Do turtles really have a disease?

Question

i tried to get a turtle but they said i couldnt becuase it had some kind of diesase..does anyone know anything about this???

Answer 1

They're probably talking about Salmonella, a bacteria which is commonly found on reptiles including turtles. It doesn't hurt them, but it can make humans very sick (nasty diarrhea etc.).
It is spread by touching the animal or its cage, bowls, or whatever it has touched, and then touching your mouth or face.
It can be prevented by thoroughly washing your hands after you have touched a reptile or its cage.
But, if 'they' are your parents, they might not want to take the risk.

Answer 2

Historically, baby turtles were caught by the millions in nice, warm ponds that were perfect for turtles- human waste-water settling ponds.




Anytime you have something virtually living in fecal material, the animal will be infested with Salmonella- a common food poisoning germ.

In the 70's, laws were passed to protect people from the risks of these turtles. Bigger turtles are usually safe because they are caught in cleaner ponds.

Since then, the law has existed vitually unchanged even though captive-bred turtles raised in decent conditions do not carry the disease.

Or- at least, that is the official version!

The REAL reason for the law is to help prevent the death of millions of poor baby turtles.

You see- for some stupid reason, people thought baby turtles were great, easy to care for pets and started to keep them in ridiculously tiny bowls, feed them garbage, and basically ignore every need they have to stay healthy.

This type of care almost guaranteed the turtle would die in a few months rather than living the full 20+ years a captive turtle should.

Even today, people have horribly distorted ideas of how to raise baby turtles. Check out this forum for proof- people constantly recommend small cages (baby turtles need at LEAST 10 gallons of water to swim in per inch of shell); lettuce or other bad dietary choices (baby turtles DO NOT eat vegetation in the wild); no mention of lighting needs (they NEED some UV light to be healthy, etc.), and so forth.

If you get a turtle, or indeed ANY pet, you just need to wash your hands after handling to avoid getting Salmonella or anything else they may be carrying- no big deal!

Answer 3

The "disease" you're referring to is Salmonella, just as Ratlover1 said. All egg-laying animals have the potential to carry Salmonella bacteria, but are not affected by it. If you do handle a turtle or any other reptile for that matter, make sure you wash your hands thoroughly after and do not handle the reptile around any surfaces that regularly come into contact with food or beverages. Also, it is good practice to keep them away from young children (who have the propensity to put things in their mouths), the elderly, or any other people with reduced immune function, as they could more easily contract a bacterial infection from Salmonella. These are really only standard precautions. If you make sure to follow standard hygienic practices, you can enjoy keeping turtles and other reptiles with no worry of catching a "disease."

Answer 4

Turtles may be cute, but as a matter of fact yes they can carry some pretty nasty diseases salmonella for one you just have to be careful lot's of reptiles can carry diseases..

Answer 5

Salmonella is a very real danger to humans, especially children who don't always take care to wash their hands after handling pets. Salmonella can be fatal in children.

Answer 6

yes and very smelly too.