabbit whole now. Anyway, I really appreciate your integrity and professionalism responsibility. This conversation is applicable for some human behaviors as well, I might add 😂
Always some human thinking they know it all when they were not there … So explain why pocho tried to attack another man but stopped when chito intervened
Still you’re a professional at Croc / Alligator encounters ,,, Chito was not , he obviously didn’t know what to expect from Pacho until Pacho showed signs of calm . Adept care take of Pacho, is more impressive that Professional care from experts .
It's mutual respect. Casper respects you, and you respect him. Casper knows you provide food and care, so you're not the first option... buuut, that doesn't mean you are off the menu.
Professionals with over 30 years combined experience who work with alligators every day: “alligators are not your friends and do not love you”
People on the Internet with no crocodilian experience: “OMG these people are so wrong and don’t know what they’re talking about!” 😂😂😂
Seriously guys, thank you so much for all the support! We love educating people that are open to it❤️
You guys already knows how the internet always think they have the world figured ou I'm from south Georgia we have gators n i stay clear of them t 😆 God bless you guys and family
Well guys and gals. I am 45yrs old and I can honestly say that I am glad that some people speak the truth. Growing up in the Southeastern Louisiana swamps, I know a good bit about crocodians. My last name should help on one man that taught me so much about them. Grahame Webb, is one of the worlds leading person on the Crocodilians.
For me, I started doing swamp tours when I first turned 18. Like no JOKE, the very day I turned 18. Everyone would freak out that I could jump into the water with these so called man eating gators. Like y'all, people want to assume that they love me. No they don't love me and they would love to eat me. They just don't know if that fight is worth it or not... Will they get hurt when they try.
Theres no way that I can tell you or anyone else my 38yrs of traveling the world and learning in Australia on Salties, how much I know.
I was told to watch a video of yours and see what I thought. Well, unfortunately it was 6 months ago and I was like ok whatever. Another person who thinks that their gator loves them. Lol. I couldn't have been futher from the truth. Good job!!!! Do where I failed and teach the younger generation. I am to old and boken now to go and do anymore. Just say that ALS takes its toll on a person. With much respect, good luck and I wish you two the very best. Stay safe.
Hi, please check this UA-camr. He make friend with Croccodile since around 24 years, until now. He called Ambo, a man who met this wild crocs (small/baby) started to fed until approximately 6m lenght. This crocs still live on wild, oftenly come accross to His house near the river or He will go to downstream to meet. ua-cam.com/video/zMXvXA--xjE/v-deo.html
sry but thats not 100% correct, alligators/crododiles can "love" you... but they do "it" in their way...
Eating u if u are weak and disabled are not seeing by then as an evil thing... its a "cultural instinct thing"
but yes.. they show many signs of caring and bond, they are not just as intense as mammals...
the same way a dog can bite ur hand if u steal his food, so is Croc... but damage are bigger..
remember science did not prove they CAN LOVE, but didnt PROVE they CANT either...
so, we are still open for possibilities
@@jasonwebb1882 I believe it depends on the size of the gator also me being from south Georgia we always had gators but a saltie is definitely a no no for me
“A wild animal does or doesn’t bite you for a specific motivation and that motivation is never a Disney story”
Pretty concise way of putting it!
Same way goes for humans.
Chris & Gabby, y’all always bring that raw honesty. Even when you know some people might disagree, or be upset by the truth. I have so much respect for you both:). Gabby, I LOVE your T-shirt!
An animal in general. Your dogs and cats will eat you if you pass away in the crib
@@A_name_is_a_name Well nothing wrong with that, they're starving. Starve a person for a week and they'll also return to their instincts.
@@A_name_is_a_name dogs are about the only animal id 100% trust (not all dogs only certain ones of course) they evolved along side us for so long that a lot of dogs are much more comfortable with people than other dogs. They’ve evolved to get extremely good at reading our body language and voices and have even made themselves easier to interpret their body language and voice compared to wolves. There’s a reason they’re called mans best friend.
I don't understand how people can't be happy with just the idea that it is SO AMAZING to be able to build a working relationship with these animals; a level of trust/co-existence with these giant apex predators is just as amazing
agree! Its the interaction that is facinating
This youtubers will split in two months
They are happy with the idea. But it's just an idea still. Not reality
@@sn4pi Damn, well put!
The problem is that the idea might get people killed so a reality check is needed.
Love how you guys try to keep human-animal relationship as scientific and factual as possible but also treat all your animals with a lot of love and care.
actually the video consisted of few facts and a lot of presumptions.
Actually this video shows no scientific truth at all . Scientifically speaking crocodiles can and most likely do feel some form of love . Also they point out their Crocs don't love them but trust them , And trust is the foundation of love . To say no crocodile feels love would be absolutely scientifically speaking stupid . Because science can not prove that these animals can't feel it .The cortex plays a strong part in memory, attention, perception, awareness and consciousness. As it or something like it appears to be present in the brains of all vertebrates, it’s possible that even crocodiles have empathy.Recent studies have found that crocodiles and their relatives are highly intelligent animals capable of sophisticated behavior such as advanced parental care, complex communication and use of tools for hunting.
