How To Know If Your Turtle Loves You or Not?

When it comes to pets, cuddles and good morning kisses are often associated with the furry friends we keep in our homes. However, reptiles like turtles display these same qualities and should be just as loved and cared for.

How to know if your turtle loves you? If you’re seeing signs of affection from your turtle, such as rubbing, nuzzling, or chirping, this is a good thing. It means that your turtle enjoys his time with you. Most turtles prefer to be held, but your turtle may also enjoy being rubbed on the head or shell. This is a sign of affection and definitely means that your turtle loves you.

There are numerous ways to tell if your turtle loves you. However, reptiles are complex creatures that may not always express their emotions as clearly as dogs or cats do, but like with any two-way relationship, both parties need to show their love and commitment.

We’ll explore why turtles are so unique. We’ll also teach you the different ways you can connect with your turtle to make it loves you.

You have started petting a tortoise or a baby of tortoise but the question, if they feel the love is no letting you have a peaceful sleep, then I am glad to say you are at the right place.

I’m gonna bust the million-dollar question, Do tortoise and turtle can feel the love? But before that, it is important to know Do Turtles Recognize Their Owner? Because to realize your tortoise or turtle’s love for you, you must know that if your tortoise knows you or not. Let’s find out

Do Turtles Recognize Their Owner?

The answer you will get from a turtle expert is yes!!!

This may come as a surprise to many but domesticated animals like dogs, cats, and even turtles can be a part of your family if given proper love, care, and attention. Turtles recognize their owner when they smell them or see them. They become overjoy and happy.

How Turtle Recognize Their Owner?

The turtles possess the unique characteristic of the smell which distinguishes the owner from animals and other notable people. Turtles have an amazing sense of smell with which they can recognize their owners when left with the owner for some time in the beginning. They have two eyeballs, which are quite small in comparison to their size. Because of their size and unavailability of vision, turtles move only using their nose and sense of touch.

There is no doubt that the reptile keepers have various opinions, but if you ask me who had pet a tortoise for the past 4 years, I’ll say they do feel the love but it is a daunting task to understand real emotion of a scaly little guy.

How To Know If Your Turtle Or Tortoise Loves You?

Yes, it’s not a myth. You can actually tell if your turtle is loving and wants to be with you! It’s all about the signs you see.

They Love To Be Close To You

First of all, turtles and tortoises are animals that love to be close to their owners just like any other pet would enjoy the company of its owner. All you need to do is give them a little bit of your time and they’ll be by your side. You can tell that one of these lovely pets loves you when it crawls up the glass side of its tank and then flips over onto its shell so you can rub its belly.

Stare At You

Turtles and tortoises are intelligent creatures that bond strongly with their keepers. When they’re in love with you, they’ll explore their habitat and show affection by watching you, finding the best spot to be close to you.

Many turtles and tortoises show affection by watching their human keepers and exploring the area near where they’re doing something. He is always there, crawling around your garden. Every time you see him, he stops and stares at you with his beady eyes.

Extends His/Her Neck Towards You

It is almost impossible not to be awed by these slow-moving creatures. If you gently rub the tortoise’s neck, you will see him stretch even further. If he fully extends his long neck toward you and makes to lick you, then that is an obvious sign of affection.

If your tortoise is happy, it will be delighted to act silly, silly, silly! What could be more fun than a good head bop? Tortoises and turtles use their heads for just about everything, including scratching an itch. As they get excited, a tortoise or turtle may start bashing its head into things: its food dish; its water bowl; you, if you stand still long enough. This could mean that he or she really loves you. 

Touch Your Hand By Nose

I’d love to say that turtles are lovely, empathetic creatures that have feelings similar to our own. I’ve had a pet tortoise since I was 7 years old. At times, when I’ve held other tortoises in my hands, they’ll touch their nose to my hand. If it snuggles up to you, touches its nose to your hand, and spends time with you, then it probably loves you.

