Can Turtles Swim Backwards?
fact checked & review by
Dr. Partho Kumar Shaha
Veterinarian (DVM)
The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
Even our pet turtles have been known to exhibit odd behavior on occasion, such as swimming in the opposite direction of what they are supposed to do. They may be a little unusual at times. If your turtle suddenly begins swimming backward, you have good reason to be concerned.
Turtles are capable of swimming in a backward direction. Although it may not seem natural for turtles, this is in fact a common occurrence. To swim in reverse, a turtle rows its front flippers or forelimbs towards its head rather than its tail.
This article will investigate the reasons for turtles’ capacity to swim in reverse, along with the possible advantages of having this skill. We will also discuss what you should do in each scenario if your turtle begins to swim in the other direction. So keep on reading!
Why Does Your Turtle Swim Backward?
There are two distinct strokes that a turtle might use while swimming. The first kind of swimming that turtles do is called “forwards swimming.”
This is the most frequent type of swimming that turtles do, and it is used for day-to-day tasks like searching for food, moving from one location to another, or evading potential dangers.
Backstroke is the second kind of swimming that may be performed. While they are capable of swimming in any direction, turtles often go forward since it is more efficient for them.
The following is the reason why turtles swim in a backward direction:
1. To Ensure Their Own Safety
Turtles aren’t very good at aggressively defending themselves, so if one senses that it is being attacked or afraid, it may begin to swim in the other direction.
Turtles behave in this manner so that they will not be compelled to turn their backs on a potential enemy. It is much easier for an attacker to ambush their victim if the victim has their back turned to the potential attacker.
Being proactive reduces the likelihood of anything like this occurring. This self-defense mechanism has developed in turtles throughout the course of their history.
2. What To Do
While this may be considered typical behavior for turtles, the fact that the turtle is acting in this manner indicates that it is afraid of something.
The turtle may still find you strange, unfamiliar, or even frightening. so, while you are present, it will swim in the opposite direction of what it normally does.
It’s also possible that your pet is afraid of anything else, like another animal, and will swim in the other direction when it’s nearby.
If you believe it’s the case, you will need to confine your other animal companion to another room and work on the turtle’s adaptation to your presence so that it will stop swimming in the opposite direction.
3. It Is A Young Turtle
It is a young turtle, often known as a juvenile. Juvenile turtles may be entertaining to watch for a number of reasons, one of which is that they occasionally swim in the opposite direction of adult turtles.
The fact that a turtle swims backward in the water does not indicate that something’s problematic with the turtle.
Rather, it is just a method for these little creatures to engage in some fun. It is a type of “game” for them and is totally typical for them to do so.
4. What To Do
There is no action that has to be taken in this scenario since the activity shown by the adolescent turtles is natural.
The turtles will ultimately outgrow this stage and be able to swim properly as they continue to mature.
How Do Turtles Swim Backward?
Turtles that inhabit the sea are able to swim in reverse with ease. Turtles that live in freshwater and marine environments are able to effortlessly orient themselves in the water by altering the force with which they push against the stream.
To move in the opposite direction of their normal swimming motion, turtles paddle their front flippers or forelimbs towards their heads rather than their tails.
Turtles that spend at least part of their lives in the water actively pursue prey or search for food. freshwater species often consume snails, insects, other invertebrates, and plants, while sea turtles prey upon jellyfish (leatherbacks), sea urchins, crabs, and plants.
Turtles have the ability to alter their location in the water by utilizing their webbed feet or flippers to change their orientation in any way that is necessary, even swimming in the opposite direction.
Turtles are able to swim in reverse by flexing and releasing the muscles in their abdomen, which in turn allows their hind flippers to shift in a manner that propels them in that direction.
This sort of swimming is less effective than going ahead because the turtle needs to use more effort to swim in the other way. Swimming forwards is the most efficient style of swimming.
Nonetheless, turtles have the ability to swim in reverse very swiftly and with a great deal of agility, which is useful for them when they are attempting to evade predators or move through confined places.
Which Species Of Turtles Can Swim Backward?
The several types of turtles that are reported to be capable of swimming in reverse There are a number of distinct species of turtles, some of which are capable of swimming in the reverse direction.
The Red-Eared Slider, the Western Pond Turtle, and the Eastern Box Turtle are three of the most numerous species of turtles in the world.
Every single one of these turtles has the ability to swim backward quickly and with a lot of speed.
It is helpful when they are attempting to avoid being eaten by a predator or moving through a confined place.
The Leatherback Sea Turtle and the Eastern Painted Turtle are two more kinds of turtles that have been seen swimming backward occasionally.
Why Is Your Turtle Swimming Upside Down?
While it is possible that your turtle swims backward normally, it is not usual for your turtle to swim upside down.
If your turtle is swimming on its back, this might be an indication that it is suffering from a respiratory ailment.
Additional indications of a respiratory illness in a turtle involve the presence of bubbles flowing from the animal’s mouth and an overall lack of enthusiasm.
If this is the problem with your turtle, you will need to take it to the veterinarian so that it may be evaluated and given treatment for the illness.
There is a possibility that your turtle is swimming upside down due to the fact that it is bloated. As gas builds up and becomes stuck within a turtle’s body, it causes the animal to behave like a life jacket and float with its back to the water.
Alterations in the turtle’s food or the administration of certain drugs might bring on a buildup of gas in the animal. If you believe that this is the case, you should take your turtle to the veterinarian.
Before You Go
In conclusion, turtles have the ability to swim in the backward direction, albeit they usually prefer to go ahead. This is a skill that they use to get away from predators or to reach the source of food more easily and swiftly.
Turtles have acquired many such unique skills that help them to live their lives a little easier with their sturdy bodies. You can take a look at Can Turtles Flip Themselves Over?
About Author
Muntaseer Rahman started keeping pet turtles back in 2013. He also owns the largest Turtle & Tortoise Facebook community in Bangladesh. These days he is mostly active on Facebook.