Crocodilians engage in all three main types of play distinguished by behavior specialists: locomotor play, play with objects and social play. Crocodiles have also been seen playing with other animals. In rare cases, individual crocodilians have been known to bond so strongly with other species they become playmates for years . So to flat out say no crocodile feels love is absolutely flat out bullshit ! And the science is NOT on their side with this ! .
Total BS pair of fools saying "i really believe what iv been told i should believe" not a braincell between em these r the type who memorise lies cos ther incapable of deducing the truth from the web of lies our education system has used to force obedience and social compliance on ppl@@Sleviron
I tell people the same thing about politicians, they appear that they love you but as soon as you show signs of thinking for yourself they want to eat you😂😂
You might be losing a lot of money and opportunity by keeping it real. But... you're also saving a lot of crocodilians... and people. Respect.
It’s not about the money 💰 if people believed a crocodile can love you believe there are going to be a lot of idiots getting them selves killed thinking they can do the same . Education video to keep both human and animal safe . I’m pretty sure they make enough money to at least cover the cost of food for there rescued animals
So you don’t believe there are few people who can have special relations with wild animals? I mean there is a Russian zookeeper Called Oleg in Crimea and he hug and kisses lions and some of them he didn’t not have contact with since they were kids.
@@luckyluke1503 you’re talking about professionals that have years of experience and have learned how to interact and build bonds with wild animals doesn’t mean it will always be safe u always take a chance with a wild animal I was referring to your average human
@@Amor1990 lmaoooo 😂😂😂😂😂 ok mr know it all .
@@luckyluke1503 lions aren’t crocodilians. Two entirely different families of animals with different social behaviors.
This is why I am subbed. They speak the truth not comforting lies. This information keeps people safe and aware around these animals
There’s a video of Steve Irwin crying when one of his crocs died. He pulled her out of the water and wept while holding her. In the same enclosure, the big male croc, who is famous for aggressively seeking to kill Steve was way across the other side of the pond and did not go anywhere near his dead denial croc or Steve. I’ve always wondered about that and why he didn’t take that opportunity to get Steve. Since seeing that I became more and more intrigued with crocodiles and their unique intelligence.
Crocodilians are extremely smart. They watch people, learn their patterns. Most of the time that involves stalking people camping along a riverside and taking the opportune moment to strike, but to take that level of cunning and learning and deny that they would apply it in other ways is ignorance. I doubt that male croc was experiencing empathy for Steve's loss, but I'm certain there was a level of understanding that this new visible state was unknown, and possibly dangerous. He may have been watching and learning, or just suspicious, or maybe he did have a certain level of respect. It's so hard to know. You can't read crocs like you can people, or even like you can gators and monitor lizards.
I have no doubt though, that he knew something was up and maybe it would be beneficial to stay back. I think that's about all we can say for anything remotely close to sure.
@@dragonwithamonocle Agreed, give it a few more hours left alone with the corpse and it would be an all you can eat buffet.
@@Dr_Diaz they are extremely intelligent!! People on the other hand are not, if they think that any reptile is their friend, reptile's aren't even pet's, they tolerate us till they have an opportunity to attack or escape
@@Dr_Diaz exactly
@@Dr_Diaz instinct implies there is no thinking involved a dog has instinct but can use intelligence to open doors or observe their owners no animal is one hundred percent gut instinct in their behaviour
The fact that he tried to put this crocodile in two or three different locations and it always came back to his house is incredible on its own.
he literally slept and swim in the wild with that crocodile. They're jealous
@@DragonballZTime jealous and straight-up haters
@@b-rare exactly
Gators and Crocs are able to find their way back to their own territories for many miles through geomagnetic fields in the planet. That's why rescue crocodilians have to be put in enclosures cause they will find their way back and potentially cause trouble if they are in a neighborhood.
Yes haters who are using professional experience and research to back their points
These are the type of people I want to have around in my life - logical, rational and not prone to being hijacked by one's own beliefs and emotions.
🤙🏼🐊
Exactly bro, same here
I am constantly reminding myself this as well and it really is the way to maintain orientation 👍 I like how you worded it
So not a democrat lol
@@snowfreak551 hahaha good one! But not a republican either. If you're bringing political parties into this conversation, then you gotta admit that both sides have their share of illogical and irrational flaws.
you skipped over the part where the Journalist entered the water with Chito and Pocho, and the croc immediately took a dislike to him being in the water with them.
“Our chakras align and we hold crystals together” 😂😂😂
🤣🤣🤣🤣
It's super nice to hear someone being accurate and realistic instead of the usual romanticizing that happens. People like to put human characteristics and traits on animals instead of educating themselves on the actual animal's behaviors. You're both great, thanks for the education!
I've been a falconer for 23 years. I've flown my current hawk for 12 years. The relationship between me and my hawks is strictly symbiotic. If I was 10 inches tall my hawk would try to eat me. The relationship is simply cooperation between two entities. This "being" flushes rabbits for me and I catch. There is no love or affection from my hawks no matter how many years they are flown.
This video makes sense and dispels the Disney movie myth that all is sunshine and roses in the animal kingdom.
I don't know much about falcons. But at least some birds do have the capacity for affection
Well a cat or dog would eat you too if you were smaller than 10 inches. Cats and dogs actually do love you as owners. I get your point though.
That's because Canines and Felines are Social creatures.
Well how could there be... clearly you dont love the hawks, and why would they love you when you dont love them.
