It was not me who came up with BS scientific data because I was paid to do so. It was the SCIENTIST. I was taken as legit scientific information and laws were passed because of it. Had nothing to do with me. In my eyes and yours it is not science but to the general public and the law makers it was enough science to get the ban through. Saying that I am the problem is idiotic. Why am I the problem? Because I do not think varanids are highly intelligent beings or because I said that scientific data can be biased and manipulated by a paycheck?

Murrindindi,
Ok, you are right. They can put on threat displays. Instinctive behaviors that trigger instinctive responses. Communication at its lowest most basic form.

My definition of intelligence (which happens to be THE definition of intelligence) is an animal that can solve problems, capable of abstract, complex thought, reasoning, advanced communication, self awareness, and most importantly, understanding. Out of all of those thing, what do varanids display?

Certainly as already stated, there may be more to these animals that we do not yet know. But as it stands right now, in my eyes and in the eyes of science, reptiles have a comparatively low intelligence level than that of mammals and other social animals. I do not think they are brainless or totally driven by instinct but their behavior shows that they are very instinctive creatures.

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