Can turtle pee hurt you? Remember that its not in the typical turtles nature to be extremely social. Build a consistent routine by feeding your turtle at the same time everyday. Coates warns that obesity and hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease) are two conditions that are related to overfeeding pet turtles. Try to avoid frequent and excessive handling of your turtle. Doing all this correctly will definitely stop your turtle peeing on you every time you pick him up, It does take time and patience but it will be all worth it in the end, Because your turtle will show affection towards you too, Happy you asked because thats what Im going to talk about next. Nothing bad will happen if you touch turtle pee, just make sure that you wash or disinfect your hands before you touch anything else. However, these tests only show infection if they are shedding the bacteria in their stool at that time.. Do snapping turtles recognize their owners? While this is normal behavior among turtles in nature, humans often misinterpret these actions as aggressive acts. What do we learn here? We really appreciate the kindness and support that you show us! Your veterinarian will discuss dietary and environmental modifications to try to prevent stones from reforming. The shell may be soft, bumpy, or asymmetrical. Remember that just because your turtle accepts your affection sometimes does not mean that it will always be receptive to human interaction. While your local pet store is unlikely to accept your turtle, they might be able to steer you in the right direction or allow you to post on their community boards. While growing, juvenile turtles need to be fed fairly often, adult turtles can be fed a few times per week, depending on the . as a hatschling they might pee too, but the bladder is so tiny that you wouldn't realize they are peeing. Even if you opt for a screen top for your tank, its best if the cells of that screen are as wide as possible to allow ample UVB lightto reach the turtle. Properly clean and disinfect the turtles tank every time it is soiled. Keep working on hand-feeding, and with time and patience, you can try petting your turtle again. 10. While the natural instincts of turtles would probably kick in, a turtle that has been captive most or all of its life will not have the keen hunting skills of a wild one. While it's hard to resist, overfeeding a turtle can lead to serious consequences. While drinking a little bit of your own urine probably won't hurt you, it's definitely not as safe as a . Another great way to make your turtle more comfortable with you is to. Its up to you, but remember to handle it with care. This will help to remove any bacteria that may be causing your turtle to urinate more frequently. Infected animals and people carry the bacteria in their gastrointestinal tracts and shed the bacteria in their feces, serving as a source of infection to others. Some turtles are more outgoing and curious than others, making them more likely to enjoy being handled. Since most turtles that carry Salmonella are not ill, they usually require no treatment. Yes, they do! A healthy, gravid (with eggs) turtle may not eat, but will still be bright, active, and alert. How Can You Stop Turtle Peeing on you? You shouldnt force it hold a piece of lettuce close to its mouth and wait patiently. So, now you know why do turtles pee when picked up. Therefore, when you suspect your turtle has a health problem, take them to the vet for a check-up. While they are generally discerning, it is possible your turtle will eat something they shouldn't. These could include small pieces of plastic, fabric or any other material. Here is a short video that shows how cloacal breathing works: Some turtle species like the Olive ridley sea turtle can stay almost 10 hours submerged underwater, and the air that they get through the cloaca is essential for that. If you notice that your turtle's shell is growing irregularly, it may be a sign of malnutrition or even metabolic bone disease. I have been an animal enthusiast for many years now and I love them. Although turtles are certainly not the only reptiles that can carry Salmonella, most turtles carry the infection asymptomatically, in that they do not show signs of illness. Considering that they are instinctually intelligent, peeing on you isnt normal. A good way to get your turtle used to being around humans is to feed him/her regularly. Keep working on hand-feeding, and with time and patience, you can try petting your turtle again. And, suppose you do decide to pick up a turtle, make sure you support its body from underneath. Turtle pee can harm humans in several ways: -Turtle pee contains bacteria that may cause infections in mucous membranes or open wounds. Start gently and gradually. So turtles do pee, but why don't we see them do it? As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Therefore, its not hazardous if it comes in contact with your skin. According to Dr. Adam Denish, of Rhawnhurst Animal Hospital in Pennsylvania, thinking that a turtle should look sick for it to be a threat is a mistake. So, the answer is yes, red-eared slider turtles do pee. It can be done by placing their food in the area where you want them to urinate. Happy and healthy turtles will have normal bodily functions such as defecating on a regular basis. Urinary tract infections are commonly associated with dysuria. A veterinarian uses a physical examination, blood tests, and radiographs (X-rays) to help diagnose the cause of the dystocia and to determine whether medical and/or surgical procedures are best indicated in treating these animals. Turtles are commonly incriminated as a cause of Salmonella bacterial infection in children. A bubbler can help to aerate the water and improve water quality. Every little bit can help us tremendously in continuing to create quality content that helps turtle and tortoise owners around the world. They may even beg for treats, similar to a dog! And after reading this blog, you know that turtles have a well-developed urinary system. Turtles are aware of their owners. Coates adds that every month or two, the entire tank should be drained and thoroughly cleaned. Build a consistent routine by feeding your turtle at the same