Tortoises use a combination of vocal, visual clues, and smells to communicate with other tortoises. They may also communicate through touch, either by exploring with their mouths, bumping into something, or stepping on it to feel under their feet.
How Tortoises Communicate: Tort Sounds, Scents & Posture Read More »
A tortoise and a turtle cannot mate to produce viable offspring. They are genetically incompatible. Even if a tortoise and a turtle where helped to mate by scientific intervention, the offspring would be prone to significant health problems.
Can Tortoises and Turtles Mate? Read More »
Tortoises are reptiles because they have scales and dry skin, they are cold-blooded, and they are descended from dinosaurs.
So What Makes Tortoises Reptiles? Read More »
Tortoises, turtles and other reptiles do not need vaccinations or frequent vet visits, but they might need a little help sometimes. Tortoises and turtles do need some vet care but not as often as a cat or dog.
Do Tortoises and Turtles Need Vaccinations? Read More »
Tortoises can be potty trained to some extent but it’s not an easy task. Potty training tortoises is more like convincing them to do a natural behavior when you ask and less about teaching something completely new.
Can a Tortoise be Potty Trained? Read More »
Tortoises do not smell bad and they don’t have much of a natural odour. At most, they may smell musty or just have an outdoorsy, musky smell. However, their enclosures can sometimes become breeding grounds for bacteria and other odor-causing organisms if you don’t clean them well enough. A stinky tortoise could be a sign of infection or illness.
Do Tortoises Smell Bad? A Guide to Pet Tortoises Odours Read More »
It is absolutely NOT safe to paint a tortoise shell. Painting a tortoise’s shell poses a lot of dangers and it can even be fatal.
No! Please Don’t Paint That Tortoise’s Shell! Read More »
A tortoise can choke and die on a variety of objects. Hatchings are especially susceptible to choking as they haven’t learned what’s safe to eat and how much they can fit in their mouths. Older tortoises or those with other health conditions may choke as well.
Can a Tortoise Choke? (9 Must-Read Vital Tips) Read More »
Tortoises do have night vision, and are able to see in the dark when they need to. This is due to the extreme amounts of rod cells they have in their retinas in comparison to humans as well as most other animals.
Do Tortoises See in the Dark? Here’s What the Science Says Read More »
Tortoises are crazy cool animals, but a lot of people are confused about their anatomy and what goes on in that shell. Consider this your one-stop-shop for all questions on what makes a tortoise a tortoise. In this article we will talk about all the crazy and not so crazy things that may be on, or in, your wonderful pet tortoises.
Tortoise Anatomy: What Tortoises Are Made of & Why Read More »