THE IMPACT THAT VISION, OLFACTION, AND MAGNETIC SENSE OF DIRECTION HAVE IN THE HOMING BEHAVIORS OF GOPHERUS POLYPHEMUS - A PRELIMINARY REPORT

Author

• Sarah Kelly

Date of Award

2015

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Moore, Jon

Abstract

Gopherus polyphemus, commonly known as a gopher tortoise, is a keystone species found in the southeastern United States that uses homing behaviors to locate their burrow after traveling. These behaviors are influenced by multiple systems- visual landmarks, olfaction, and magnetic sense of direction but the extent of the influence has never been established. This experiment was an attempt to gauge the extent that each had in influencing the homing ability of the tortoises by temporarily blocking these senses before moving the tortoise approximately 46 m away from the burrow it was found in or closest to and timing how long it took for the tortoise to locate a burrow. The results of the experiment support the idea that visual landmarks have the greatest influence closely followed by olfaction since the vision deprivation trials were the longest, irritated the tortoises most, and the tortoises starting blatantly using olfaction to get their bearings.

Comments

Includes bibliography.

Recommended Citation

Kelly, Sarah, "THE IMPACT THAT VISION, OLFACTION, AND MAGNETIC SENSE OF DIRECTION HAVE IN THE HOMING BEHAVIORS OF GOPHERUS POLYPHEMUS - A PRELIMINARY REPORT" (2015). Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2010 - 2019. 205.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/etd_honors_2/205

Extent

22 p.

Identifier

FA00013649