Poke You

How do you know if your turtle loves you? Well, if he bumps against you to get some pets and doesn’t mind that you see him, he probably does. Turtles are known for being true friends to their families. He will come to you for some attention or affection when he sees that you care for him. You can encourage this behavior by talking to him and showing him that you see him. As you rub his head, pet his shell, or feed him, he will remain near you.

Have You Ever Seen A Happy Turtle?

I did. Now, you are trying to figure out by yourself what how exactly a happy turtle or tort will exactly look like?

• A happy and satisfied turtle will unwind calmly at a fixed spot with his head and limbs out of the shell. And, if your turtle is head over heels for you, he may look for you around in his happiness.
• Like our furry friends, tortoise or turtles also express their emotions. They may not express their happiness by wagging tails or rubbing against your legs but you cannot stop admiring it when that little scaly baby comes in search of you.

So if your tortoise is having a gala time while swimming, lazing, and having their food properly, then give a pat on your back, my dear reptile owner, you have done a splendid job in petting a tortoise or a turtle.

Don’t worry if your tortoise is not showing any of these signs. We can still make him happy and in the end, he cannot resist falling in love with you.

How To Make A Turtle Or Tortoise Happy If You Want Him To Love You?

• Gift your tortoise a nice and comfortable home.

Tortoise or turtle is one of the most active reptiles. They enjoy swimming as much as basking in the sun. If you wish to keep your reptile buddy happy then you must ensure him a cozy and spacious house so your turtle or tortoise has enough space to continue these activities.

• If you want to walk the extra mile for your pet tort I have another quirky idea. Make a beach for him.

Tortoise has dual habitat. They enjoy being underwater and also love to bask in sun on completely dry land. So if you can provide your tortoise or turtle with both the environment you can notice a significant improvement in your tortoise or turtles’ health.

And you know, what happens when you make someone happy? They start liking and loving you. Tortoise or turtles are also no exception. If you can make him happy, your little scaly friend will also shower you with unconditional love.

I’ve got good news for you if you’re a turtle lover like me. It turns out that it is relatively easy to learn how to pet a turtle. I spent hours doing research and found easy steps that will help you exercise your love of animals while cuddling up with your favorite reptile friend.

Easy Steps To Pet Your Turtle or Tortoise So That It Starts Loving You

• Don’t Hold Your Turtle From Back

If you hold a turtle from behind, it won’t see you and will get frightened. If you want to handle a turtle, you need to be quiet. Turtles are shy and prefer quiet tranquillity. Before touching a turtle, place it in front of your gaze. You may stroke the upper shell very gently with the tips of your index fingers while holding its limbs.

In a 2009 study, researchers at the University of Tennessee found that 25-33% of bites that occurred in the wild were the result of people approaching wild turtles from behind and disturbing them. Turtles can be very territorial!

• Gently Rub Or Rub Its Shell

Petting a turtle’s shell or rubbing a brush across its shell can calm your pet. Most turtles are very sensitive and extremely anxious when they first come into the unfamiliar and unwelcoming space of captivity. By offering special attention, you can help your new pet acclimate to its new home.

The central principle of the best way to pet a turtle is that you are doing it for your own enjoyment rather than expecting any particular response from the turtle. If you enjoy touching the turtle, then be persistent, try different things, and eventually, you will find something that works!

• Don’t Handle The Turtle Too Much

Be careful not to handle the turtle too much. Over-handling can be stressful for the turtle and can cause behavioral problems (like biting). If your turtle becomes unhappy or begins behaving in a way you don’t like, give it a short break from petting, then try again later.

If you want to handle a turtle, make sure it’s warm enough, and then approach with confidence. Don’t be scared or hesitant. Go right up to the turtle, squat down, and look her directly in the eye. Turtles are smart, but they don’t lie. Once they get to know you, most turtles learn to recognize you and will be happy when they see you coming. 

Summing Up

It is indeed recommended to have a pet turtle for anyone who really loves turtles. It will be a good idea to take proper care of your pet turtle, because that is the only way that they would live longer, give you company, and serve as your best friends. Your turtle needs you to be a good parent and take good care of it. Your tortoise loves you.