Through Their Shells?

[laramie]

I am just curious, can torts feel through their shells? Like when I pet Wilbur on his shell, can he feel it?

 

[jeffbens0n]

I doubt it...but if you tap his shell lightly, I'm sure he can feel that...

 

[Utah Lynn]

I am just curious, can torts feel through their shells? Like when I pet Wilbur on his shell, can he feel it?

Yes they can. It's part of their rib cage. Look at the anatomy of a tortoise.

 

[Tony the tank]

If I rub Tonys shell he does a little dance for me....so I will say yes..they can fee through there shell..

 

[laramie]

Yes they can. It's part of their rib cage. Look at the anatomy of a tortoise.

Thanks Lynn,
you are so knowledgable.

 

[dmarcus]

If I rub Tonys shell he does a little dance for me....so I will say yes..they can fee through there shell..

I agree, like Maggie says.. They do the hootchie cootchie dance...

 

[Maggie Cummings]

They do the Hooooootchie Cootchie!!!(Singing the song in my head)

I believe they feel scratches more than they can feel pats. Sometimes Bob will go under a tree and rub his carapace back and forth against a low hanging branch. I have seen this with others also. So they must itch also...I guess...

 

[TurtleTortoise]

Yep, I think all turtles and tortoises can.

 

[babylove6635]

YEPER THEY CAN

 

[AnthonyC]

That is AWESOME! I figured that they could feel something, kinda like pressure, the way it feels if you scratch the top of your fingernail w/another finger nail. I know 3 tortoises that are getting belly rubs!!!

 

[CtTortoiseMom]

I not only think they can feel it but I think they like it. When I rub vita-shell on Princess Leia she stretch's all out of her shell and it seems like I am giving her a message.

 

[StudentoftheReptile]

Go to youtube and search for "tortoise dance." Indeed they can feel through the shell!

 

[pdrobber]

I still wonder though, are there actual nerves just right there or are they feeling the vibration as your nail scratches along the minute ridges on their shell? Or if you pet them, are they feeling the force and weight down on them? (even if very gently). Maybe along growth ridges between scutes nerves are closer to the surface but on the middle of a scute I'm not so sure.

 

[zesty_17]

I am just curious, can torts feel through their shells? Like when I pet Wilbur on his shell, can he feel it?

yes. there are nerve endings and blood supply in the shell. I train giants using 2 different types of touches from very light tactile touch to a tap and each one responds to this.

 

[Madkins007]

Put on a properly fitted bike helmet and touch, pat, scratch, etc it. The sensations you feel are similar to what the tortoise would feel- although they are probably a bit more sensitive than you are.

 

[pdrobber]

Put on a properly fitted bike helmet and touch, pat, scratch, etc it. The sensations you feel are similar to what the tortoise would feel- although they are probably a bit more sensitive than you are.

that's what I was thinking. just a better way of describing it.

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

I am just curious, can torts feel through their shells? Like when I pet Wilbur on his shell, can he feel it?

yes. there are nerve endings and blood supply in the shell. I train giants using 2 different types of touches from very light tactile touch to a tap and each one responds to this.

...

 

[Laura]

especially in the new growth areas... i think that is the most sensitive areas.