Study Finds Tortoises Experience Human-like Emotions Such as Optimism

Tortoise Emotions and Cognitive Bias

• 💡 Red-footed tortoises have been found to experience long-term moods, similar to mammals and birds, including optimism and positivity.
• 🧠 Researchers at the University of Lincoln used a cognitive bias test, typically applied to mammals and birds, to assess tortoise reactions to ambiguous situations.

Environmental Impact on Mood

• 📈 Tortoises housed in "enriched environments" demonstrated more optimistic and positive outlooks.
• 🎯 This suggests that the environment plays a significant role in shaping the emotional state and bias of tortoises.

Implications for Animal Care

• 🔑 Understanding that tortoises have feelings can lead to increased effort and care from owners and caretakers.
• ⏳ Given that some tortoise species can live up to 200 years, recognizing their emotional capacity is crucial for ensuring they are not kept in suboptimal conditions.
• 💖 This recognition can have a massive impact on the individual tortoise's well-being over its long lifespan.

Professor's Perspective

• 💬 Professor Anna Wilkinson has studied tortoises for 20 years and found that, overall, her subjects exhibited an optimistic bias.
• 🐾 She shared a personal anecdote about her pet tortoise, Moses, highlighting the emotional connection and the desire not to hurt their feelings.