Animals have the capacity to love. Well some at least. Not all but a lot. Dogs cats rats birds chimps. Even vicious killers like lions and tigers. So your example with the falcon doesnt hold true for all
My husband has had a crocodilian license for about 20 years. Raised a cayman from a hatchling to about 7 feet and currently house a 3 year old American alligator. The best way to put it is that they will eat you and feel no remorse. Yes, you can train them but they will always will be wild. Thank you for giving people realistic information. If you want an animal to “love” you, get a dog or cat but please don’t think you can own these animals thinking they will “love” you back.
"You can leave the door wide open to the enclosure, and the gator's just looking like '... But the food's over that way.'"
Okay, this line just killed me. XD Hilarious and yet so accurate!
I look at it this way, my former feral cat “loves” me...he is perma attached to my hip, and gets sick when I travel for work... BUT.. his fight or flight response is strong, and when I startled him a few years back, he came on all claws and teeth at my face. So, sure, animals have bonds, respect, etc, but their “love” is different than ours, and we can’t assume it’s the same, we can just appreciate it for what it is. Reptile brains are not wired like mammal brains, and that’s ok. We can still love them. Thanks for all you guys do!
Cats dont give a damn about their owners ! Dogs on the other side are loyal to death !
@@jp-dv7et lol, not true. So many dogs maul their owners to death. Happened to someone in my town as well. And no, they didn't treat the dog bad. The dog misunderstood the situation where its owner started tickling his son and child screamed/laughed. The dog taught they were fighting and went for the neck of the owner.He bled out before the ambulance arrived in front of his kids.
@@Kat-qf7ov Yea sure m8 so many 🤣
@@jp-dv7et Oh good.. Another one of you biased dog lovers. Here are the facts. Cats are 100% capable of love, and they show it by rubbing their bodies on their owner's legs, and letting them be picked up and hugged. Both cats and dogs are loyal to death. If an owner dies, their dog or cat will eat them only once they begin to starve. It is shown and proven scientifically, that all animals revert to their natural instinct, when they have no more human interaction and no one to feed them. They become feral again, and eat their deceased owners. You're not proving anything to anyone for having a dog.
@@Kat-qf7ov Shows that you can't really have any fun or become excited around aggressive dogs. So because of that dog, now his son has to grow up without a father. This is why only people who understand how dogs behave should have dogs. You'd never have a problem like this with a cat. Well some undomesticated cats can be aggressive, but it's extremely unlikely they could kill a person, or any kid who can walk.
Thank you for giving us this lecture. I wasn't hoping that it was a magical Disney story, I just wanted a detailed explanation. You guys provided exactly that.
Love this channel. It's great to hear people talking realistically about crocodilians. Incredible animals and ever since I was a kid I've been fascinated by our salties here in Australia... incredible amazing animals. Thanks for keeping it real!
Poncho obviously didn’t love chito because crocs do not have that type of emotions, they don’t feel love the same way people do but it is extremely impressive that a Crocodile was able to get so attached to a human being, it’s different with alligators, gators don’t see humans as food, they eat mostly fish they are not killing machines crocs On the other hand eat absolutely everything that gets in their way, they are a lot more aggressive and will eat humans too, I live in Costa Rica and it is very common to see that crocodiles attack people just to eat them, with alligators or caimans this does not happen, gators and caimans try to stay as far away from people as possible, they don’t like interacting with them and don’t see them as food but a threat, crocodiles see people as food this is why chito and Poncho’s story is so incredibly impressive
as with all animals and even humans: it’s all about respect. Respect their nature, their space, their needs.
I love that you guys call out the production company for wanting you guys to feed people lies! ❤ I think that a lot of kids want to believe anything they see online and for people like you guys to call that out is amazing and respected 🙌 I try to tell my 5-year-old that all the time and we both LOVE watching your videos and I think her hearing that from you guys gave her some reassurance that I'm not making that up! And disney loves to twist the story whatever it takes to make them money!
This is such an important message. Thank you.
Your videos are so informative and entertaining.
I appreciate the two of you.
Hugs to you, and all of the critters that consent to being hugged.
Who is to say who is capable of love? The truth is you do not know.
Temple Grandin wrote a really great book on this topic. Technical explanation: All vertebrates do feel affection, as this neurochemical reaction is necessary for sexual reproduction and sometimes child-rearing, but the strength of that affection varies and can be overwhelmed by other, more vital emotions such as panic or aggression. Poncho might have lost those emotions in his brain damage, hence why his only expressions are simple affection. Keeping in mind that the difference in simple affection and complex 'love' is the complexity of the brain those neurochemical reactions take place in.
That’s surely an interesting *thought*, funnily reminds me of the little boy that accidentally suffocated his goldfish trying to sleep with it overnight outside the tank for comfort.
Love is a stranger we used to know
From what I saw in the documentary, Pocho only allowed her caretaker to swim with her. There is a scene in the documentary where the journalist attempted to swim with the pairing, and Pocho became quite agitated and displayed signs aggression. And yes, Pocho was a female.
If a crocodile couldn't show aggression, it couldn't eat to live.
THANK YOU, excellent observation and I'll check out the book!
It not loving or caring about the dude is meaningless. The fact he got to the point where he could interact with the crocodile in the way he did is amazing to me. The animal felt safe around him that’s an accomplishment.
