Reptile & Amphibian Forums

how many of you all thinks or knows that monitors are social animals.or is this a stupid question?

If the strongest varanus was protecting the weakest ones and caring for the elder ones, then it would make varanus a social being. My experiences being in Ohio as compared to Kazakhstan are very illuminating to me on what is social or not. Sharing my space to strangers and hostiles is not social. If you and me both go to the same hostel on different buses, we are not being social to each other. But if we build a shelter together and make it a good place for all to be and include them, then it is progressively social of us to do. Varanus are intimidating because they are not so social and are very greedy and self circled.

cheers,

Yuri Voorhak

Ok so to you myself meeting you is not social?? But if I hook up and get married then I am social cause I have a house etc.??

So then by your defenition are humans social or not social? one minute I was not next I was?? How does that fit into the scheme of things??

Circling around protecting young or elders is a hoofed stock reaction. It does not make for social as they do it out of survival. they did not learn that for anything else other then to survive to ensure there young goes on.

Thats why this topic sucks, social and non social, anti social are all wide terms. You can twist them like a pretzel until they fit your needs.

"See things as you see them, not as others see them"

Of course human people are social, as they have that capability of caring for each other and lowering their own genetic fitness to do this. If we are interacting as variables and not recognizable individuals, then is this not very social??? You are obviously social even if you are not being this way with me.

Your talk of "hoofed stock" is making me think you are being purposely obtuse. No higher mammals do this also? What species are you to be considered???

And this!!!

"they did not learn that for anything else other then to survive to ensure there young goes on. " (sic)

My only reaction to this is stunned to not say words.

This is why the everything of everything in biology! I realise science is not so important in this country, but that was the last straws! You can say that line of any biological phenomenon you can conceive! Never wonder why people asking this question always, it's because the answers they get are jumping around like kossacks and not saying anything much!!

For you, what are some vertebrates that are social but not altruistic???? This is water without being wet!!

cheers,

Yuri Voorhak

I was trying to just show how vague it is to say social or non social in a whole.

You gave examples of humans one was social one was not. I wanted to be sure you knew what humans were then.

As for hoof stock circling to protect there young being social? It is only done in survival. They have evolved over many years that ther best chance is in a group right? What if I take all that they fear away from them? Will they then stay together or spread out??

I just want you to look at the whole picture my friends. Don't get tunnel vision and see only one pixel.

Like I said I think this topic sucks, it has been gone over before. it is very easy to argue it both ways until someone comes up with a better defining word.

Hope this clarify's it for you, cause not sure how else to spell it out to you.

Have a nice day

Social: By definition 2: of 3: Naturaly living or growing in groups. If one sticks to Websters cleary defined definition without the philosophical undertones. Then I say yes some varanus species are loosely social. As are many vertabrates. The question is relative, remove the human trait, it answers itself. Water is just water.

i hate how people always say "HUMaN TRAIT" i mean i i dont thing moniter love eachother, they tolerate but still i hate human trait cause other animals sing, love play, ect and hey who knows a lizard may enjoy a good bask with a few buddies. lol