The surprising study that proves: turtles are optimistic, smart, and full of emotion

A study at the Cold-Blooded Cognition lab at the University of Lincoln reveals that red-footed forest turtles are intelligent, possess spatial memory, social learning ability, and clear optimism. Researchers discovered that previous experiment failures were due to low temperature, not cognitive limitation.

A groundbreaking study at the "Cold-Blooded Cognition" lab at the University of Lincoln in England, led by researcher Anna Wilkinson, reveals that red-footed forest turtles are intelligent, sensitive, and optimistic creatures. Researchers found that the reason for previous reptile experiment failures was not cognitive limitation but room temperature: turtles do not regulate their body heat, and in cold environments they freeze in place. By maintaining a constant temperature of 28 degrees Celsius, the turtles showed vitality, recognized their handlers, and rushed toward them. In an eight-arm maze experiment, a turtle named Moses developed a navigation strategy based on a mental map. Researchers also demonstrated "social learning" ability – imitating the behavior of another turtle that found food. The highlight: a study led by Tatiana Hofertner showed that turtles see the glass as half full. After conditioning them that a bowl on the right contained food and one on the left was empty, a bowl was placed in the center. The turtles ran toward it determinedly, expecting a reward, with calm and curious body language.