@@jessejorgensen3931 yes that’s called habituation. The entire point though is that it is not a love based relationship
We humans evolved a brain capable of feeling affection and love. It helped us in our survival. Crocodiles/ Alligators evolved differently. Their brain works differently.
100%!!
It's always difficult to get out of the "animals feel like us" mindset... That's also why i like to watch videos like this once in a while... Just to remember, and reset my brain that likes to believe in these magical stories...
Edit: I think the problem (for me) is empathy... Relating my own feelings and thoughts onto the animal. And it's very rarely that I can remind myself to remember that they don't think like we do. And that their connection to instinct and survival is far stronger than ours...
Nobody feels like you do. We all feel things in a unique way, every single being - animal or human. And the magic is there ; you can never know truly how someone feels or how an animal feels. Feelings are abstract and can't ever be fully seized or measured nor observed. Behaviour doesn't equal feelings. I love this channel, but I personnally don't subscribe to anybody's set of beliefs when it comes to this type of topic. Truth is, nobody can know for sure and I think that's kind of magical.
I'd say the correct sentence would be "They are content to be with us, and decided we're not hostile nor food, but provide them food."
No matter how dangerous an animal is, you can always trust them more than the government.
I wish people were into these real stories as much as the fantasy of animals loving people. It's extra special that, even though you guys know Casper and TickTock will never love you, you still love them. That's exactly the people who should have sanctuaries because you actually understand animals. Not through some mystical connection; through being good at your jobs!
Yes! Could not agree more.
That's sad but true your loving an animal that doesn't love you 💯 takes allot
That’s something I learned early on in zoology, how we like to anthropomorphize animals and that can be dangerous in terms of understanding them and also dangerous in terms of putting yourself into harm’s way. Animals are individuals, they interact in ways we want to attribute to us but that’s not always the best case. Alligators and crocodiles are not as social creatures like dogs, so social dependency is not something relevant to them in terms of survival. Even captive animals who grow this dependency will still disregard it if it no longer benefits them a lot quicker and more intensive than social creatures.
This was incredible! So much important information that hopefully people took in instead of bristle against! Have to say, the best part was Tic Tok showing that she is the “Superstar of the channel!” You two are an incredible pair, thank you for everything you do for our animals and planet!
Working with feral dogs, cats and other wild animals has taught me one invaluable lesson. The closest thing reptiles feel to love is comfort and an understanding of where food comes from. Reptiles are not true social creatures in the same way canines, felines, and apes are. If a reptile approaches you without attacking it's because it knows you're not going to harm it and it knows you have food. Trained sharks are very similar, just a little more difficult to do.
I would partially disagree just because of what some members of the varanus genus have displayed. Food is just a tool used to gain trust, people do the same thing with tigers and actually social animals.
The anthropomorphization of animals has always drove me crazy. There's a lot of people who you can't convince that animals don't think and feel just like humans do.
Depends on the animal. Reptilians like crocodiles? Naw. Dolphins, whales, elephants, and other mammals? I think there is a conversation there.
@@dawgpost90 Yeah, mainly only pack animals/mammals can feel the way humans do
I think people have always been guilty of putting human thoughts and feelings onto animals to an extent, but (and this is not meant to bash millennials) it seems like it has accelerated over the past couple of decades. And yes, I blame Disney and overly sentimental parents.
I love all animals, but I was never stupid enough to believe that I could just walk into a swamp, find a gator, open my arms and say, "Who wants a hug!"
And I will probably go to UA-cam Hell for saying this, but I found Steve Irwin, charming and lovable though he was, contributed to the problem. Yes, he did a lot of good for wildlife, and he did educate a ton of people about reptiles. But he didn't count on so many stupid people who watched his show and went, "What I need in my life is to go find a wild gator!"
People often conflate complex behavior with human-like cognition. Whether an animal is capable of human-like love is based on more than just raw cognitive ability. Some species of anole lizard can problem-solve better than dogs (under experimental circumstances), but they’re not social like dogs and haven’t been bred for millennia to coexist and bond with humans. They probably don’t have the same capacity for humanlike emotions as dogs, and crocodilians even less so because they’re solo (not pack) predators. Crocs aren’t dumb, but they’re not built for the types of social connections that humans, dolphins, apes, dogs, etc. evolved to experience.
@@dawgpost90 are you serious? Mammals torture other animals for fun and eat their owners after they stop feeding them. Lol I think youve been watching too much disney.
I still think poncho loved his owner , I was so sad when Pocho died😞
literally JUST rewatched that documentary and talked about it with somebody else, we both thought it was maybe chito becoming a known fixture of sorts in pocho’s environment given how much time and effort that chito put into interacting with him. coming to that conclusion of course after learning how quickly they can learn to follow routines and remember people and things from watching your channel so much lately! was super excited to see this title of all things come up and get this explained so directly and thoroughly.
Most of their explanations were good....HOWEVER, they didn't address the part where the white guy got in the lake with pocho, and pocho quickly went on attack mode and only stopped when Chito intervened...that is something I have NEVER seen.
@@WHATISTRUTHTV Yep.
FACTS
Pocho die 2011. Gilberto "Chito" Shedden went in the water with him for many years and survive I didn’t see anyone else doing it or even trying. There was a connection don’t know anything about love or what else but he did it.
