does box turtles carry salmonella?

Answer 1

Yes, and it is HIGHLY recommended that people thoroughly wash their hands after handling them.

Answer 2

Box Turtle Salmonella

Answer 3

Let's look at this factually.

Salmonella is the germ, Salmonellosis is the disease. Salmonella lives on contaminated surfaces, fecal material, etc. It is found in most water turtle and fish setups; on most room temperature chicken, eggs, or meats; can be found on many bills and coins, etc.

You can fight the germs with simple hand washing and sanitation, but you can get the disease easily anyway.

Salmonellosis usually shows up in about a day, lasts about a day, and usually goes away with few long-term effects. The most common symptoms are diarrhea and vomiting or nausea. We often call it the 24 Hour Bug or the Stomach Flu. (No form of the flu causes these symptoms- it is usually Salmonella or another food poisoning.)

Box Turtles, like other animals, can have Salmonella IN them or ON them. They would have it IN them if they have eaten or drank contaminated things and the germs are growing in their body. They would then come out in the feces.

They can have the germs ON them by being in contact with their feces or other germ sources.

With Box Turtles and many other 'dry tank' reptiles, we can minimize the risks by keeping the tank clean, removing old food and feces quickly, keeping the animal healthy, and so on.

Even with good cares, it can still possibly have some Salmonella, so wash your hands after handling it.

Answer 4

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Yes, box turtles can carry salmonella. Most reptiles can. I have had just about every kind of reptile and have never had a problem with it. You just have to keep there cages clean and wash your hands with warm soapy water.

Answer 5

All turtles carry salmonella.

Answer 6

All reptiles carry a certain amount of salmonella on them. It's naturally in their wastes and can get on their skin. You don't need to worry though unless you're being an idiot and decide to kiss/lick/or otherwise put your mouth on the reptile or on your hands after handling your reptile.

The cleaner you keep the reptile's enclosure, the less salmonella will be present. This is because its wastes will add up and reptiles don't make a habit of going AROUND them, just mosseying on through it. O.o Gross, I know. This is why I clean up wastes from my snake the moment I see it. It keeps you and your pet reptile healthy

Answer 7

No. The water turtles do. These turtles are pretty clean other than the fact they poop a lot. On a few occassions I have not washed my hand after petting them and had never gotten sick. You should always wash your hands after handling animals but they do not carry salmonella. Box turtles rock! http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/103662/sophie_adams.html

Answer 8

yes anything that comes out of a shell carries salmonella

Answer 9

My box turtle is 30 years old and he hasn't made me sick. This was a warning pertaining to small water turtles under a certain size being transported in. When is doubt, use common sense and good hygiene.

Answer 10

Every reptile carries salmonella !!!! but that cant stop you from taking them! proper hygiene is the key ! good luck

Answer 11

No.

This myth got started when kids had those water turtles...you could buy them very young - about the size of a silver dollar. A few genius kids put them in their mouths and got sick.

I had a box turtle for years, and never got sick (he was too big to fit in my mouth...)