does it harm the animal??
2007-07-15 18:58:18 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Reptiles
Years ago they used to put a small dab (SMALL) of nail polish to identify the difference between turtles. Nail polish is perfectly fine for painting turtles. Researchers, breeders and etc. need to mark turtles and nail polish is commonly used. Some will use paints as well, but with anything, weathering will wear away at the paint on the shell. Nothing is permanent.
As for danger, it's as dangerous as painting your own finger nail with nail polish or paint. The turtle's outer covering, scutes are made up of the same materials as our fingernails, keratin.
As for shedding of the scutes... the nail polish will not affect the shedding of the scutes whatsoever. There is no harm. I have used it for years and many others in the field use this method as well. It's safe.
There is a certain paint out there that is used and will not harm the turtle, but I wouldn't advise it... You never stated as to what kind of turtle or what kind of paint...
2007-07-15 19:02:38 · answer #1 · answered by AnimalManiac 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Painted Turtle Shell
2016-11-14 19:46:14 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It CAN harm the turtle.
It is one thing to place a little mark. It is quite another to PAINT the turtle!
If you need to identify the turtle apart from others, then a little mark isn't going to hurt if it's keratin is intact.
If you are talking about actually "painting" the shell...then that could interfere with THERMOREGULATION and VITAMIN D3 SYNTHESIS ( blocking UVB ).
Do not do it.
Anything which is painted on the shell has the potential of harming the turtle. I would also be weary of anything oil or volatile solvent based.
2007-07-15 23:41:10 · answer #3 · answered by Fireside3/Phrynosoma-Texas 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Actually, Yes and no! A turtles shell is just like our nails and hair.Yes, it can absorb toxins but will it kill a turtle.Only way would be if you put a heavy paintjob on the entire shell.I agree to just leave it alone.Find another way to mark your turtles.
2016-03-22 19:19:30 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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No. Turtles absorb through their skin and shell. Anything you put on the shell will either block air, or be asorbed. Enjoy your turtle with the 'paint job' NATURE put on it. Don't cause your animal harm, please. It is not a toy and deserves to be cared for. Thank you, and enjoy your pet in a safe, healthy way.
2016-04-10 03:41:58 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
painting a turtles shell does harm the animal. If you need to identify it in a certain way..please talk with a vet with experience to see what they recommend. nail polish is safe for a small temporary mark.
2007-07-15 19:08:37 · answer #6 · answered by LYNN W 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
1
2017-02-25 14:17:39 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is actually a pretty common practice among some breeders to mark the shell with a dab of nail polish. I hope you do not intend to make a masterpiece of his shell, only to use it as an identifying mark.
2007-07-15 19:24:16 · answer #8 · answered by Darla G 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It probably will not harm the animal unless it gets into the water then absorbed into the turtle most paint that will stay on a turtles shell anyhow is probably poisonous. I would not try it if I were you.
2007-07-15 19:01:34 · answer #9 · answered by SummerRain Girl 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
NO! The shell is living tissue.If you cut it,it will bleed! Turtles will absorb toxins through the shell,so please DO NOT paint it.You could very well kill your turtle,or at the very least ,cause a fungal infection on the shell,which is very hard to treat. Here is the link to a site that explains it further.
http://www.petfish.net/forum/index.php?topic=48172.0
2007-07-15 19:59:20 · answer #10 · answered by Dances With Woofs! 7 · 2⤊ 3⤋