r/nextfuckinglevel • • Nov 12 '21

This Man found, raised, and nurturer a Snapping turtle from the time it was the size of a thumb nail. Now it's a big softy.

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u/TheFiredrake42 Nov 12 '21

Socialized vs Domesticated. All of my past reptiles were socialized. Well, except for the Tokay. Steve Irwin couldn't have socialized that hellspawn, lol.

But none were ever Domesticated. Not even the Red Tegu, which was the smartest reptile I ever owned or worked with. And I've worked with a LOT.

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u/GuiltyEidolon Nov 12 '21

Anyone who says they've had a calm, easy going tokay is lying through their teeth.

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u/reverendjesus Nov 12 '21

Yeah domestication is multigenerational, where they’re ALL very predisposed to being well-socialized with humans. Some individuals of any species are predisposed to being socialized with a good upbringing, even without the domestication; let’s say 1 out of 100 bobcats are capable of being socialized; if you bred each of the 1/100 kitties with each other, that’s the kind of thing that would start down the road to domestication. There’s a Russian experiment where they bred foxes only for temperament, and over a couple generations they began showing neotenic (puppy-like) characteristics into adulthood, as well as other things we associate with domesticated canids, like cute floppy ears, hanging tongue, and speckled coats (they’re insanely expensive or quite frankly I’d have a dozen).

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u/Ohhisseencule Nov 12 '21

There’s a Russian experiment where they bred foxes only for temperament, and over a couple generations they began showing neotenic (puppy-like) characteristics into adulthood, as well as other things we associate with domesticated canids, like cute floppy ears, hanging tongue, and speckled coats (they’re insanely expensive or quite frankly I’d have a dozen).

You don't get to say that without a link to some pics.

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u/reverendjesus Nov 12 '21

I can do better: here’s a vid https://youtu.be/4dwjS_eI-lQ

“GOOD FOX!”

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u/Ohhisseencule Nov 12 '21

Awesome thanks!

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u/reverendjesus Nov 12 '21

(I’ll admit I was hoping for someone to call me out on that)

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u/[deleted] Nov 12 '21

My partner’s friend has one and it seems to be just as incredible as it sounds

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u/prabla Nov 12 '21

I wonder if they were to be bred through many generations if they would become domesticated like dogs were.

edit: even with dogs though, if they aren't trained they can be dangerous as hell. It makes me think its more a matter of nurture rather than nature but I don't know enough on the subject to say for sure.

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u/_duncan_idaho_ Nov 12 '21

Tokay

Did you name it Annie? And ask "Annie, are you Tokay?"