time everyday. Can box turtle pee hurt you? Before purchasing a turtle, check the laws in your municipality regarding legal ownership of pet turtles. When theyre picked up, they may feel cold and release urine as a way to warm themselves up. A good guide is tengallons of tank space for each inch of turtle, at a minimum. Because pee itself is a bacteria containing liquid. Instead, they will only do so if they are ill or trying to conserve water. ReptileJam.com also participates in other affiliate programs and may be compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Turtles pee out of fear, pressure, and feeling threatened. Can turtle pee hurt you? Hence people always come with some unique queries. Here are the links to our most recent posts that may interest you: As we mentioned before, there are a number of theories regarding why turtles pee when picked up. And Coates adds, depending on your turtles species, its diet, and your set-up, you may also need to provide a calcium and vitamin D supplement. As for the situations where you would need to touch them, remember these three reminders: The key is in handling them and the deliberate pressure you put on them. If your turtle does stop eating and you are concerned that it may be ill, be sure to schedule a checkup with your veterinarian. Once your turtle is comfortable eating from your hand, try lightly petting its neck and head while it eats. It is caused by a variety of factors. Urinating can also be a deliberate defensive response if a turtle feels like its in danger. This is a natural reflex that helps them to escape from predators or other threats. Given that you have a turtle that youre not sure about picking up, its best to err on the side of caution and avoid it. As a result, the turtles body dumps all of its stored urine from the bladder. Will turtle pee hurt you? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Surprising Answer( With Video). If it does, you can try some low intensity exercises. Nitrogen is what gives urine its characteristic odor. I've been a turtle and tortoise owner for 10 years, during which I gained a lot of experience and information, and now I want to share them with everybody that is curious or it's looking for help. One theory is that the bacteria in turtle pee can cause warts. Some turtles will also hiss under stress. Depending on factors, such as environmental temperature and the amount of water its drinking. Also, it can cause other health issues if you have a weak immune system. Lets start with the cloaca. It's likely that the way you treated him made it seem like he felt threatened. 3 1989 Zappa Fam. It has the potential to cause human brain damage when it comes into contact with you so you have to be very carefulif(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'reptileshere_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_1',108,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-reptileshere_com-medrectangle-4-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'reptileshere_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_2',108,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-reptileshere_com-medrectangle-4-0_1'); .medrectangle-4-multi-108{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:7px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:7px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}, Thats why its important to alwayswash your hands after handling your turtle, If your turtle has peed on you and you want to stop this behavior carry on reading, If you want your turtle to stop peeing on you its very simple, If you have to handle your turtle, do it in a gentle and calm way. When a turtle feels very threatened they will bite you and then they won't let go. Small children handling turtles should be supervised to ensure they dont place them near their eyes or mouths and that they wash their hands afterwards. Thick urine in men and women. Also, its a good idea to invest in a vacuum, or even just a simple siphon device made for tanks, which offers a simple way to make a partial water change each time you use itwhich should be at least once a week. Wild turtles are commonly found on the side of the road after getting hit by cars and suffering from serious shell fractures. But, if you drink less than 7 to 8 glasses, which is a prescribed limit, your pee becomes more acidic. However, this does not mean you let turtles pee on you while handling them. Lets get into more detail in this article, Before we get into ways on how to stop your turtle peeing on you. So, why is there such a big difference in how turtles react to being picked up? Im Devin Nunn, an average joe that just so happens to have a deep love and passion for everything to do with reptiles. Young and newly adopted turtles, especially, can be very sensitive and tend to pee more often. Aquatic turtles on the other hand still spend a fair amount of time on land as well. As they feel frightened, they proceed to pee on you as one of their defensive measures as it allows more space for them to withdraw into their shells and shut it tighter as they do. With a safe zone, your turtle can easily escape any unwanted interaction. Its a natural response that can be easily remedied by placing it back in its enclosure. While turtles do have the ability to hold their urine in their shell, they generally dont do so on a regular basis. In the spring and summer, when theyre eating more and their metabolism is higher, box turtles produce more urine than in the other seasons. Due to the way things are arranged on the inside of the turtle this process is less exhausting than normal breathing. Turtles are fascinating animals with a lot of unknowns. FYI, ingesting turtle pee can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even death. But if you wee in the same place too much, you will build up a concentration of salts in the soil, and this can affect osmosis of water into the plant's roots. But if you pick them up they'll likely pee on you, so watch out. 7 yr. ago Most turtles that cross the roads in Texas are red ears. In turtles, a prolapse occurs when an organ (such as the intestine, cloaca, urinary bladder, uterus, or penis) protrudes from the vent (the opening in the underside of the tail