YouTube just told me again about how turtles have nerve ends on their shell and how they have a decent amount of sensibility through it. Also, I’ve seen videos of turtles being social and helping one another and, finally, while this is apparently a bit rare, I did know people who owned iguanas who had some small attachment to their owners, and one would actually stick around for some stroking of their back.
So, adding all up, let’s just say this: I never owned a turtle and never really spoke about turtles with people who own them. I don’t know if they bond, I don’t even even know if they visibly give any indication of noticing being handled through their shells.
So, turtle owners… Do turtles like being pet through their shells?
I had a turtle when I was a kid. Used to come up on his rock when I was near and stick out his neck, and rub the side of his head on my finger.
I didn’t know they had nerves in their shell at the time, I was very little. But they do enjoy some scritches. So maybe?