Turtle Senses??

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  • jimbo_craig
    April 15, 2006 at 9:48 am #23682

    Hi All, I woke up early this morning (for me anyway….on a Saturday), and I had been wondering about this question, so I thought that I would throw it out there. How good can Turtles hear? Are they sensitive to loud vacuum cleaners or someone blasting their stereo’s in the next room?? Just wondering how good my little friends can hear. Anyone know or know of any studies that have been done? Also, how good do thier nose’s work. My 2 turtles seem to be able to smell pretty darn good. At least whenever I throw in a couple of algea wafers for the pleco’s, the turtles almost always “sniff” them out before the pleco’s find them! Any and all coments would be welcome. Thanks and HAPPY EASTER! Jimbo *just wondering in Wildwood (Missouri, that is)

    macrospilota_terrapin
    April 15, 2006 at 12:43 pm #23683

    Hi Jimbo, Not certain, but I think turtles have sensory glands that sense vibrations, but probably not the same frequency of sound we are used to though. Not sure if they actually need to hear in order to hunt in the wild. Their sense of smell is very good though. I’ve seen them sniff out food in little crevices. They probably use their sense of smell as the main tool in the wild to look for food since the water bed could be very murky. I would like to hear about any studies as well. Cheers, James — In diamondbackterrapins@yahoogroups.com, “jimbo_craig”

    Lisa Lee
    April 15, 2006 at 12:46 pm #23684

    Jim, if I remember right, water turts react to low frequency sounds and vibrations from their middle ear to the inner ear. Also they smell through the water, as they do that pulsating thing. Where they actually intake a bit of water through the nose then back out the mouth. You’ll have to research it, I bet there’s lots on the web about it. This is something I remember from a sea world visit,hehe. Lisa

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