Hey /an/. I've become curious about tortoises recently. How smart are they? I don't intend to teach one tricks or anything, but can they be socialized with? Are they interested in any toys or games? Do they like human contact at all, or are they one of those animals that doesn't really have any business being a pet but people like having "exotic" animals so now they're everywhere?
Also, tortoise/turtle/terrapin/miscellaneous armored reptile thread, I guess.
>>2070526
No. They can learn to associate you with food and come towards you, but there is nothing else they feel about humans.
Some people will tell you "reptiles aren't capable of complex emotions" and try to back it but by saying "muh reptilian brain" but they're wrong. Tortoises are very capable of forming an emotional bond with their keeper.
>>2070576
They don't even form bonds with their own kind, fuck off.
>>2070526
I think anoles and iguanas are more sociable to people than and shelled reptile.
javascript:quote('2070526');
so warm~
>>2070554
Some tortoises like neckrubs.
>>2070753
When tortoises look like they're enjoying something, they're actually in intense pain that deeply scars them in both the material and metaphysical senses.
>>2070554
Yes,you are right.
>>2070777
birds
>>2070777
Catsnake?
>>2070802
>Being this retardedly assmad
Some tortoises pretty definitely enjoy neckrubs and scratches. I've had aldabras do pretty much everything a tortoise is physically capable of to get me to do that.
Sorry you have a warped view because you probably have only been around red eared sliders or something.
>>2070836
> tortoises pretty definitely enjoy neckrubs and scratches
and you're able to tell this because?
> I've had aldabras do pretty much everything a tortoise is physically capable of to get me to do that.
no you haven't.
you've been watching cartoons for too long.
>>2070802
>>2070836
Fuck sakes why do people still respond to this sort of shit... Ignore it and move on.
>>2070777
>What's another good choice for a companion when you live someplace with a "no dog or cat" rule?
Tegus make great companion lizards, they're affectionate, smart and with a wicked sense of smell. But if you can't have a dog or cat I doubt they'll let you have a 4ft lizard.
>>2070840
tegus aren't affectionate.
they're clingy though, but trying to use you as a heat mat doesn't count as affection.
>>2070841
Tegus will want to be with you even if they're warmed up and have a full tummy. They have no need to use you as a giant heat mat when they're already warmed up and the ambient room temperature is optimal. But they'll still want to climb on you.
As kinda related side note: They're also partial endotherms (warm blooded) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4737272/
>>2070843
>Tegus will want to be with you
that doesn't mean they're affectionate or like you.
parasites also do that.
>They're also partial endotherms
I know.
>>2070844
I attribute human-like characteristics to my car. How does this make you feel?
>>2070837
>and you're able to tell this because?
Please explain what else a large tortoise walking up to you and stretching it's neck all the way out while just standing there is. Why the hell else would it just keep sitting there ignoring food/whatever else for as long as you were doing it?
I'm not saying tortoises form complex emotional bonds with people, but you're retarded if you think an animal can't enjoy something as simple as scratching an area they can't reach.
Good job whining and trolling and posting no evidence beside "W-WELL I THINK"
>>2070844
>parasites and tegus have the same thought process
Oh, you're baiting. I get it.
>>2070856
>no evidence beside "W-WELL I THINK"
the irony
>>2070867
I have actual experience with the animals. You've yet to give any sort of anything past spewing a bunch of bullshit.
You're retarded if you think tortoises aren't capable of reacting to positive stimulus.
>>2070874
>I have actual experience with the animals
source: your ass
>>2070856
>Please explain what else a large tortoise walking up to you and stretching it's neck all the way out while just standing there is.
no idea.
>Why the hell else would it just keep sitting there ignoring food/whatever else for as long as you were doing it?
no idea.
I don't know, you don't know either, but atleast I don't pretend to know like you do.
>Good job whining and trolling and posting no evidence beside "W-WELL I THINK"
ironic.
>>2070859
>thought process
>tortoises
lmao.
>>2070874
>I have actual experience with the animals
anecdotes.
> reacting to positive stimulus.
animals don't differentiate stimuli.
it isn't positive or negative, it's all just stimuli.
>>2070881
>anthropomorphising tortoises.
>>2070780
>a girlfriend
Ouch
Oh hey, bugguy finally lost his trip...neat
>>2070777
I think that rats are somehow intelligent enough to be teached tricks.
>>2070612
Based on your hostility I doubt you create bonds with your own kind either.
>>2070915
that's not me.
