Recent studies have shown that tortoises both display persistent mood states and have level of cognitive complexity similar to mammals. Lead author on the study, a team at the University of Lincoln. Their results offer powerful proof that reptiles feel emotions, countering long-held assumptions about the otherwise cognitive capacity of these cold-blooded critters. These findings published by the journal Animal Cognition are significant for the authorship of animal welfare legislation in the U.K. This is particularly topical in light of the passing of the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022.
Focusing on the costly red-footed tortoise, it designed an approach based on a popular cognitive bias test that’s been shown to reliably measure a range of emotional states in humans. This new, animal-centered approach enabled scientists to test the tortoises’ cognitive abilities and emotional reactions to challenges. These results showed that these reptiles are capable of experiencing true endogenous long-lasting mood states.
The Research Team and Methodology
The research team included some heavy hitters, including Anna Wilkinson, professor of animal cognition at the University of Lincoln. They brought on Oliver Burman, a professor of animal behavior and welfare from the same university. She, along with researcher Tatjana Hoehfurtner, specifically developed the study to test tortoises’ cognitive abilities.
To test how the tortoises reacted to ambiguous scenarios, the researchers used a cognitive bias test. This automatic response uncovers key signs of their mental wellbeing. When presented with the choice between two food sites, the tortoises demonstrated obvious preferences. One spot was associated with a known positive outcome, whereas the other was associated with uncertainty. This behavior indicates that their decision-making is affected by their mood, much like the way people react to emotional cues.
The results of this study are groundbreaking. Yet their experiments not only show that tortoises have something similar to human problem-solving ability, they reveal tortoises’ emotional depth. This study represents an important advance in comprehension into reptilian cognition and emotions.
Implications for Animal Welfare
This research uncovers groundbreaking information that will help shift public perception of tortoises and other reptiles. These lessons will be invaluable in shaping future, stronger animal welfare legislation. As the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022 recognises, it is not just the dolphins and elephants that can experience complex emotions — tortoises can feel them too. This acknowledgment is fundamental to enacting policy that protects animals from harm and abuse.
Creatures long considered biologically inferior might be feeling things very much like the feelings we recognize in mammals and birds. Lawmakers may have to reconsider existing regulations. Or they should look to strengthen reptiles protections, especially for tortoises.
That study highlights the idea that affective states could be more ubiquitous across the animal kingdom than one might assume on first thought. This study brings some much needed transparency to the emotional lives of tortoises. Importantly, it opens the door for researching cognitive abilities with other reptiles and thus altering our perception of their welfare requirements.
A Shifting Perspective on Reptilian Cognition
Reptiles split off from mammals and birds hundreds of millions of years ago. This divergence led to huge differences in how they were supposed to act and think. According to this new study, these differences don’t rule out reptiles feeling emotions or having advanced cognitive skills.
As Kreyer explains, the research team’s findings challenge long-standing assumptions about reptilian intelligence and emotional capacity. Society’s understanding of animal sentience is advancing at a record pace. It’s really important that we touch on the complexity of these truly wonderful animals.