I have a small(baby) red eared slider and i heard that they can get salmonella.Can that really get to people easily??
2007-07-22 11:49:06 · 10 answers · asked by chihuahua 1 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
I used to have a couple of red-eared sliders and I myself never contracted salmonella from them. But, on the other hand, my boyfriend has one and his mother doesn't even feed it because she can very easily contract salmonella due to her weakened immune system. Its all subjective really. Turtles, as almost all reptiles, need the bacteria salmonella to live. Its the equivalent of E Coli to humans. It lives in their digestive systems. Even you're young and healthy, you should always wash your hands after handling your little friend or touching anything in its tank. Don't let small kids play with it unless they're supervised and you know they've washed up well!
Good luck with your new pet!
2007-07-22 11:55:22 · answer #1 · answered by Ana Makes Art. 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have had several Red Eared Sliders and also Box Turtles. Some can carry Samonella but if you are careful to wash your hands before and after handling them you should have no problems. The reason I mentioned washing hands before you handle them is because Turtles can be subject to upper respiratory illnesses. If you have a cold or a virus it is possible for the Human to pass this germ to the turtle.
2007-07-22 13:41:18 · answer #2 · answered by Terry R 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes Red Ear Sliders do have Salmonella, After u handle your RES u need to wash your hands every time u pick your turtle, or touch it... Here a website for u so can know everything about your RES ...... Good luck with your new RES baby turtle..
2007-07-22 12:33:12 · answer #3 · answered by <3 Turtle Owner<3 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If they are young you shouldn't have a problem keeping them together at first compatibility-wise, but you have to make sure you have enough room for them later when they get big (up to twelve inches of shell each!). If you are buying both as adults from a pet store, you may want to watch and make sure that you don't pick two hugely aggressive turtles. If you have had one for a long time and are introducing another into the tank, you want to be very careful. The one who has been there longer will most likely show signs of territorial aggression, in which case one turtle will end up attacked and/or dead (I don't know how often the latter happens, but turtles do fight). So long as you keep the tank large enough (I would say at least 55 gallons for the two) and make sure they don't fight, they should be okay. You can feed them in separate containers if you're worried about them being greedy over food, but if you start doing this, you have to keep doing it, as they're going to battle it out once you start feeding them together.
2016-04-01 07:39:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hatchlings are more likely to carry salmonella than adults but there is always a chance they have it. Turtles are a look-don't touch pet so the owner should never really get it and washing hands after touching will prevent that from happening. They do require a large tank (ten gallons per inch of shell), water heater, dock, filter, heat bulb, uvb 5% bulb, two light fixtures and more though so be prepared to spend a lot of money to take care of them-that is your bigger concern. This link should help you http://redearslider.com/startup.html
Good luck.
2007-07-22 15:26:16 · answer #5 · answered by Adam 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Supposedly in their feces is where it is and since they swim in their bathroom it can also be in the water on them etc..in babies only I heard though and only one case ever was reported. That is why they ban the sale of a turtle whos shell is less then 4". I never got it and never heard of any cases but one and as a long time ago. simple wash ur hands and dont put ur hands in ur mouth..especially after handling or cleaning the cage.
2007-07-22 16:16:56 · answer #6 · answered by turtlelvr51 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this is true with any and all animals, but mostly turtles that have been fed raw chicken or meats contract the... whatever it is lol...
either way, its a MUST that you wash your hands with soap whenever handling him or his things!
be sure to wash his shell with a soft-tooth brush when if he gets a little slimey
2007-07-22 12:59:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes turtles can catch it but there special tabs to stop that and you ant get it aslong as you wash your hands
2007-07-22 15:43:06 · answer #8 · answered by thomas 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes it can and also dont hold it a lot becuase it can get sick or even get u sick
2007-07-22 15:30:39 · answer #9 · answered by reptile lover 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/caresheet-red_ear_slider.htm
Good source of info!
2007-07-22 12:45:07 · answer #10 · answered by KimbeeJ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