Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,
I've got some goofy questions, can tortosies smell? Or do they see colors extremely well like birds? How do they find their food... Whenever I feed my torts they run right over to the spot where I always put their food.. They just know, like a pavlonian conditioining sort of thing.... But, when I trick them.. It takes a little longer for them to find it in the new spot.. so is it sight or smell? Thank you!

des

Why do you think that's a goofy question? (nevermind)

Those are the 2 senses that they rely on the most. They also hear but they hear very low frequencies.

Sight is obviously the first attention grabber. (hey, that looks good) They seem to be attracted to specific colors also (red, yellow...). Then, they check it out further with smell (sniff, sniff... smells good)(why does that Cheech and Chong skit come to mind about now). Depending on if the brain registers good or bad will depend if they chow down or not.

When you let your guys out and about, watch them. They are very deliberat in their actions. I always wonder if there is an actual thought process or if it is all instinct.
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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

I don't doubt a thought proces... I have just acquired a yellow foot that is w/c (groan) .... His name is Geode.. He has been housed for several months with other yellow foots, but due to a worm infestation did not have the desire to eat... He's been to the vet now and is on panucur and he's getting alot better and he's gaining weight.. but what I have noticed that is very interesting is his food behaviors.. he has "group thinking"... I don't think he understands that he is alone now, or he veiws my iguana a competition for food because when I give him his food and he isn't ready to eat.... he will SIT right on top of it and not BUDGE until he's ready to eat, once he is full he will sit NEXT to his food.... He is also training me very well, he knows if he pretends he's not going to eat his veggies and he looks at me long enough, I'll give him a piece of fruit. He is a very cunning little brat. But I love him so much, I'll put up with it. My Golden Greek on the other hand, is not so cunning. He is a very simple little guy with only few requierments.. that he has fresh greens and a place to hide.. that's all he wants... But he gets more than that obviously.
~ thanks for answering my question and the reason why I thought it was goofy is because I have been searching on the internet for the answer for a while now.. and no where do I find anything about them being ABLE to smell.. So I thought it was just something everyone knew~~except me~!

Sorry so long and thank you.

des

The way your tortoise goes straight to where you usually feed him points up the fact that tortoises are territorial animals. Territorial animals have to remember where the boundries of their range is, and they must also remember where their dens or burrows are if they are the type that uses them. Torts also memorize where the best feeding areas are in their territories, the best basking spots.

As far as the senses, they see fairly well, especially color, and their sense of smell is quite good. The reason for seeing color so well is to find blossoms and/or fruits from a distance.

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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care