Is this true or is she bullshitting me again?
2006-12-29 05:37:28 · 21 answers · asked by jonnybeanos 2 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
your brothers girlfriend needs a slap. I bet she cries if she gets mud on her shoes.
2006-12-29 05:41:20 · answer #1 · answered by neogriff 5 · 0⤊ 6⤋
yes you can catch salmonella from any reptile especially terrapins the animal may not have the disease but there is a chance it could even if it shows no sings as salmonella can lay dormant in many reptiles you should wash your hands thoroughly and wipe down any surface that has been in contact with the reptile. if contracted by humans the symptoms are sharp stomach pain fever and green diarrhea. you probably have more chance of getting salmonella from handling raw chicken so don't worry to much.
2006-12-29 07:32:47 · answer #2 · answered by nathanpayneuk 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No she is not bullshitting you if you touch a terrapin and do not wash your hands after you stand a good chance of catching salmonella which as we all know can be a killer. Be careful!
2006-12-29 06:22:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should wash your hands after you touch ANY animal, but especially after handling a reptile. Reptiles can transmit salmonella and other diseased in their feces (NOT their mouths, unless they've deficated in their water bowl), then again, so can cats, dogs, and other animals.
Salmonella can be transmitted from the female turtle to the eggs, so unless the eggs were treated some how at the breeding facility (if the animals are captive bred - many in pet stores are wild-caught), there's always a possibility of salmonella.
Having said that, I've handled over 250 turtles in the last few years, and have never caught anything. HOWEVER, I ALWAYS wash my hands after caring for my turtles or examining a new one. I wash my hands in between different turtles and/or enclosures, too, so that I don't risk exposing other diseases from one turtle to another.
Katrina
2006-12-29 05:59:30 · answer #4 · answered by beautifuljoe1313 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's the same as if you went to a local farm and touched goats. They carry germs.
Turtles tend to carry salmonella. After you touch one, you should definitely wash your hands with soap and water. Otherwise, you have an increased chance of catching salmonella which is not pleasant to deal with.
2006-12-29 05:47:37 · answer #5 · answered by Wendy C 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should always wash your hands after touching any kind of reptile since they carry diseases such as salmonella.It is very important especially with terrapins.
2006-12-29 06:01:12 · answer #6 · answered by Tuna 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Terrapins only carry salmonella if they are fed chicken.
I have had a terrapin for just over a year now and handle him every now and again and he's fine, and i haven't caught a thing.
2006-12-29 05:48:47 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I used to own 2 terrapins and it is true they carry bacteria,not that I handled mine very often they used to bite!
2006-12-29 05:43:03 · answer #8 · answered by MANC & PROUD 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Quite correct to wash your hands. They carry salmonella and other nasties. Don't feel you are being over the top, it could be very nasty for you if you get poisoning in this way.
2006-12-29 05:51:11 · answer #9 · answered by Spiny Norman 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i used to have a terrapin called Brian - that's definitely right however i suppose you should was your hands after touching any animal
2006-12-29 05:43:20 · answer #10 · answered by ? 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
if you touch any reptile and don't wash your hands afterwards you can get salmonella. before you touch any reptile you must wash your hands and after touching a reptile. i hope my answer has helped.
2006-12-29 06:22:50 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