from which the turtle passes droppings). But no, this is never a good idea. Additionally, if a turtle has been eating a lot of fruits or vegetables, its pee may be a brighter color. vent), which is located at the base of their tail (we have discussed it above). Some people may have believed that turtles pee out of their mouths because of a scene in the popular movie Finding Nemo. Perhaps most importantly, just because a UV bulb is lit doesnt necessarily mean that its outputting sufficient UV rays. Disclosure: Nursingpets.com is reader-supported. Just be sure to use warm water and avoid getting water in their nose or eyes. Is this harmful to me? What are the health hazards of dog urine? And, there are no turtle species that dont pee. Snapping Turtles are Special Moving Snapping Turtles especially large ones is more challenging. Turtle urine can cause brain damage in humans. There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that turtle pee can cause brain damage. Empty conch shells and ping-pong balls can make for fun toys for your pet turtle, and theyll also help to stimulate your pet mentally. So, yes! To get your turtle to feel more at ease when you pet it, set it on the ground first. Figure out when your pet is most active, what scares it, and when it seems the most comfortable. When a turtle urinates, the urine is stored in a sac near the cloaca. Turtle urine can contain harmful bacteria that can cause infections. Between feedings, you can sneak some tasty morsels into your pets bowl. Commonly called bladder stones, cystic calculi occur when minerals from the diet form crystals in the urine, which then stick together and form stones. This is not a normal occurrence and should be addressed by a veterinarian immediately. In general, turtles urinate less often than other animals because they have a slower metabolism. And, a question that people often have do or can turtles pee? But if you must, make sure to handle them gently and wash your hands thoroughly afterward. Taking good care of your pet is the first step to relieving any stress it may feel. Some turtles will also hiss under stress. If they find themselves far from the ground, they would just pee on you. Box Turtle vs Painted Turtle - What is the Difference. 2011-09-12 15:23:38. . 5: Lower Exercise Intensity to Prevent Turtling. If your turtle is energetic and active, thats a great sign that its comfortable in its environment. In fact, turtles pee when theyre picked up because theyre excited or could be scared too! Nursingpets.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Hence, if you come into contact with turtle pee, be sure to wash the area with soap and water as soon as possible. Holding your breath while urinating or pushing with your abdominal muscles to speed up the process won't hurt you if you do it once in a while, but if this is an everyday habit, it may weaken your bladder, says Jenny Archer, PT, DPT, a pelvic floor therapist based in Nashville, Tennessee. In fact, its almost odorless. Snapping Turtles can be fast and they can bite. Many other animals, including humans, have this same reflex. Sea turtles use it all the time since some of them spend their entire life without leaving the water. It might disgust you to experience your little snapper peeing on you. Its likely that the way you treated him made it seem like he felt threatened. When a turtle is scared, its body goes into fight-or-flight mode, and it may release the uric acid (a urine-like substance) as a way to defend itself. A baby red eared slider, for example, might be sold when its only four inches long but can be expected to eventually reach 10 to 12 inches in length, says Dr. Jennifer Coates, a veterinarian in Fort Collins, CO. Cloudy white. The truth is that, yes, box turtles do pee. Many turtles enjoy being petted, but first they must get used to humans being present and interacting with them. However, this does not mean you let turtles pee on you while handling them. As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Approach the turtle slowly, and make sure it can see you. This will happen because your turtle will think that you are a predator and that you are trying to eat it. Required fields are marked *. It is not illegal to own or to buy a turtle under a shell length of 4 inches, again, unless it is a protected species. Some owners even choose to use a soft toothbrush to pet their turtles shell. this is highly unlikely however if you make a sea turtle upset or angry or make it feel endangered it most likely will try to bite or do something to youno I was bitten on the back of the head. This will help your pet get used to your presence. However, that is just a case of Hollywood artistic license in reality, turtles cannot pee in this way. Another great way to make your turtle more comfortable with you is to use food to develop a relationship. In susceptible people and animals, salmonellosis can cause severe gastrointestinal disease, with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramping, fever, or septicemia (blood infection). Also, their bladder is located near their tail, and picking them up can put pressure on their bladder and cause them to release urine. "Turtle urine causes brain damage in humans when it comes in contact with the eyes, nose, mouth, and throat," according to the U.S. We have lots more on the site to show you. There are a few theories on why turtles pee when theyre picked up. The first one is that turtles are really small, so they will have a bladder of appropriate size. Any prolapsed tissue represents a potentially life-threatening problem that should be seen by a veterinarian immediately. . Hermann tortoises and their dietary preferences can be very strange, sometimes tortoises will eat everything that is in front of them (even if they shouldnt) and other times they will become some Can Hermann Tortoises Eat Tomatoes? Also, you can always put a diaper on your turtle before picking it up! As your turtle eats, watch it and make slow movements so your pet is aware of your presence. Dont force ithold a piece of lettuce about six inches away from your pet and wait patiently. Many pets, reptiles included, can carry Salmonella, a bacterial infection that is capable of being spread to humans.