can turtle pee hurt you

Instead, turtles have bladder problems which cause them to relieve themselves by releasing fluids directly onto their skin. Keep any enclosure back from the edges of shelves, tables, or bureaus, and secure cords going to and from lights, heaters, and filters to avoid both tripping and curious mouths. But if you must, make sure to handle them gently and wash your hands thoroughly afterward. And if a snapping turtle bites you this way, the danger is even bigger due to their sharp beaks that can cut through the meat the more they maintain the bite. The easiest thing you can do is just give them regular access to water. In addition, if your turtle greets you and interacts with you, its easy to see that theyre happy. This may sound like a silly question, but it gets asked a lot! Common UTI Symptoms. If your turtle opens its mouth and moves its head upward when you pet it, you should stop because this is a sign of discomfort. Turtles and other reptiles carry Salmonella bacteria, which can be easily transmitted to people. So, even a very small turtle that maxes out ata few inches is going to require a pretty sizable aquarium. If your turtle seems uninterested in food and hunting, its likely to be unhappy. Turtles need a platform to stand on. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Clean up all feces right away. The answer is yes! If your turtle does stop eating and you are concerned that it may be ill, be sure to schedule a checkup with your veterinarian. Like many other animals, turtles are opportunistic feeders and will often continue to eat as long as food is available. It could be that your turtle is marking its territory, or it could be a sign of illness. Though turtles peeing onto their caregivers is odd and with concerning reasons. The answer to this question depends on the type of turtle. Many turtle owners report that their turtle comes up to the surface of the water to greet them when they enter the room. During the mid-1970s, some young children contracted Salmonella from their pet turtles. Another is that the acid in turtle pee can eat away at the skin, causing warts. We hope you will enjoy the site and that you will find what youre looking for.. Hissing expels air while urinating and defecating allow more space for your turtle to withdraw into its shell. In captivity, if the photoperiod (daytime length) is kept at 12-14 hours and the environmental conditions stay warm, then turtles typically do not hibernate. Any trauma to the shell should be brought to the attention of a veterinarian immediately. Urea is a waste product produced when the body breaks down protein. The bite does not cause any real damage, although it can hurt kids with tiny fingers. Many turtles enjoy being petted, but first they must get used to humans being present and interacting with them. A turtle that is in good health will actively hunt any live food you give them. On this site you will find articles that cover every basic thing that a turtle owner needs to know, as well as all the advanced stuff. They tend to pee more often on you due to wrong and frequent handling. Just be sure to use warm water and avoid getting water in their nose or eyes. Its just doing what comes naturally! If youve ever held a turtle in your hand and felt a warm, damp spot, theres a good chance that your turtle has peed on you. While this is normal behavior among turtles in nature, humans often misinterpret these actions as aggressive acts. Affiliate of Mars Inc. 2023 | Copyright VCA Animal Hospitals all rights reserved. Do turtles pee? Can turtle pee hurt you? The same is true for light shining through the sides of a glasstank. Men and women of any age can experience dysuria, but it's more common in women. If your turtle is energetic and active, thats a great sign that its comfortable in its environment. Both require the experience of a knowledgeable reptile veterinarian. Even if using the cloaca is less exhausting for the turtle, in normal circumstances a turtle wont be able to survive for long periods of time using only the cloaca. While turtles generally dont go out of their way to do so, they may release urine as a defense mechanism if they feel threatened or are startled. Most commonly, it is associated with poor husbandry, including improper environmental temperature or light cycles, inadequate nest sites, and/or improper diet (malnutrition). Dystocia, or egg binding, occurs when the female turtle is unable to pass her eggs. This is the place from where turtles urinate, defecate and lay eggs. This means that they tend to be quite skittish around people they dont know. Turtles are more active and playful than most people realize, but they are also naturally nervous and shy animals. 