Can Turtles Smell Underwater?

Ever wonder if your turtle can actually smell that shrimp stick you dropped in the water? I did too. Mine always zooms over like it’s got a built-in food radar.

Turns out, turtles can smell underwater. And they’re surprisingly good at it.

Not in a fancy perfume-sniffing way, but more like “Is that dinner nearby?” kind of way.

Let’s break down how they pull it off.

How Do Turtles Smell Things?

Turtles don’t sniff around like dogs, but they can smell—and pretty well too. Let’s walk through how it works.

1. They Use Nares (Not Noses)

• Nares = turtle nostrils
• Located just above their mouths
• Pull in air or water depending on where they are (land or underwater)

Think of nares like little scent entry doors.

2. The Scent Pathway Inside

Once a turtle pulls in air or water through the nares, here’s what happens next:

Step	What Happens
1	Air/water enters through the nares
2	Travels to the nasal cavity
3	Hits olfactory tissue (this is where the scent is detected)
4	Brain reads the smell and reacts (food? threat? mate?)

3. They Don’t Need to Breathe to Smell

Smelling is separate from breathing.

Even when holding their breath, turtles can still take in water through their nares to “smell” what’s around.

4. It Works in Both Air and Water

• Aquatic turtles: smell underwater better
• Land turtles & tortoises: smell better in the air
• But all of them use scent as part of daily survival

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5. Extra Boost: Some Use Their Throat

Yep. Some turtles pump water in and out of their throat to push more scent particles to their nose tissue.

Kind of like a manual sniffing system. Smart little trick.

That’s how turtles pull off smelling, even with no fancy nose like us. Simple but effective.

Why Do Turtles Need to Smell Underwater?

To Find Food

• Turtles can smell things like fish, worms, plants, or pellets
• Helps them track down meals even in murky water
• Strong-smelling food gets their attention faster

To Stay Safe

• Smelling helps turtles detect danger
• They can sense if a predator or unfamiliar animal is nearby
• If something smells “off,” they’ll stay away

To Get Around

• Some turtles use scent trails to understand where they are
• Smelling familiar surroundings helps them find their way back to feeding or basking spots

To Recognize Mates (or Rivals)

• During mating season, scent helps males find females
• It can also help them spot other turtles in their area
• Some may even mark territory using scent cues

Do All Types of Turtles Smell the Same Way?

Not really. All turtles can smell, but how they smell depends on where they live—water or land.

Type	Environment	Smell Best In	Special Note
Red-Eared Slider	Water	Underwater	Pumps water to smell better
Box Turtle	Land & water	Both, but better on land	Good all-round sniffer
Sulcata Tortoise	Dry land	Air	Uses smell to find roots & greens

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Aquatic Turtles

• These turtles are built to smell underwater
• They pull water through their nares and detect scents in it
• Some even pump water in and out of their mouth/throat to help pick up smells
• Great for hunting, avoiding danger, or finding nesting spots

Land Turtles & Tortoises

• These guys rely on air-based smells
• Their sense of smell is strong, especially for food or mates
• They sniff with every breath of air they take

So no, not all turtles smell the same way. But every single one depends on scent more than you’d expect.

Can Turtles Smell You Through the Glass?

This one comes up a lot. The short answer? Not really—at least not through the glass itself.

Glass Blocks Scent

• Turtles can’t smell your hand, face, or breath through the tank wall.
• Glass isn’t porous, so scent particles can’t pass through it.
• If the lid stays closed, your scent stays out.

But Open the Lid…

• The moment you lift the lid or reach in, that changes.
• Your scent, especially if you’re holding food, does reach the turtle then.
• Strong-smelling foods like shrimp pellets or leafy greens can be picked up quickly.

So Why Does My Turtle Rush Toward Me?

• Turtles learn patterns.
• They might not smell you through glass, but they know you.
• They recognize movement, shadows, vibrations—and associate you with food.

Your turtle’s not sniffing you through the tank wall like a dog. But once the air opens up? They’re on high alert—especially if snacks are involved.

What This Means for Turtle Owners

So now that you know turtles can smell underwater—what do you do with that info? Simple. Use it to keep your turtle happy.

Smelly Food = Excited Turtle

• Turtles react faster to strong-smelling food
• Things like shrimp, bloodworms, or leafy greens really get their attention
• If your turtle seems slow to eat, try switching up the smell

Clean Water Helps

• Dirty water messes with their sense of smell
• If they can’t smell well, they might ignore food or act lazy
• A clean tank = a sharp-sniffing, active turtle

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Yes, They Might Know You by Scent

• Once the tank is open, your scent is part of their world
• Over time, they may start to link your smell to food or safety
• Some turtles even get excited just by your presence nearby

So, if you ever feel like your turtle “knows” you—it might not be all in your head.
Their nose (and throat) are doing more work than you think.