Researchers at the University of Lincoln are exploring the cognitive and emotional abilities of reptiles, challenging the idea that these animals are less intelligent than once believed. The Cold-blooded Cognition Lab, established in 2007 by Dr. Anna Wilkinson, focuses on understanding the behavior and intelligence of reptiles. The lab is home to several turtles, including Moses, a red-footed tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonaria) who is a favorite among the researchers. These turtles are kept in an environment maintained at 28°C, closely resembling their natural habitat where temperatures typically range around 30°C. The research has shown that red-footed tortoises are capable of learning and social learning. In experiments, the turtles successfully navigated mazes and imitated the actions of other turtles, suggesting they have strategic thinking and spatial awareness. Additionally, studies have revealed that these tortoises display optimism—approaching ambiguous situations with a positive outlook—indicating a level of emotional complexity previously underestimated in reptiles. In 2011, Dr. Wilkinson and her team began examining the emotional responses of red-footed tortoises. One experiment tested whether the turtles would exhibit contagious yawning, a behavior linked to empathy in some animals, but no such response was observed. However, a 2025 study led by Tatjana Hoehfurtner found that these tortoises approach uncertain rewards with enthusiasm and relaxed body language, suggesting a positive outlook in ambiguous situations. This finding challenges the long-held belief that reptiles are emotionally insensitive. These discoveries contribute to a growing body of evidence that reptiles, including red-footed tortoises, may have more complex cognitive and emotional lives than previously assumed. The research not only deepens our understanding of these animals but also prompts a reevaluation of how intelligence and emotion are defined in the animal kingdom.