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. The needed frequency of this will depend on the size of your tank and whether or not you use a separate tank at mealtimes, but you should change the water before it becomes dirty or foul smelling. Throw another turtle into the mix and you are looking at an even bigger tank. Although this isnt proven by research or science, several myths and old wives tales about turtle pee causing warts are well-known. And well talk about those and a few more related topics in this blog. If you have a UTI the tubes and your bladder get red and irritated (inflammation). Another great way to make your turtle more comfortable with you is to. Taking good care of your pet is the first step to relieving any stress it may feel. Turtles feel much safer in water than on land, and handling turtles in water helps acclimate them to touch. If you're always looking for the bathroom because you have to pee upwards of eight times a day and it's not just uncomfortable but hurts . This site 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. But urine can turn colors far beyond what's typical, including: Red. Hi, my name is Edward Cohen. An out of whack bladder could be causing issues. However, turtles are not the only animals that release urine when theyre scared. Once this is accomplished, the turtle will swim now and then for excercise when he wants. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site does not constitute pet medical advice, please consult a licensed veterinarian in your area for pet medical advice. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. With a safe zone, your turtle can easily escape any unwanted interaction. It might disgust you to experience your little snapper peeing on you. By 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. Otherwise, leave your turtle alone until she gets used to being touched. Instead, they excrete a waste product called uric acid, which is a byproduct of their metabolism. Turtle peeing on you can be quite a nuisance. The yellow color is probably urine. Lastly, if your turtle is still peeing on you, it may be a sign of a health problem. This reflex is often triggered when theyre picked up, leading to an accidental release of urine. Turtles are interesting creatures. They love the water. A red-eared slider's shell is remarkably strong, but it can be injured. Do snapping turtles recognize their owners? A lack of safe drinking water is a common result of disasters, natural or otherwise. Considering that they are instinctually intelligent, peeing on you isnt normal. This is Shuvo Mahfuz, one of the main authors of NursingPets.com. If it does, you can try some low intensity exercises. We are a passionate group of writers and researchers who write about pet turtles and turtles in general. And there is the same threat of Salmonella infection from turtles to other pets as there is to humans (see the previous slide). While turtles do have the ability to hold their urine in their shell, they generally dont do so on a regular basis. You see, Turtles urinate when they're stressed; this is a normal response to feeling threatened. Don't confuse "remaining alive" with thriving. Some owners feed their turtlesin a separate area to avoid this from happening. Can Hermann Tortoises Eat Watermelons? So, why is there such a big difference in how turtles react to being picked up? If your turtle is energetic and active, thats a great sign that its comfortable in its environment. Therefore, its worth noting that box turtles arent the only turtles that pee. Aquatic turtles, such as the red-eared slider, have several unique problems. Hello, I am Victor, and I have a turtle pond that is the home of 6 turtles and 2 tortoises. Its possible that your turtle may also defecate if it feels truly threatened. They may even beg for treats, similar to a dog! They excrete waste in the form of urine, just like any other animal or turtle. Manage Settings If you provide this regularly, then they will learn to expect it at any given moment. A good opportunity to handle your pet turtle is when its getting some sun. Forming a bond with your pet over time and gaining its trust will also help to prevent it feeling stressed when you pick it up. The first several times you handle your pet turtle, you should only hold it for a few seconds. Digging and moving around in the aquarium are also positive behaviors that mean your turtle is happy. You might not realize it, but turtling can be a result of problems with your enlargement routine. So, its better to be careful. Hence people always come with some unique queries. Patience and regular interactions with your pet turtle are the best way to ensure he/she grows accustomed to handling. But no, this is never a good idea. They can also bite, so its best to avoid putting your fingers near their mouths. When turtles get scared they can basically pee on themselves. 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. For instance, baby turtles or hatchlings are more sensitive to touch as they are not used to that. Regardless of the tissue or organ prolapsed, all can become traumatized, become dried out, or suffer from compromised blood flow. When theyre picked up, they may feel cold and release urine as a way to warm themselves up. What do we learn here? