Some reptiles actually like to be patted and fondled ...
... but - even from the same species - not every individual animal. My black iguana which I have had for 15 years or so recognizes me and is at ease in my presence (not really in anbody else's except my wife's), but it doesn't like to be patted or taken out of the terrarium - on a good day he can just about handle it, but it puts him under stress so I avoid it where I can.
