Tortoise intelligence

Atlas.thetortoise

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I’ve always wondered if there’s an intellectual difference amongst tortoise species. In other words, is one species of tortoise more intelligent than the other?

Sort of like how tortoise “personalities” vary from one species to another.

What are your thoughts?
 

orv

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It is clear to me, after observing our CDTs for a number of years, that they are creatures of repetitive behavior, in that they live lives of routine (but so do I, for the most part, hmmm), doing the same thing on a daily basis as long as the ambient temperatures remain consistent. Their behavior does change in relationship to the seasons. They also respond to us as presenters of food, or to us should we invade their habitat. How much intelligence does this represent? I don't know, clearly not as much as my dog, but probably more than myself. What can I say? I do not have first hand experience with any tortoises other than our CDTs.
 

TammyJ

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....and this repetitive behaviour basically ensures their survival and reproduction.
Just like us. Hmmmmmmm. Kind of.
 

orv

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You know, my wife expects certain things of me, and I of her. After 48 years of marriage and interacting. . . we just know things. They don't necessarily require intelligence. My wife would give a harty amen to that. Intelligence requires the ability to reason beyond simple cognitive behaviors. The wonderful pictures ALDABRAMAN posts seem to portray love, but although our tortoises to seem to enjoy interacting with us, I'm pretty sure that it isn't love. Love requires the ability and desire to intercede on the part of one for another without the expectation of anything in return. Tortoises are not capable of this sort of display. I realize that I've gotten off the path toward intelligence, but the ability to show love requires some level of intelligence beyond the level of hormonal response. The line between instinct and intelligence may be a fine one, but to the best of my intellect, the ability to truly love may be the deciding factor.
 

TammyJ

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You know, my wife expects certain things of me, and I of her. After 48 years of marriage and interacting. . . we just know things. They don't necessarily require intelligence. My wife would give a harty amen to that. Intelligence requires the ability to reason beyond simple cognitive behaviors. The wonderful pictures ALDABRAMAN posts seem to portray love, but although our tortoises to seem to enjoy interacting with us, I'm pretty sure that it isn't love. Love requires the ability and desire to intercede on the part of one for another without the expectation of anything in return. Tortoises are not capable of this sort of display. I realize that I've gotten off the path toward intelligence, but the ability to show love requires some level of intelligence beyond the level of hormonal response. The line between instinct and intelligence may be a fine one, but to the best of my intellect, the ability to truly love may be the deciding factor.
Love is often really another word for "need" and our pets generally "need" us and we like to take it as love! Naturally.
I agree with what you said! And I like how you put it.
 

Tom

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Love is often really another word for "need" and our pets generally "need" us and we like to take it as love! Naturally.
I agree with what you said! And I like how you put it.
I don't think our tortoises need "us" in particular. They just need someone or something to drop food in and keep their water relatively clean. Maybe change a bulb as needed. I don't think they care one bit who or what drops the food into their enclosure. An automated robot could do it. This is why I don't call it love. Anyone can go drop food in front of my tortoises and their reaction is the same. They eat it.
 

TammyJ

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I don't think our tortoises need "us" in particular. They just need someone or something to drop food in and keep their water relatively clean. Maybe change a bulb as needed. I don't think they care one bit who or what drops the food into their enclosure. An automated robot could do it. This is why I don't call it love. Anyone can go drop food in front of my tortoises and their reaction is the same. They eat it.
Right Tom. I said our pets "generally need us" and we "like to take it as love". I don't think they "love" us either - not the reptiles anyway.
But they do need us, or whatever represents care and food to them. And some of them can and do recognise our voices and make the association with food.
 

orv

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I don't think our tortoises need "us" in particular. They just need someone or something to drop food in and keep their water relatively clean. Maybe change a bulb as needed. I don't think they care one bit who or what drops the food into their enclosure. An automated robot could do it. This is why I don't call it love. Anyone can go drop food in front of my tortoises and their reaction is the same. They eat it.
Tom, my wife and I just returned yesterday following a four day trip. As I went over to our tortoise enclosure, our male CDT older female both came charging over. The neighbor who had been caring for them during our absence, as she has been for years, was shagrinned that they wouldn't come to her that way. I wasn't bringing food over as yet, but here they came. Perhaps voice recognition? I don't know. It isn't love, but there seems to be some sort of bond.
 

spacercaser

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Tom, my wife and I just returned yesterday following a four day trip. As I went over to our tortoise enclosure, our male CDT older female both came charging over. The neighbor who had been caring for them during our absence, as she has been for years, was shagrinned that they wouldn't come to her that way. I wasn't bringing food over as yet, but here they came. Perhaps voice recognition? I don't know. It isn't love, but there seems to be some sort of bond.

The Galapagos tortoises I worked with for about two years seemed to recognize me when I walked by the guest area, they usually ignore guests. One of my geckos tends to wake up and come out to look at me when I get home from work and start talking. According to my family he ignores other voices (and that might be true since he doesn’t come out if I’m quiet). I think it’s more that reptiles recognize their primary caretaker(s) and associate them with getting food, or possibly with interesting things happening (that gecko likes to watch tv and people moving around as long as they’re not too close to him).
 

orv

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The Galapagos tortoises I worked with for about two years seemed to recognize me when I walked by the guest area, they usually ignore guests. One of my geckos tends to wake up and come out to look at me when I get home from work and start talking. According to my family he ignores other voices (and that might be true since he doesn’t come out if I’m quiet). I think it’s more that reptiles recognize their primary caretaker(s) and associate them with getting food, or possibly with interesting things happening (that gecko likes to watch tv and people moving around as long as they’re not too close to him).
Whether its for food, attention, or something else, those tortoises we've cared for longest seem to recognize us and come over to where we are. Visitors are frequently ignored, even if they come bearing gifts of food. Ahhh. . . but a rose or gazania in the hands of my self or my wife brings them a-running.
 

TammyJ

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Right Tom. I said our pets "generally need us" and we "like to take it as love". I don't think they "love" us either - not the reptiles anyway.
But they do need us, or whatever represents care and food to them. And some of them can and do recognise our voices and make the association with food.
Tammy, what are you talking about? Can you still say you don't think they "love" us after you just watched that video with the human and the obviousy enthralled:):<3: aldabra??? Of course not!!!
 

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