Written by author and ABNC EcoEducation Instructor Rebekah Gano

It’s springtime and nearly every warm day you can find turtles sunning themselves along the banks of Armand Bayou and the ponds of the nature center. They usually share their best basking locations with many other turtles as well as occasional frogs, birds and even alligators (despite being a possible menu item for the gators). Most of the time, the turtles are quiet and still; often only raucous human beings seem to phase them, and they’ll slip back into the water when they feel threatened.

There is more going on in a group of turtles than meets the human eye and ear, however. Turtles have a variety of ways of communicating with each other and other animals. Most turtle talk is nonverbal, such as touching noses to signify friendliness and curiosity or reaching out a foot and tapping a nearby turtle to attract attention. Head bobbing can be used to show aggression or to invite potential mates closer. Of course, turtles are known for their withdrawal into their shells when they are fearful or hesitant.

While turtles are generally quiet, they do make vocalizations – many that are too low for humans to hear. Hatchlings call to each other as they emerge from their eggs and find their way to water. Their sounds are typically too low for humans and predators like birds to hear. Other turtles will make sounds as they swim through the water. Scientists believe such turtle calls are related to mating and migration. Red-eared sliders sometimes make an audible chirping sound, and other turtles sometimes snap their jaws to make clicking noises, usually when they are upset.

Turtles lack vocal chords, so they make most sounds by expelling air from their lungs at different rates. This can result in squeaks, grunts, hisses, and even cry-like sounds. It’s normal for a turtle to hiss or grunt as it retracts its head into its shell. The sound, however, should not be taken as a threat, as in the case of a cat’s or a snake’s hiss. The turtle makes the sound involuntarily because as it pulls its head in, air from its lungs escapes quickly. It’s more like a gasp of fright, with the air flowing out instead of in.

It's a great time for turtle watching at ABNC. Perhaps you can even find a sunny seat and enjoy basking in the sun like a turtle!

Traveling Turtles: If you happen to see a turtle crossing the road this spring or summer, it's probably a mother turtle on her way to lay eggs. They instinctively return to the area they hatched to lay their own eggs. If you wish to help the turtle safely cross the road, carefully pick it up, supporting the bottom of the shell (hands near the back, away from the head - gloves recommended). Carry the turtle across the road in the direction that the turtle was facing when you first found it. Place it safely away from the road. Safety first: only help if it is safe to do so, be sure to watch for traffic yourself!

Turtle Talk