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. But some people argue that even in such situations we have plenty to drink, as long as we don't turn up our noses at it. So asking yourself if they drink water is quite understandable, especially since they spend most of their time in the water, where it can be quite hard to see what they do. A bubbler can help to aerate the water and improve water quality. I have been an animal enthusiast for many years now and I love them. Build a consistent routine by feeding your turtle at the same time everyday. Just like the excrement of other animals, it contains the body's metabolic waste products which can be harmful for humans especially children and pregnant women. You will need to supplement ambient light with a quality UV light source placed over the tank. Try feeding your turtle by hand after some time. Not all turtles that use their cloaca for breathing are able to achieve such long periods underwater, but they are able to spend a lot more time than they would have without the cloaca. Other signs you might have an STI include: Itchiness. Salmonellosis is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. Removal of the stones generally requires surgery plus fluid therapy to prevent kidney damage. Turtles urine contains high levels of uric acid, which can lead to gout, kidney stones, and even cancer. So the quantity of pee that gets out is very small, which makes it very hard to see. If you have any questions left, please feel free to leave them in the comment section and I will answer them as soon as possible. Can box turtle pee hurt you? Between feedings, you can sneak some tasty morsels into your pets bowl. Make sure you put your pet away after he or she plays with these toys because they can chew through anything. 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. However, someone who owns a turtle and can no longer care for it might think that theres a perfect spot in a nearby pond or forest that would be just the place for a turtle. A good general rule is to siphon about 1/2 of the water out once a week, replacing it with clean water. Your veterinarian will perform a physical examination, palpate the turtles abdomen, and take radiographs (X-rays) to diagnose the problem. Turtles can be very mysterious creatures, so mysterious that even now we dont know that much about their behavior. Patience and regular interaction with your turtle are the best ways to help it grow more comfortable with being handled. A turtle that is six months to one year old can't go more than a day without eating. Moreover, if your turtle isnt used to handling by you or humans, it could pee on you as a defense mechanism. The main reason why turtles get this disease is because they cannot filter their own waste properly. Perhaps most importantly, just because a UV bulb is lit doesnt necessarily mean that its outputting sufficient UV rays. 10. You shouldn't force yourself to pee if you don't have to for medical reasons. Use a filter to keep the tank clean and be sure to change the filter regularly. 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. Any of these foods can be dusted with calcium powder to provide an extra boost of this vital nutrient. Laurie Hess, DVM; Rick Axelson, DVM, Contributors: Laurie Hess, DVM; Rick Axelson, DVM. If given the opportunity, most wild red-eared sliders will attempt to hibernate, depending on the subspecies and its native locale. " Turtle urine causes brain damage in humans when it comes in contact with your skin ." Do turtles poop? If your turtle pees on you, theyre probably feeling scared or threatened. Although shell fractures can be serious, the shell is bone and often can be repaired. While uric acid doesnt have the same composition as urine, it does have a similar appearance and smell. But, when you do decide to pick up your turtle, be sure to support their weight from underneath and keep a firm grip, so they dont fall and hurt themselves. The most popular one is that its a natural defense mechanism. It should be a calm hiding place where your pet doesnt have to worry about being bothered. If you enjoy the content that we create, please consider saying a "Thank You!" 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. So, its best to be careful and keep clean. Orange. But if you're urinating more than nine times a day, there could be an underlying problem, such as an overactive bladder, UTI . You just have to pick your turtle up, and you will be able to see that your turtle will start to pee. While it's hard to resist, overfeeding a turtle can lead to serious consequences. Never enter the safe zone! As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Some turtles will also hiss under stress. This will definitely encourage him/her to like you. Pet turtles may accidentally be dropped or may fall off tables if they escape from their aquariums or are left unattended. We have lots more on the site to show you. Remember that its not in the typical turtles nature to be extremely social. One of the most pronounced ones is its potential to cause human brain damage when it comes into your contact. "Turtle urine causes brain damage in humans when it comes in contact with the eyes, nose, mouth, and throat," according to the U.S. No release If you do have a legal pet turtle you can no longer keep, do not release it into the wild. And the most renowned assumption is that its a type of defense mechanism for turtles. 