can tortoises hear

The Law and the Tortoise

My neighbor has three tortoises and needs to get rid of two. Where do they take them? At present there is no place to drop off unwanted tortoises. Please have them ask around for a person who wants them as pets. Tortoise Group will be happy to advise the new custodian on setting up a habitat.

I would like to adopt a female tortoise or a couple of hatchlings. Tortoise Group is allowed to adopt only one tortoise per household to avoid breeding. Tortoise Group cannot adopt a tortoise under 4 inches shell length due to Federal Law.

I’ve been told that it’s illegal for me to have a tortoise. Is that true? It is legal for you to be a tortoise custodian. It is illegal to take a tortoise from the wild. Register your tortoise online to become an official custodian.

If the desert tortoise is listed as a threatened species at both the federal and state levels, how can it be available for adoption? When the Mojave Desert population of the desert tortoise was listed as endangered in August 1989, the wild tortoise populations received protection under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (amended). Those tortoises legally held in captivity prior to the listing date were considered pre-Act tortoises, and are not protected under the Act. However, tortoises hatched in captivity after the listing date are protected under the Act. They may be maintained in captivity without a federal or state permit, but we ask that you register on the Tortoise Group’s website. Tortoises may be adopted, but only through Tortoise Group.

I am moving out of Nevada. May I take my tortoise? No. The tortoise must remain in Nevada.

I am moving to northern Nevada. May I take my tortoise? Yes. Please look on our website at the care section titled “cold weather” or contact us. Special care is needed for tortoises kept in northern Nevada–outside the natural range of tortoises.

If I see a wild tortoise in the desert what may I do and what shouldn’t I do? Watch wild tortoises from a distance. If you are too close, the tortoise will pull in and there will be nothing to watch. Do not touch.

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Habitat and Burrow Questions

How do I to build a burrow above ground? Check out the burrow building suggestions on TorotiseGroup.org.

Will a tortoise eat fake grass? We hear that tortoises try fake grass. Soon they will find it not worthwhile.

My male tortoise keeps bothering my female. What can I do? Please separate the sexes to avoid breeding. She will be quite stressed and may become ill under those conditions. Please avoid breeding as there are many pet tortoises needing homes. Please contact us if you’re interested in having them sterilized. We may be able to help.

I just got two hatchlings. Now what? See the section on hatchlings in desert tortoise care. Prepare an outdoor habitat for them. In the meantime, you can keep them indoors temporarily in something not slippery that has a small “burrow” and water. Have a place to take them outside where they can go in and out of the sunlight as needed. Email Tortoise Group for help.

I am using a dog igloo for a burrow. Is that okay? No. A burrow needs to be snug with no air circulation and underground for insulation. Your tortoise can either overheat in the summer or freeze in the winter in an improper burrow.

I have 2″ of dirt on the board over cement blocks. Is that enough insulation? No. You need at least 1-2 feet of earth on an aboveground burrow.

Where can I find answers to care questions? Care information can be found in the Care section of the website in our monthly meeting videos. We have a hotline available for emergencies.

I need a vet for my pet tortoise. See our page of Veterinarians with tortoise experience.

We’re going to do some traveling. What should we do with the tortoise? Leave it at home. Have someone come by every few days to check to give it food. It will be fine browsing.

What temperature should the water be for soaking my tortoise? Luke warm, in a pan large enough to sit in, and not deeper than the tortoise can easily lift the head out. Let them soak for 20-30 minutes.

My tortoise isn’t going into the burrow at night this spring. That’s okay. The burrow is still colder than the outside air and he is trying to warm up. He probably is sleeping under a little cover.

My tortoise is sleeping outside at night this summer. That’s normal. The nighttime air is cooler than the inside of the burrow.

Is my 2-year old tortoise big enough to live outside now? Your tortoise MUST live outside. Its shell and organs will not develop properly living indoors even with lamps and indoor habitat. Wild tortoises live outside their entire lives. The sun provides nutrients that no lamp can replicate.

Is it okay if my bunnies share the tortoise burrow? Yes, as long as your tortoise has free access and the bunnies don’t take up the best places.

It’s raining and my burrow is flooding! Quick, dig it up! Do not call us first! Dig! Call us to advise you on building a new one. Refer to directions for resuscitation if your tortoise was under water long.

I just pulled my tortoise out of the pool and I’m afraid she’s dead. Don’t give up hope! First, hold the tortoise upside-down, open the mouth, and press on the flanks. Next try mouth to mouth resuscitation.

It’s late July, very hot, and I’m worried because I haven’t seen my tortoise is days. Your tortoise is probably waiting out the heat in the relative cool of the burrow (a period called estivation). If it’s a long hot spell, he may stay in the entire time. Look for him as soon as the weather cools.

I see bubbles coming out of my tortoise’s nose. What’s that? Your tortoise is probably sick with Upper Respiratory Tract Disease. It needs to visit the vet.

How do I mark my tortoise so I don’t lose it? Your phone number can be placed on a specific place on the shell. You or Tortoise Group can do it at one of our health assesment/microchipping clinics or you can have a tortoise veterinarian microchip the tortoise.

Will someone from TG come speak to our club? Sure. Call the Hotline at 702-739-8043.

My tortoise isn’t out yet and I’m worried We’ll come with the Snooper that will look deep into the burrow. Request our “snooper” service online now.

How can I adopt a tortoise? Submit an Adoption Application online. We’ll arrange an Adoption visit to talk about creating a tortoise habitat in your yard BEFORE you make any changes. Only one tortoise is allowed per habitat to avoid the possibility of breeding.

Can I adopt a tortoise if I have a dog? Sure. If you can control and trust your dog, it makes a good companion.

We have a pool, but we’re going to fence it. Can we adopt? Yes, as long as the tortoise does not have access to hazards.

