are pet turtles affectionate?

Question

I have never had a pet turtle before, and I have always been curious to whether or not they are affectionate. I have heard that they have pretty long life spans. I am just curious to hear from people that have pet turtles if they like to be stroked or talked to or givin attention, or for the most part are they just pets you take care of and watch? Don't worry I am not thinking about getting one. I am a cat person, like I said I am just very curious.

Answer 1

My pet turtle loves to see me and gets excited when I'm in the room. My turtle recognizes me, and knows when I have food. So all in all, I think pet turtles are affectionate.

Answer 2

they are not very affectionate at all but can be handled without biting. I have 3 turtles (have had them for 4 years now) and they've grown quite big. They are red earred terapin turtles. I've got them when they were just babies. Anyway, affectionate towards me, not even once. You can pick them up and handle them no problem but they show no signs of affection. They are neat to have though. Especially when they hunt. They are in a 80 gallon tank with plastic clay rocks to rest on so when I put in some feeder fish, they go hunting! its really cool...

Sorry, getting a bit off topic but unfortunately, the answer is no.

Answer 3

A pet cat would be way more affectionate. Cat's really vary though, some are snotty and hiss a lot but some are major sooks. I recommend dogs though if you want something that will be really loyal and affectionate. :)

Answer 4

I have a box turtle she will out live me, she's just a guess about 12 years old maybe more, she knows her name, and the sound of my voice, she lives in a 30 gallon long tank, has her 12 x 12 glass pan full of water, fresh food a heater to keep her warm at night, she lies to be talked to I let her run around outside in a fence in pen I made for her, she's got it good, I all so have one Siberian Husky, two cats they are litter brothers, one Guinea pig, one bunny, five finches, two 30 gallon tanks of fish and one 22 years old daughter. I rescued the all of these animals except the two cats, I brought these two guys.. They are part of my family till death due us part.

Answer 5

well for the most part, my turtle is not affectionate. he does recognize me and gets very excited when I walk into the room, but it could be because he knows I am there to feed him, still pretty cute to watch him get so excited. pretty cool to watch, but he does get very anxoius as well. he does seem to like getting petted. sometimes I will rub the top of his head and he will stick out a little farther, other times he seems scared, so I just don't bother him.

Answer 6

I had custody of two California desert tortoises for 16 years. (They are an endangered species, so private parties can't actually own them, just have state permits to keep them.) Mine were in their late sixties when I got them, as far as could be determined. They had been picked up in the desert when they were less than ten years old. I received them when their previous guardians moved to Hawaii; when I moved to Oregon I passed them on to another person with a permit to keep them.

Anyway, I believe they are affectionate and that they enjoy human attention. They would spend the days out in the back yard and come inside through the cat door in the evening. They liked to sleep in front of the refrigerator where warm air blew out through the grill at floor level. but first Sampson, the 30-pound male, would come into the living room where I sat in a glider-type chair and wedge himself under my foot so I would rock his shell back and forth for an hour or more.

They also would stretch their necks out to be stroked on the head and neck.. If they hadn't enjoyed the touch they would have pulled their heads back into their shells.

They were nice creatures. I miss them.

Answer 7

In my opinion pet turtles can be loving. i have only had my turtle for a little while, but it seems to recognize me as the person who feeds it. He seems to be pleased to see me when i come by. Anyway, I hope that helps a little bit.

Answer 8

I have 2 red eared sliders and they are very affectionate. They let me hold them and when I walk by the tank they get all excited and climb up on the ramp to get out of the water and they put their 2 front legs up on the glass to try to get out. They are so funny and I never would have thought turtles would be like that. I did get them as tiny little babies and I have handled almost every day so I just think they are used to it. I also feed them the frozen fish cubes and frozen brine shrimp cubes from my hand when I hold them and they love that.

Answer 9

Yes they are. Everytime mine do the "Feed Me Dance" I take that as an affectionate sign. They are showing me that they appreciate the hand who feeds them. If you know and understand your turtle they are great. I understand when a hiss means something and try and figure it out right away. My adult female who is 8 years old hissing when ready to lay a clutch....Affection goes both ways!!

It is all in the training as turtles are not stupid and can learn their names etc. I have also taught mine not to bite also.....

Answer 10

Turtles are not the least bit affectionate.
The most you can hope for is that they tolerate your presence, and that they eventually see you as a source of food, rather than a predator.
When they do, they may appear excited when they see you, but it is only because they hope to be fed.
Many people mistake that for affection, as evidenced by some of the previous answers.