Michael Malone
Active Member
I watch him when he sleeps and sometimes his little legs will get to moving. It just makes me think what is he dreaming about lol. Anyone else ever think the same thing or does ur tort move around a lot when they sleep?
I wonder what torts dream about.
- Thread starter Michael Malone
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Same thing goes for dogs. My dog even yips, growls and barks in her sleep. Very disconcerting.
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I've never noticed. I've never considered that they would dream.
My dog does dream. Sometimes she'll have a whole conversation with herself. But I think most mammals do so.
My dog does dream. Sometimes she'll have a whole conversation with herself. But I think most mammals do so.
Neither Elsa nor Jacques appear to move when they sleep. But I believe anything with a brain that is capable of learning and memory must dream in some way. This is a fun idea. 
I do! My dogs and cats have always done it! Every single one I have had. Torts are little harder to watch bcs mine are usually in their caves at nite but the times I have been able to watch they assume different positions and do move, blink they eyes in their sleep. I totally believe they form memories of their experience which then find reflection in their sleep brain patterns
I totally agree with you. Where there is a brain, there is some learning, memory, feelings, perceptions... (of fear, pain, contentment, energy and fatigue.. etc) there are very likely to be dreams! I'm going to have to pay more attention to mine sleeping! Very interesting topic! Thanks fir bringing it up!Neither Elsa nor Jacques appear to move when they sleep. But I believe anything with a brain that is capable of learning and memory must dream in some way. This is a fun idea.
My tortoise's head (and brain) is so tiny, I can't imagine anything other than food or sleep is on his mind
shelledfrens
New Member
Hm, Ive never thought about it. I wonder if they even dream. You never know!
This is what I was thinking too. More than wondering what they dream about, I am wondering if they dream at all. I don't know the answer.
One theory (explanation) of dreaming says the dreaming is an extension of the learning process. There has been enough study to show considerable evidence that all vertebrates probably "dream" and the brain is using that time to solidify some learnings of the day. If we are to accept that, then I could conclude that when I see my dog's legs "running" while asleep, he may well be chasing that ball I threw today for him. I see his tail wagging in a dream it could be of my return home and greeting.
Rats have been studied and shown to have all the brain waves of dreaming. Matching closely the same patterns that existed earlier that day in maze tests but in a much more compressed timeline. It indeed seems likely that dreaming is fortification of learning.
In that vein, it would then be logical to see that a tortoise may "dream" of food locations and how to get there. Predator threats, soaks in tubs!!
Interesting food for thought!
Rats have been studied and shown to have all the brain waves of dreaming. Matching closely the same patterns that existed earlier that day in maze tests but in a much more compressed timeline. It indeed seems likely that dreaming is fortification of learning.
In that vein, it would then be logical to see that a tortoise may "dream" of food locations and how to get there. Predator threats, soaks in tubs!!
Interesting food for thought!
Thanks Mark for putting it in a "nice package" for us. It totally makes sense.
I would like to think they can dream. Other than flying or moving fast what else could they be dreaming about that they don't already do (other than nightmares). Getting up whenever you feel like it, having food provided for you, laying out in the sun, soaking/swimming in some water, lol.
But they do seem to be able to remember and they don't have a memory of a gold fish. So if they have active memories, it would make sense they could dream.
But they do seem to be able to remember and they don't have a memory of a gold fish. So if they have active memories, it would make sense they could dream.
eric joranson
Well-Known Member
I was under the impression that movement of the legs while sleeping was to aid in respiration. And if they do dream; it has to be what they think about when awake; Food or mating.......
Ivan Sarbinov
New Member
When my RT Boris sleeps he moves his head left and right as if hes having nightmares
Maitaimommy
Active Member
Great question/topic. I've never seen my tort move his legs but I certainly like the concept.
Maitaimommy
Active Member
Move his legs while sleeping
When my dog would move his legs in his sleep, my husband always said he was chasing rabbits in his dreams.
When Charlie is asleep, he looks dead! His neck stretched out and his head just laying there looks freaky. I would imagine he is dreaming about food since he spends most of his awake time either eating or walking from one eating spot to another.
When Charlie is asleep, he looks dead! His neck stretched out and his head just laying there looks freaky. I would imagine he is dreaming about food since he spends most of his awake time either eating or walking from one eating spot to another.