@E. Brignoni... Exactly! And that was the whole point! It doesnt matter what kind of feelings were between them. The guy had the Croc as a pet for more than 20 years and it never ever attacked him, and his swam with it all the time. No more has to be explained to me. Theyre basically just saying stuff that we already KNOW about wild animals. But this case was particularly different, no matter what they say
I love the way you guys explain this. I feel you are giving proper knowledge to keep humans and the animals safe. Thank you for your videos and please continue to be safe!
Love how real you are about everything. Literally covering every respond that someone could give you
This is exactly what makes tame, domesticated pets, like dogs, different from trained wild animals. A dog actually forms an emotional bond with its human because of centuries of domestication. Dogs have evolved to form bonds with humans because of this. If you want an animal to love you, get a dog, he will truly be your best friend. An alligator may chill with you, and decide not to eat you, but he won't love you like a dog.
Lastly, I wonder if some animals, like Casper for instance, learn to mimick human behaviors, you pet him and now he rubs his head against you just as a sort of learned behavior, not as an act of affection.
I don't think it's domestication that's at play, actually; I recall the story of a woman who had basically managed to become recognized as a fellow member of a wolf pack (which, in the wild, are always made of parents and their offspring, i.e. literal nuclear families). You know what the common factor between dogs and wolves that is absent in crocodilians? The former are highly social, whereas the latter are primarily solitary and only occasionally gregarious (e.g. they are tolerant of each other being in close proximity during droughts, where they are typically forced to share water sites); hell, tigers are famously solitary and territorial and yet even they socialize with each other more than crocodilians do. It makes sense that social animals would be able to form emotional bonds with humans under the right circumstances, whereas with truly solitary animals, any "friendly" relationship we form with them is one of apathetic toleration at best because they simply lack the capacity to connect with even conspecifics (kinda like people with antisocial personality disorder, who completely lack the faculty of emotional empathy).
no animal can love, no matter if it's a crocodile or a dog
Also dogs/wolves are pack animals, unlike crocs and gators
You cannot actually form a loving bond with a dog if food is heavily involved, food is the most basic distraction.
@@caniform-craze2080 evidence?
Chris and gabby are goals. I love their relationship and what they do it’s so inspirational in my opinion. Keep up the good work
Are dogs just conditioned to tolerate us by giving them food and shelter and they dont have emotions? Who is any human to say what another living being with a functioning brain does or doesnt feel inside that brain?
But I do respect their respect for all animals
we need more people like you guys educating others who don't know any better.. the world is too greedy with profiting off ignorance.
I think people mistake a "bond" for "love"....They really arent the same thing. Love is unconditional, while a bond can be broken.
Love itself isn’t unconditional, as there’s a type of love called “unconditional love”.
@@Prodigi50 If it isnt unconditional, it isnt really love, but an illusion.
@@MidnightBlackandVictoria too many Disney movies man
@@jordangibson4825 I despise disney.
Unconditional love is ideally reserved for parents towards their children
I'm a Florida resident born and raised in Florida, and I am so sick of idiots going an feeding these creatures just because they think it's cool or assuming these things can develop feelings for a human. All these idiots are doing is making the alligators and crocs fear humans less and then it endangers our lives as well as their lives and then this amazing creature ends up having to be put down because it either attacked a human or worse killed someone because of the disgusting lack of respect humans have for wildlife animals!
There's over 250 million years of PREDATORS instinct , you can train them, you'll NEVER TAME them. 1 mistake
Is all is needed for them to turn on that predator instinct.
I really enjoy watching your videos and appreciate you two.
hah you fool
i play ark survival evolved 😎
@@MostIntelligentMan what does crocs have to do with politics. Quit you reddit.
It'll just take millions of years to tame them. 😄
Evolution isnt real.
@Huy Truong oh it most certainly is. Evolution in larger, more complex organisms takes longer but, it can be observed in simpler organisms in a human lifetime. If evolution weren't real, all the antibiotics that no longer work, would still work just fine but, some don't anymore. That's because some bacteria have evolved resistance to them.
Just found Pocho tonight, and then this video. As a long-term fan of insect, arachnid, crustacean and reptile/amphibian interaction, this content fascinates me. I dont disagree with anything the two of you have said, since the caveats to safely handling animals like this are many and risky. Though I do think it makes Chito's success with Pocho, without the same background and type of understanding of the animal, that much more fantastic.
"who says crocs can't love - they just express it in different ways. What one perceives as 'biting, killing, ingesting' is just their way of bonding with their loved ones" --- Chito
To love is to eat. Nom Nom
I can't believe crocodilians are into vore.
You / Chito are not wrong, but they definitly don't feel the same 'warm/love' feeling as normal humans do. Aligators and Crocodiles are like psychopath. Very simplistic mindset, they only looking out for themselves. If not biting human benefits them, they won't bite. You can call that love, but it really is not.
@@FightClass3 Bingo, this personns are confusing adaptation & intelligence with actual affection, I would believe that with any mammal, marine or land , not with reptiles, even with fish I would believe it as new studies are emerginb about fish capabilti & experience of emotions, even birds but not reptiles, theyre biological , mental & psychic structures are completely different
I agree with you JJ. I feel like this entire video they were both talking about how oh we do the same thing with our animals and Ive done this that they didn’t do with pocho and minimizing the experiences between chito and pocho. But I think it’s chito and pocho is beyond just logic and as chito described it to be maybe a spiritual connection, and I feel these two just say there isn’t. I think crocs can obviously do a lot of the things that are said in the video and obviously they’re wild animals but I don’t know that it doesn’t mean there’s love between the two, in the end they’re wild animals not the same level of conscious as we do doesn’t mean they don’t love.
