Do tortoises Smell

[CherryBrandy]

Can tortoises smell other tortoises. I'm asking because my Ibera paces loads around now and has a female next door and seems to know where to be looking.....for the weaknesses in the small fence. or is this just normal male behaviour whether a female is around or not.

They have never met, but she was pacing also in same area which is unlike her. Well she will be highly disappointed because he is Ibera and she is spur and never the twain will meet if I have my way. its like west side story almost.

Does he know she is there by smell because he has never seen her or heard her.

CB

[Suze65]

Tortoises have a very good sense of smell. They often give each other a good sniff, my girls sniff the ground a lot before choosing a nesting site, the males can smell a female a mile off. And some of mine can sniff out buried cat poo, given the chance ( I do check the garden thoroughly before they go out)

[CherryBrandy]

ha ! is cat poops a delicacy ? Some of mine eat pigeon poop. I may have a rethink where I put him as he is constant pacing every year this time - I can move him to across other side of garden. Do you think he may be calmer there? I think I might be - its exhausting just watching him. CB

[Mrs Frog]

Yes I think they have an excellent sense of smell especially regarding the opposite sex

[burnt toast]

Its how they find a mate in the wild, follow her scent.

[Gordon]

Mine do after a curry.

[CherryBrandy]

Ok curries permitting! he is very different today and its sunny. He was same coming out of hibernation, really hyper reckin everything then docile ish like he can be. I will monitor the situation ! Boy torts !!