Other reptiles may become aggressive due to sexual maturity, territoriality or fear. For those of us who are fascinated by reptiles and amphibians, it is important that we remember that these animals are truly wild animals. Some are captured from the wild and imported into the country for sale. Many are now being bred and reared in captivity, but even those are often only a few generations from their native habitat. They are not domesticated animals, like dogs and cats, mammals that have lived in harmony with humans for thousands of years.
Reptiles often react based on instinct.
On occasion, when a reptile reacts to a stimulus, the owner may perceive this as a specific action directed at them. For example, a hungry snake may strike at a hand reaching into the cage to change the water. It is important to not take an aggressive act personally, but it is important to try and understand just what provoked an attack. When discussing aggression, it is often divided into several types. Defensive aggression occurs in response to what a reptile perceives as a threat, what could be a real threat or when a herp defends its territory.