I have a 5 year old toirtoise and I thought it would be cool if I painted his shell.
Can I do that?
I would use washable kid finger painting paint.
Would this harm my tortoise?
2007-11-03 05:23:43 · 15 answers · asked by n o r a ☼ 4 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
Some people said no to this idea, and I understand why, but...
There is a HUGE difference between different paints. Paint that is thick, strongly chemical based, does not stretch, etc. are bad. In the 60's, we saw lots of little Red-ear Sliders horribly disfigured by thick coats of what amounted to fingernail polish on their shells.
However... many researchers and experienced keepers use acrylic- and latex-based paints, even house paint, to mark tortoises for tracking purposes. In general, they mark the tortoise and leave the paint on until it wears off.
They researched this carefully before they started doing it and found it to be as safe as possible for the tortoises. It has now been a standard practice for several decades.
While I am not a fan of painting turtles and tortoises, I am willing to agree to it IF...
- the paint is considered safe for human skin (face paint, for example)
- it is not left on for more than about a day (the shorter the better)
- the paint can be removed with simple water and a gentle scrub
- it is only used on the shell, and
- the turtle or tortoise gets the proper cares during the process and while painted (which makes it tough for water turtles!)
I use these guidelines to provide a safe experience for the tortoise. We know that they can tolerate much 'harsher' paints and such, but why risk it- especially for a baby?
2007-11-04 12:51:20 · answer #1 · answered by Madkins007 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Painted Tortoise Shell
2016-12-17 10:07:33 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
better to have the tortoise paint the kid instead
my personal opinion would be NO, even though its non toxic the scutes of the shell could absorb stuff that is in the paint that is not natural.
2007-11-03 05:37:51 · answer #3 · answered by Ajaxnl 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
If you want to paint it that would be cool. you should go on the interner and look up whether or not it would be safe to do that. Even though i think it would look cool it doesn't matter what we think it matters what is safe for your pet.
2007-11-03 05:33:10 · answer #4 · answered by Brandy T 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would look on the label of the paint and make sure it is non toxic!
2007-11-03 05:33:28 · answer #5 · answered by ROBERT 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I don't think it would. It might not stay on there, but it wouldn't hurt him. The shell is simply an outer protection. My neighbor has a tortise and he carved the name in the shell a couple years ago and the tortise is perfectly fine. Have fun!
2007-11-03 05:26:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
what would PETA say about this, lol?
seriously, I doubt it would hurt. especially if it's washable paint. just ask him what color he wants to be first.
2007-11-03 05:31:14 · answer #7 · answered by t3pps 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
thatd looks cool but be careful to dont get any paint on the tutle itslef. have fun!
2007-11-03 05:31:24 · answer #8 · answered by cx 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
well it depents on if you use washable paint or not if you do i dont think it will hert it
2007-11-03 05:28:38 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
NO, NO ,NO .the shell can absorbe harmfull chemicals just like it absorbs uva/uvb light.(cant believe some of the answers on here).
2007-11-03 06:04:58 · answer #10 · answered by reptile king 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