I'm always intrigued by these kind of arguments.
I am on the boat of "Reptiles do not have the mental facilities to experience emotions as humans know them." I believe they are instinctual creatures and based on what we know about brains and their structures I have no reason to believe otherwise.
I can see both sides of the argument here. Is it possible that reptiles have a larger mental capacity than what we give them credit for? I would like to think so. It was not long ago that it was thought that animals, and even infants, did not feel pain.
The brain is probably the most mysterious - and most studied - organs out there. I am certain that there is more to learn about its function in many creatures. Quick example - I suffered severe brain trauma and death as a child. I was resusciated and not expected to function normally due to my brain hemmoraging and a lack of oxygen (to the brain) for several minutes. Part of my left hemisphere was removed. Well... I function quite well, if I say so myself.
But even so, I do not feel that emotions are applicable to reptiles based on their behavior. Why would they need them? Reptiles do not bond to mates, they do not form friendships, a very high percentage of them are not maternal..
I could go on, but it's all speculation! I appreciate my animals for what they are and do not need them to conform themselves to what emotional expectations I might have for a pet.
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