Reptile & Amphibian Forums

do tortoises understand a drop-off or a ledge? or will they just run right off?

I haven't tried it with a russian, but I once let a box turtle walk around on the edge of a concrete patio with a 6" drop off.

He would walk to the edge, look over, move away, and then run as fast as he could and dive off. He did this more than once.

I didn't understand his motivation.

well it has been a few days in the new setup and my russian has not run off the ledge. she seems to like to get up there and watch what is going on in the room or look out the window.

thanks for the info.

I read a study some time ago (can't remember what the source of article was now) that land based torts and turts understand the concept of ledges and dropoffs better than water based turts. Its not instinctual for them to dive off such structures into water like a water turtle would to escape predators. However, I would be VERY careful using it as a design feature to contain a tortoise. One act of stupidity on the torts part is all it takes for potentially serious outcome.

Yeah, listen to Mike. Don't take the chance of serious injury. I have extensive experience as an emergency veterinary tech. and a wildlife biologist (lots of wild tortoise experience) so trust me when I say that animals do injure themselves by doing what they should not do, even in the wild. Don't provide them with any extra opportunities. Play it safe and "idiot proof" your enclosures. A two or three foot fall could mean expensive veterinary bills and/or a dead tortoise!