Turtle Voices

[Jinx]

A long time ago I read that turtles (sea ones like leatherbacks) have no vocal cords and cannot make noises. Actually, my bad, it was that WWF show that asks for money while showing graphic and sad and disturbing images ... they were cutting a turtle open while it still lived (keeps the meat fresher??)

I have also seen many people reporting their turtle hisses and that counts as vocal noises.

I always thought the hissing noise is caused from the turtle rushing backwards into his/her shell and it causes air to rush out, thus the hiss sound.

Anyone else have information??

Thanks all

[Chez]

hmm, youre right about the hiss sound when they pull their heads in their shells, but i'm not sure that sea turtles don't have vocal cords. I read in Turtles and Tortoises of the World that turtles (don't remember if this included sea turtles) and tortoises have vocal cords, and they use them only when trying to mate. they make some sort of clicking sound. and im pretty sure the sound they emit is below our range of hearing, so you cant hear it unaided. very interesting topic to bring up, perhaps someone else knows about this?
:chez