Bro said he doesn’t have a decade of studying animal behavior like I do. And I don’t know if that emphasizes more that the video he’s looking to uplift his experiences and dispel perceptions
But I do feel like there’s some truth to what they’re saying people will believe what they want to. I guess it’s about picking what side you’re on. Also not gonna find myself trying to take care of a croc so my beliefs aren’t a worry about another person believing they could take care of a crocodile and build a bond.
I respect them even more. Many would sell out for the fact of being seen, yet they both are so honest. I really love hearing about their wildlife experiences.
What about the clip I saw of "Wally" the alligator. A man has him as a pet and a certified "service animal" for PTSD? He takes Wally to the mall and hospitals to meet people. Do you know of him?
p.s. I grew up in Florida with an 8' gator in my back yard canal. We never "habituated" him. Dad taught us, "Alex is safe. If you never feed him. Never approach the water's edge quickly. An always keep a 30- 40 yard distance." We did.
It’s the same thing, it’s a habituated animal. Anybody can call any animal a service animal nowadays. In our opinion it’s actually sad for the alligator.
@@FloridasWildest
Thank you. UA-cam popped his clip up. I watched it because it looked unusual. After watching it, UA-cam sent me to your clip.
You're the pro. He's the guy that needs emotional support, which makes him vulnerable to follow "feelings" instead of science.
Thanks again.
Chito and Pocho was awesome regardless tho 🔥🔥 I like watching ur videos aswell 👌
Your dog is the cutest he or she is pushing on you to get comfy so adorable!
crocodiles are different i believe the croc loves that guy. and it has nothing to do with its natural instincts. i mean even humans and your loved ones can become really dangerous if they felt threatened or don’t trust you anymore.
Thanks for the reminder. i witnessed an alligator eat another allegators legs just because it accidentally got in his mouth. I know these guys have no love or loyalty
Well damn. I came here from a clip of (what I thought was) that cute cuddly man loving crocodile but you just brought me back down to earth lol thank you for killing my dreams before I had a chance to run around like an idiot telling people about how crocodiles can love people lol
I think romantisizing these behaviors is possibly a subconscious way to get over the primordial fear of apex predators. Or maybe an excuse to care about these animals? Anyways thanks for skipping the bs and educating the public. You guys are awesome!
I think this is more of a case , poncho tolerates him
I had the opportunity to volunteer in many wildlife sanctuaries and work and have direct contact with lions, tigers, cheetas and so on (never with reptiles), and the main thing i learned is that body language is 99% of the understanding of an animal. The issue with reptilians (maybe only some of them? not really an expert) is that, like hyppos, they don't have facial expression. When you work with lions, (with some experience) you can be 95% sure of their intentions just by paying attention to their eyes, ears and posture.
Crocs on the other hand:
- Don't have facial expressions so you can't read that.
- If they are in the water you can't realistically read their body language, because you can't see most of their body.
- They don't warn you with sounds like a hyppo unless you are really close (hyppos literally scream at you to tell you to get the hell out of their land)
Is it possible that this misconception about crocodiles having/not having feelings is because it's a lot more difficult to "read" them?
I think you're right, we can easily read body language of mammals but reptiles cannot show love in the same way BUT that doesn't mean that can't show love/affection.
I’ve always been so curious about this one and about Murabayashi-san in Japan who sleeps in a bed with a spectacled caiman! 👓🐊
I wonder what would happen if he had a really bad nightmare while he was sleeping and the caiman decided he was food or a predator in that moment.
He only does it for a photo op, once he has the video of laying down and nuzzling the caiman they go their separate ways. Just like when me and my wife go to bed.
@@fmills1583 Savage
omg you guys, TickTock has gotten so big!!! And she looks so GOOD!!! You've done an amazing job with her!
Pocho.. was the first to do it, especially with that monster of alligator he was swimming with..
Also nobody thought pocho, was only friendly based off being rescued. He was friendly because they were close pals and spent time with each other. These are weird assumptions about how to interpret that film.
Watching this video again. And I am still so in love. With your snake baby girl. I am so proud to be subscribed to your channel. Thank you family. For what you do. With these great animals. Many blessings from a very happy Philly fan.🤗😇😁🥰😘😍🤩💕
My perspective on poncho Changed the moment cheeto rested his head on the crocs head and the croc closed it’s eyes.
Truly the best public service announcement for all that visit or live in Florida or around reptiles. My biggest fear is encountering a habituated crocodilian in the wild and not have what it wants….😳. Great job and so well said keep up the educational material!
So Riska the croc in Indonesia is also habituated. She is huge, but seems familiar with humans. I saw a video documentary on her and Ambo, and she almost reminds me of Casper. I’ve seen many stories where wild animals thank their rescuers. Riska learned to associate people with food. But with wild crocs is it worth the risk? All it takes is one slip up…
I learn a lot thanks to you guys 💖
Hi, guys, I knew about yoour channel precisely from that video from The Dodo about TickTok, I loved it and since then I've been watching almost all your videos (including the "very" old ones).