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? This kind of thing can also be a deliberate defensive mea. After all, turtles are strange creatures, so its not surprising that people are curious about their bodily functions. Do make sure to read its body language. vent), which is located at the base of their tail (we have discussed it above). Turtles and water are of course inseparable. 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. Some turtles are more outgoing and curious than others, making them more likely to enjoy being handled. Remember that just because your turtle accepts your affection sometimes does not mean that it will always be receptive to human interaction. The pee they released on you isnt actually urine. Put a heat light also. There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that turtle pee can cause brain damage. For one, the frequency of urination can vary depending on the time of year. If the penis stays out, it can become traumatized and swollen or can be bitten by another turtle, preventing it from reverting back into the shell and ultimately causing a serious problem. However, there are some potential risks associated with exposure to turtle urine. The team also found that the turtles carry a gene that produces a specialized protein that. A turtles life is an endless circle of food going in and waste coming outoften at the same time. Your email address will not be published. There is a common misconception that turtles dont urinate. Turtle urine can contain harmful bacteria that can cause infections. While observing your turtle, stand near its aquarium and make slow movements. After awhile, you can try to feed your turtle by hand. Usually this is a result of being handled or picked up suddenly, especially if theyre not used to being held. Cloudy white. The turtle also may not be getting appropriate ultraviolet light. Understanding these problems will allow you to better care for your pet and minimize future health care issues. Its best for your turtle to have something to rest their feet on, whether thats your hand, arm, or another solid surface you can hold. However, if a turtle doesnt urinate for a long time, it could die. If you don't have young children, turtles can be great pets, but they require extra care to avoid passing salmonella to your kids. While controversial, most veterinarians feel it is best to try to prevent captive red-eared sliders from hibernating, since hibernation is very stressful on the body, and sub-clinical illnesses can manifest themselves during the immunocompromise that accompanies hibernation. This may be because warts are often found on the hands and feet, the same body parts that come into contact with turtles. The answer is yes; turtles can pee. Any animal lover would recoil at the prospect of leaving a cat or dog to its own devices in the wild. Hence, its best to err on the side of caution and avoid contact with turtle urine if possible. Do not grab the sides of the shell of a Snapping Turtle as the head may whip around and bite you. The regular color of urine varies. Its a common phenomenon that has puzzled turtle owners and experts for years. Turtles are commonly incriminated as a cause of Salmonella bacterial infection in children. Those are the questions that we will explore in the rest of the article. Moreover, you can consider bathing your turtle. Like all reptiles, turtles excrete uric acid as waste. In fact, they have to pee to get rid of the waste products they produce. Start gently and gradually. Turtles pee out of fear, pressure, and feeling threatened. Before I wrap up, I want to touch on how you can get your pet turtle to like you. Required fields are marked *. When turtles get scared, they release a small amount of urine. read more On ReptileJam.com we have a deep passion and interest for all kinds of reptiles. Wiki User. Splashing around in the water and basking regularly are some other signs of a happy turtle. 96 Continue this thread Log in 24/7 to access your pets health care information. There are a few main aspects of survival that are essential to turtles, and if you can take care of these needs, youll be well on your way to creating a close relationship with your turtle. Required fields are marked *. With enough time and patience, your turtle will learn to associate that area with urinating and will start to use it as their designated bathroom spot. Dysuria means you feel pain or a burning sensation when you pee (urinate). Have a dedicated area for cleaning reptiles items, separate from the area humans items are cleaned. While drinking a little bit of your own urine probably won't hurt you, it's definitely not as safe as a . Keep working on hand-feeding, and with time and patience, you can try petting your turtle again. Once your turtle is comfortable eating from your hand, try lightly petting its neck and head while it eats.