Hello all

Just a few questions, what can tortoises see, hear and smell? i know snakes cant see greatly and they cannot hear thats why they rely on vibrations and smell but i just wondered about tortoises?
Also how can you tell when a tortoise is happy or scared?
And final one, as a new keeper of a baby redfoot, what can i do to make it happy, keep it occupied (from changing the stones round on the table) is there anything they like to do or anywhere they like being stroked or anything like that?

Thanks
Jo

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1 Creamsicle Corn
2 Fish
1 Redfoot Tortoise

tortoises ears are situated on the side of their heads, so yes they can hear. i don't know if it is extra powerful hearing but they do have them contrary to what some think ( my friend thought they cudn't hear cos they didn't have sticky-out ears!)
they have an excellent sense of smell which helps them find their food in the wild.
not sure about their sight... i do know something i read a couple of weeks ago but it eludes me right now!
obvious signs of a tort being scared are when they tuck their heads and legs in as a defense against predators or if theyre quickly surprised about something. sometimes you can hear the tort make like a 'hiss' sound but it isn't actually hissing, its because its retracting its head so quickly its forcing air our of it lungs in order to fit all the legs and head inside the shell .... don't quote me on that tho!
if you have a tort table, which is the best housing for torts, then you could try making some kind of barrier walls in order for the tort to walk round and look around so it is some kind of intrigue for the tort, maybe move your enclosure around after every month or so... add some aftificial leaves or rocks so they can hide under them or walk round them.
all this is only an opinion, some may disagree totally but only trying to help!
hope it has helped a tad!

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Cheers,
Shaun

My Pets0.0.2 Hermanns Torts (Lucy/Loosey-Goosey and Millie/Millie Poo-Pops)

What I Want - Eventually!0.0.1 Bearded Dragon 0.0.1 Redfoot 0.0.1 Chihuahua

Hiya,Tortoises can hear and smell and have good eyesight too.Too much change will stress them out so be carefull.They like things to be familiar and the same but of course this is only my opinion,others may not agree.I talk to my redfoots and one of them comes right up to my face when i do,the other one is a little more shy as of yet but I give them space and time and patience.They don't need occupying as such.All they need is lots of space to wander about and search for food and to get exercise.Of course the more you talk to them and interact with them the more they will get to trust you as long as you are gentle.

you could have a point there!

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Cheers,
Shaun

My Pets0.0.2 Hermanns Torts (Lucy/Loosey-Goosey and Millie/Millie Poo-Pops)

What I Want - Eventually!0.0.1 Bearded Dragon 0.0.1 Redfoot 0.0.1 Chihuahua

My little tort likes being rubbed on the back of his shell, if i do it right he sprawls out like he's basking, if i do it gently with my nails he jumps about - don't know if this means he likes it or not so i don't do this anymore.

Does anyone else's tort like having their shell rubbed?

my tort does that when i rub a nail (finger! lol) round the back of its shell, does it push its back legs up in the air and sway from side to side?... to me thats either of two things.... its tickling it, or its a mating thing! either that or im just plain simply wrong!

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Cheers,
Shaun

My Pets0.0.2 Hermanns Torts (Lucy/Loosey-Goosey and Millie/Millie Poo-Pops)

What I Want - Eventually!0.0.1 Bearded Dragon 0.0.1 Redfoot 0.0.1 Chihuahua

They are attracted to bright colors. This is more of a feeding response more than anything else.

They hear very well in the low frequency range.

When they get scared they first run then withdraw and pull into their shell if that does not work.

They are creatures of habit. Rearranging the furnature tends to disorient them.

They are reptiles... I'm not sure the 'like' anything.

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Ed @ not allowed to post a link
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

Yeah he does! First or all he just jumps around in circles then he does that, it looks as though it's tickling, i hope it is... Don't want him to think i'm coming on to him LOL.

are you sure he is a he? cos if he's a she, then that is the spot where the he would be mounting!

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Cheers,
Shaun

My Pets0.0.2 Hermanns Torts (Lucy/Loosey-Goosey and Millie/Millie Poo-Pops)

What I Want - Eventually!0.0.1 Bearded Dragon 0.0.1 Redfoot 0.0.1 Chihuahua

Well they certainly like certain tastes and not others I know this for a fact.