I have been given a desert tortoise. Now what do I do? Read the care section of this website then request a yard consultation from Tortoise Group. In the meantime, make a temporary place for the tortoise to get out of the sun, provide water, and buy some Tortoise Food.

I found a tortoise. What do I do? Most likely it is someone’s escaped pet if found in a neighborhood. Please read “I Found/Lost a tortoise” and report the tortoise through our online form. You can see any vet to check for a microchip for free. Place flyers around the area you found it as well as knock on doors and leave flyers at the homes closest to where you found it. Post on Tortoise Group’s Facebook and other online lost and found animal sites.

I lost a tortoise. What do I do? Visit “I Found/Lost a tortoise” to look for your tortoise and report their absence. Place flyers around your home and talk to neighbors. Post on Tortoise Group’s Facebook and other online lost and found animal sites.

I want to adopt a second tortoise. I think mine is lonely. Adoption regulations permit only one tortoise per habitat to avoid the huge problem of tortoise breeding in southern Nevada. Tortoises are loners and do not need the company of another tortoise. As you know, they enjoy sniffing around in the habitat, and they love your company and that of your pets. As of May 1, 2013, NEW custodians are limited to one tortoise to avoid breeding by a Nevada State Regulation (Regulation R004-13).

I’m afraid to have Tortoise Group come to my house if I call for advice. They might not like my habitat, and I’ve heard that they could take my tortoise. Is it true? Absolutely not: There is no reason to be afraid to call Tortoise Group. We want your tortoise to stay right where it is. We’ll make suggestions on creating a wonderful, safe habitat for your tortoise. Request a Yard Consultation.

Understanding TORTOISE Behavior!

FAQ

Can tortoises hear you talk?

No, they don’t hear in the same way as us given they have no outer ear. They ‘hear’ through pitch and soundwaves. They will, however, recognise the soundwave vibrations of your voice and how their name ‘sounds’, if it’s said enough. But they won’t respond specifically to their name in that sense.

Do tortoises recognize their owners?

• Recognizing Individuals:

  Tortoises can learn to distinguish between different faces, especially their primary caregiver, who is often the one providing food and care. 

• Positive Associations:

  Tortoises quickly learn to associate their owners with positive experiences like feeding and handling, leading to a sense of comfort and security. 

• Not as Affectionate as Dogs:

  While tortoises may not display the same level of overt affection as dogs, they can still show signs of recognizing and preferring their owners. 

• Individual Differences:

  Just like humans, each tortoise has a unique personality, and some may be more social and outgoing than others. 

• Signs of Recognition:

  Some owners report that their tortoises will approach them for scratches, rub their shells against them, or even follow them around. 

• “Heirloom Pets”:

  African spurred tortoises, known for their long lifespans, are sometimes referred to as “heirloom pets” because of their longevity, and the need to be willed to family members. 

How good are tortoises hearing?

• Low-Frequency Focus:

  Tortoises are sensitive to low-frequency sounds and vibrations, potentially because they live on the ground and can detect these vibrations through their shell and feet. 

• Ground Vibrations:

  They can “hear” vibrations through the ground, allowing them to sense the presence of people or other animals nearby. 

• Audible Sounds:

  While not as acute as human hearing, tortoises can still hear airborne sounds, particularly low-pitched ones. 

• Learning and Association:

  Tortoises can learn to associate specific sounds with their owner’s presence or the delivery of food, as some studies indicate. 

• Limited Range:

  The range of frequencies a tortoise can hear is generally lower than that of humans, typically around 50-1000 Hz, according to a study published in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) (.gov). 

• No Outer Ear:

  Tortoises lack outer ears, which are a key component of human and mammalian hearing. 

Are tortoises sensitive to noise?

The sounds that we hear will not bother a turtle, because, they don’t hear like humans do. However, they feel vibrations of noise, and if you like to blast your stereo until the house shakes (something my neighbor does), your turtle will likely get agitated.

Do tortoises like music?

Tortoises enjoy music with low-frequency sounds such as piano, organ, bassoon, and bass guitar. They enjoy opera music, particularly when the performer has a bass-baritone range. It’s disputed whether tortoises love listening to music because there’s no proof that they do, but there’s also no evidence that they don’t.

Do tortoises have good hearing?

Each sense plays an important role in the tortoise’s physiological functioning, and there’s not one more important than another. Tortoises have decent hearing, but their survival doesn’t depend on their ability to hear necessarily. This explains why tortoises don’t have the best hearing when compared to other animals.

Do tortoises have ears?

Birds and reptiles especially are animals that have ears but they are covered and hard to see. So do tortoises have ears and can they hear? Tortoises can hear very well. They have ears that are covered by skin flaps. They can hear infrasound (low vibrations that humans cannot hear that are found on the lowest end of the sound spectrum).

Can tortoises hear low frequency sounds?

Tortoises can detect sounds between 10 and 182 Hz, so they can get lower than humans, which can only get to 20 Hz, but not as high as humans cap at 20,000 Hz. Tortoises can hear low-frequency sounds just fine but aren’t equipped for high-pitched noises. Fortunately, they don’t need to be.

Can tortoises hear higher frequencies than humans?

They can capture sound ranging from 10 to 182Hz. They rely on the vibrations of these sounds, so higher frequencies are not detected by tortoises but they can hear lower frequencies than even humans can. A human’s range of sound might be much larger, from 20 to 20,000Hz, but as you can see, tortoises can hear starting at a lower frequency than us.

How does a tortoise hear?

The flap covering their ear, the tympanum, is about .25 millimeters thick. It does not stop the tortoise from hearing, but instead allows them to detect vibrations more easily. Their middle ear then sends the vibrations to the inner ear, which is made up of tissue and sinuses.