I love that you talked about this, because many animal related UA-cam channels, including The Dodo, do anthromorphizise animals and their relationships with humans quite a bit, and not only the channel itself but the people watching the videos too. Many comments have this "this is Disney magic" vibe on them that, might be cute or wholesome, but it is not correct/accurate, so I love to see this contrast. Awesome job, guys, as always. :)
I just found this channel and I love you guys! I’m a DVM in Florida and I don’t work with reptiles, but I have worked with exotic mammals for twenty-five years.
The misleading videos you talk about represent the woo-ification of people who are easily fooled by “documentaries” that crop up everywhere. I deal with the fallout from those all the time. So glad to see people like you spreading accurate information.
Great video and very informative as always. I'm a vet tech student , and I now see alligators and crocodiles in a new light. They are amazing but will always be wild, they are not dogs or cats. Like you mentioned, Crocs and gators evolved differently. They're brains are wired for the responses that you mentioned, nothing more. Thank you for educating the public on this.
Thanks for respecting wildlife for what it is, not what we want. Like you said, romanticizing the relationship would be easy, many already believe it, but the truth deserves to be heard.
I love how u point out that every animal has developed differently and while many wild animals can be trained most often they can't be tamed. They also did a version of this in "Jurassic World" in the end blue never loved Owen, she and the other raptors only behaved because they got food out of it, after they realized that most humans would point a gun at them when they took the tiniest step out of line, that is when they went, "we don't need humans any more". Yes, they make the argument that Blue is abnormally intelligent and compassionate, but most raptors would behave just like the others did upon meeting the I-Rex, without literally requiring interactions like that. That's why earlier in the film when Hotchkins tries to say he could use the raptors in the army, Owen just laughs at him and tries to explain, because he knows that once the raptors are sent on kill missions they would start to associate other humans as enemies and food when used in the way that Hotchkins wants to use them, wich would eventually lead to the raptors to snack on wounded people they were supposed to follow.
You guys are great and I love your honesty.
We can’t attribute human ideas of affection to animals. Do we believe a python cuddling up next to you, licking you, is showing affection? Of course not.
That’s what people don’t understand.
True
I have a deep connection and understanding with mosquitoes. They love getting intimate with my body and we have a connection. They love me!
That is perfect!
casper is gonna be sad when he hears about this.
Maybe the crocodiles do respect others and have some kind of "feeling", but find it as a waste not to eat their "loved" ones if they're going to die anyway.
It reminds me of an old sci-fi book "Anything You Can Do" by Randall Garrett. An alien ate his brother that he esteemed so much as a favor because he knew they were doomed. Great read, and it seems inspired by this kind of animals.
You ever see that vid of the croc ripping the other crocs leg off by a mistake? (croc bumps into other croc) and even after the leg has been removed the thing acts like nothing even happened. I really don't think crocs have the ability to 'respect' or 'love'. I believe what we see here and with Poncho is just imprinting. That 'respect' your interpreting is just imprinting between crocs and other crocs. It's just a reptilian thing. I have some leopord geckos. Had them for 8 years now. If I put my hand in their cage when they havnt been fed, they WILL bite me. After being fed I can interact with them as they've imprinted on me. The same thing is going on with Casper and Poncho. But for example if my dog hasn't ate for a day and I fall asleep beside him he's not going to eat me because a dog, unlike a reptile can actually respect/love you. 10 days of not eating and it'd be a different story, but the same case could be said for a human.
@@rayzala1393 Wow, I just saw the video you recomended, it gave me goosebumps. Yeah, I think you're right. It's hard to understand animals that have very different ways of feeling and thinking.
@@rayzala1393 I think with reptiles it depends a bit on the species. My leopard gecko and jeweled lacerta have both bit me pretty hard however the one time my ornate monitor accidentally nipped me while I could tell he wasn’t “regretful” or anything of the sort but it was very apparent that it wasn’t his intention to harm and he immediately let go once he realized I wasn’t prey.
You two do a tremendous job and you share this education and experience with us. So appreciated ❤️
I adore how honest you guys are. As someone with an animal care background all I see is people anthropomorphising animals to their detriment. Wholeheartedly agree with everything said in this video. However I’d still love to see a deep rooted metaphysical bond video where you and Casper play with crystals. That would be hilarious! 😂🐊🔮💎
They put it so well with their example on how reptiles brains work
Thank you for your comments. In my mind, it explains the Sigfried and Roy incident. Roy had raised the white tiger from a cub but he did something which triggered a defensive response and was nearly killed. A white tiger is not a human being nor does it think like human beings. A point to always remember!
It shows intelligence? But not love? Or emotions. Stating reptiles don’t have emotions is obtuse at best. Is old fashion human thinking. “They all have different personalities” she says but then state other contradictory ideas that can exist without emotions. What are emotions? How much feelings count as emotions?
I appreciate the message here, and I've always thought of crocs/alligators as instinctual, cold blooded, predators....but I'm not sure how anyone can definitively say that a crocodilian is incapable of generating a bond in which they associate a positive chemical reaction with a specific person or another animal. Once that chemical reaction is initiated, it get's stronger w every interaction. This is obviously a false equivalence, but let's not forget that we domesticated wolves. I think as humans, we create grandiose ideas of what "love" is. At the end of the day, it's a bond generated by chemical reactions, generated by positive association. Moreover, "love" only exists in a mutually beneficial relationship (a lot to unpack w that, but I think there's always a give and take happening, even in the case of "unconditional love"). So, food association might be the trigger, but that's not to say that continued association and interaction doesn't create a deeper chemical bond in time. I'm not sure anyone can say for certain that specific animals are incapable of that. We are all products of evolution, meaning we adapt to our environment. I think under specific conditions, some animals might surprise us.
