Heights

[morloch]

I was noticing when I take out the tortoises for a stroll that when they come to a small drop,, whether it be a curb, etc, that they sense the drop and turn around, or just look down first then turn around. Yet with the red ears , they just take the plunge,even without water! Lol, is this true that a tortoise has a better depth perception?.probably a stupid question , but curious,

 

[mainey34]

Not sure, but my sulcata takes the plunge. I keep telling her she is going to loose her jaw if she keeps doing that.

 

[morloch]

That's too funny! As long as she doesn't hurt herself! Im going to try and research it some more.

 

[Cowboy_Ken]

My understanding with this is as follows; water turtles are programmed to, “take the plunge" the idea being without this they would not “bale" into water when danger approaches. Land turtles and tortoises wade and see ledges as bad things because for them, that supplies them with their survival. Makes sense to me, but there are always exceptions, ( though I've yet to see a slider with floaties!).

 

[morloch]

Lol! Makes sense!

 

[Baoh]

My understanding with this is as follows; water turtles are programmed to, “take the plunge" the idea being without this they would not “bale" into water when danger approaches. Land turtles and tortoises wade and see ledges as bad things because for them, that supplies them with their survival. Makes sense to me, but there are always exceptions, ( though I've yet to see a slider with floaties!).

That is correct. For aquatics which bask on objects hanging over the water, jumping is to safety. For terrestrials which encounter drop-offs, backing away from a ledge prevents harm.

As a child, I used to set my Testudo babies on tables and watch them look over the edge, do an expression like "Whoa!" and back away from it with forelimbs extended. Of course, every once in a while there is lower tortoise IQ animal that thinks attempted flight is a nifty idea and required fast hands. Those probably get weeded out in nature when the opportunities arise. I have seen the occasional Hermann's tortoise go over a cliff into the Agean in Greece to meet their deaths. Not the shiniest pebbles on the beach, those few.

 

[Cowboy_Ken]

And that was the overall demise of Lonesome George's original group I think. They kept falling into crevices.

 

[morloch]

Interesting,,, I watch my guy look carefully over any ledges, ( me being there at the time of course). He carefully turns around, yet, I pretty much made his home very flat. Being afraid of him flipping over while no ones home, kind of ironic! But better to be safe , then very sorry!!

 

[AZtortMom]

That's funny! My Moe is the adventurous one where he will just take the plunge down a little hill, while his little sister Jay will just look down the hill and turn away and find another way down