That all said, I defer to your expertise and knowledge. I just think the issue here is defining "love", and I think people have a conflated view of what love is. Can a crocodile or alligator love "like a human"? Probably not....but can they develop a bond that closely resembles what we as humans call "love"? I don't know, but I'd argue it's within the realm of possibility.
I think it's up to people like you who think that these animals are capable to form affectionate bonds to prove that. You're the one with the claim. It's impossible to disprove a negative. Meaning it's impossible to prove that something doesn't exist. That's why the burden of proof lies with you and people who share your thinking. Wild speculation gets us nowhere.
@@sindri1447 I think you might want to reread what I wrote and/or work on your reading comprehension. I made exactly zero claims. I highlighted that my thought process was speculation based on the interesting story of Poncho. I was simply entertaining possibilities, and I flat out said that I defer to the knowledge of people like this who work with the animals day in and day out.
I really appreciate your videos and honesty. Thanks for sharing your knowledge I learned a lot!
Thank you for keeping it real guys. Love from England. ❤
My wife and I went to a small zoo and gator sanctuary on the Texas/Louisiana state line where before you go out, they tell you at the end you get to hold a small gator. At first we weren't sure we even wanted to, but when my wife and I looked in it's beautiful eyes, we immediately wanted to hold it. I was most shocked by how soft its skin was, even on its back. Thank you for saving all these critters and educating the public on them.
It's called Gator Country and I live next to it. It's not a small sanctuary and they are all rescued nuisance gators as well. The have the largest alligator ever caught alive at 13'8" and Big AL who has been there over 25 years and is 13'6" and over 1000lbs. The owner is Gary Saurage. They have over 1000 alligators as well as many other reptiles on site. It is consistently growing.
I definitely can agree but I saw the documentary on Chito and Poncho. There was something, some bond between them. Plus Pocho isn't a gator, he's a crocodile....
Interesting opinion. I personally do believed something a little more unique was going on with Pocho…but - I think you guys have a very scientific approach to your thoughts which is respectable, and why I watch your channel. Def love learning from you all.
Love Nature 💕
Thank goodness. I thought I was about to hear that Chito had abused Pocho or that Pocho had attacked Chito off camera. This was much better than anything I could have expected; thank you for the facts!
Man, there are a lot of ignorant "internet experts" in these comments. Probably the same typle of people that think when a dog snarls, they're "smiling". I blame it all on TikTok lol.
Even dogs will attack their owner during a seizure. It's one of the most common reasons for a dog attack by a well habituated family dog. It'd weird.
Hippos and crocs have been doing it for long before we came along, it isn’t love…but it sure does have a lot to do with a personal gain, like being fed or protected or both, it is a symbiotic relationship.
I’m a vet tech and have been in the field for over 15 yrs. I can’t tell you how informative your video is. I deal with this all the time as people humanize animals. Yes, they are domesticated, but they are still animals not humans.
I bet everyone who works in veterinarian laughs at all the pet owners, while stealing their hard earned cash.
Thank you for being so honest. It's definitely clear that the animals are comfortable with you because you know what your doing and respect them and have spent sooooo much time working with them.
Thank you for this responsible, rational, honest approach to discussing your relationships with animals.
Thanks, I never felt like Pocho "loved" the dude, more like he tamed it and acclimated it to him, which is even more of an accomplishment in my opinion!
the croc deff trusted and respected him! Dont think Any predator would allow you to it into a VEry exposed and defenseless position without lashing out or trying to atleat roll back over... thats TRUST. they instinctivly dont allow that.
The dude slept with his crocodile and put his limbs in its mouth not just hovering but on its tongue where it should have set off it's instincts to snap down its jaw.
@@ricoswagger7076 yup. That croc seen that man as his family and the one who saved his life. Deff had a bond.
I think they're just jealous they didn't make a life long friendship with a crocodile 🐊😭😉
I don’t know how in the world I stumbled across your channels but oh well I’m down the rabbit whole now. Anyway, I really appreciate your integrity and professionalism responsibility. This conversation is applicable for some human behaviors as well, I might add 😂
Thanks for this bit of sanity. It never ceases to amaze me how people try to impart human emotions onto wild animals. I'm looking at you, The Dodo.
Always some human thinking they know it all when they were not there … So explain why pocho tried to attack another man but stopped when chito intervened
There is something called symbiotic relationship that exists in nature. Brain size of the creature usually determine what the creature is capable of.
Still you’re a professional at Croc / Alligator encounters ,,, Chito was not , he obviously didn’t know what to expect from Pacho until Pacho showed signs of calm . Adept care take of Pacho, is more impressive that Professional care from experts .
It's mutual respect. Casper respects you, and you respect him. Casper knows you provide food and care, so you're not the first option... buuut, that doesn't mean you are off the menu.
You make so much sense. Love your work, although I often feel nervous watching some of your interactions - haha