Usually this is a result of being handled or picked up suddenly, especially if theyre not used to being held. According to Dr. Adam Denish, of Rhawnhurst Animal Hospital in Pennsylvania, thinking that a turtle should look sick for it to be a threat is a mistake. While pet ownership has turned manyunlikely combinations of animals into lifelong friends(and cute internet memes), it only takes a moment for instinct to take over and turn a friend into food. Bites from a young turtle will have no major effect on your skin and will certainly not hurt like bites from an adult turtle. They may even beg for treats, similar to a dog! One technique involves cutting the shell and then repairing it following the procedure; the second technique involves making an incision in front of and through the muscles of the pelvis and hind limbs to enter the abdominal cavity. They will lay out under the. The young and the elderly are more at risk for complications. A healthy, gravid (with eggs) turtle may not eat, but will still be bright, active, and alert. With enough time and patience, your turtle will learn to associate that area with urinating and will start to use it as their designated bathroom spot. Happy and healthy turtles will have normal bodily functions such as defecating on a regular basis. This means that they tend to be quite skittish around people they dont know. It may be a reflection of a dirty tank and infrequent water changes. Can box turtle pee hurt you? Its likely that the way you treated him made it seem like he felt threatened. Never enter the safe zone! Many other animals, including humans, have this same reflex. Like all reptiles, turtles excrete uric acid as waste. It is transmitted in an animal's feces (pronounced FEE-seez), which is a scientific word for poop. Dont keep them too long in your hands, being gripped is unnatural for them, so it is quicker for them to be in a defensive mode. Use a filter to keep the tank clean and be sure to change the filter regularly. When turtles get scared, they release a small amount of urine. Because taking care of them for the vast majority of my life wasnt fulfilling enough, I decided to begin educating others about them through my articles. Holding your breath while urinating or pushing with your abdominal muscles to speed up the process won't hurt you if you do it once in a while, but if this is an everyday habit, it may weaken your bladder, says Jenny Archer, PT, DPT, a pelvic floor therapist based in Nashville, Tennessee. Turtle Pee Can Be Lethal! Once this is accomplished, the turtle will swim now and then for excercise when he wants. The urea travels through the reptiles ' bloodstreams to their mouths, so it's not technically urination. And a few theories backed it from the behind. 3. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If your turtle seems uninterested in food and hunting, its likely to be unhappy. Also, you can always put a diaper on your turtle before picking it up! Some animals make noises or bite, while others may run and hide. Turtles arent known for showing much emotion, but if yours isnt giving you any love back, dont fret; turtles usually live alone and wont feel left out unless you neglect its water bowl. Its up to you, but remember to handle it with care. Your email address will not be published. However, it's better to leave the turtle alone if it appears fearful and threatened by you. Second, you can try to train your turtle to urinate in a specific area. One of the keys to keeping your pet turtles happy is consistent feeding. Instead, they excrete a waste product called uric acid, which is a byproduct of their metabolism. Infected animals and people carry the bacteria in their gastrointestinal tracts and shed the bacteria in their feces, serving as a source of infection to others. Green. They tend to pee more often on you due to wrong and frequent handling. Wild turtles are commonly found on the side of the road after getting hit by cars and suffering from serious shell fractures. Find out yours. But if you pick them up they'll likely pee on you, so watch out. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Dont force ithold a piece of lettuce about six inches away from your pet and wait patiently. And land turtles that dont spend any time underwater have little to no use for the breathing abilities of the cloaca. And after reading this blog, you know that turtles have a well-developed urinary system. -If your immune system is weak, other health problems may arise. Symptoms of salmonellosis include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Regardless of the tissue or organ prolapsed, all can become traumatized, become dried out, or suffer from compromised blood flow. Is turtle Pee harmful to humans? A good general rule is to siphon about 1/2 of the water out once a week, replacing it with clean water. The pee they released on you isnt actually urine. As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. So, even a very small turtle that maxes out ata few inches is going to require a pretty sizable aquarium. So, youre looking for a new companion pet and youve decided that aTestudinecould be the right fit for you. Box Turtle vs Painted Turtle - What is the Difference. You can find more details on traction wrapping in this article. Whether turtle, tortoise or terrapin, a pet with four legs and a shell can make for a fine companion. Yes, turtles pee through their cloaca, which is an orifice that is a combination of an anus, urethra, and gills. Unless it's a protected species, it's not illegal to own a turtle under a 4 inch shell. Coates adds that every month or two, the entire tank should be drained and thoroughly cleaned. If he does, then give him a few light pats. In most turtle species, females will grow quite a bit larger than males, so this is also important to consider, she adds. It could be a defense mechanism, or the turtle could be scared or feeling stressed, or they may be unable to control their muscles. Another is that the acid in turtle pee can eat away at the skin, causing warts. You shouldnt pick up your pet turtle too quickly; even though he/she seems accustomed to being handled, you never know how much stress this activity causes him/her. How Can You Stop Turtle Peeing on you? In male turtles, the penis (which is a surprisingly large, black organ with a spade-shaped end) may periodically prolapse out of the vent and become visible outside the body when the turtle is stressed or acting sexual, but then it should revert back into the shell easily. A good idea for reducing stress related to handling is to. If your turtle doesnt seem to be digesting properly, its a good idea to take them to the vet. In fact, all turtles pee. Patience and regular interaction with your turtle are the best ways to help it grow more comfortable with being handled. Lets start with the cloaca. Before purchasing a turtle, check the laws in your municipality regarding legal ownership of pet turtles. Yes, turtles can urinate on us but not because they want to get rid of their waste products. However, it is important to note that not all turtles will react this way. A good way to get your turtle used to being around humans is to feed him/her regularly. A turtle that is six months to one year old can't go more than a day without eating. They will also begin associating your presence with something good. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Turtles love being outside, especially during springtime. Due to the way things are arranged on the inside of the turtle this process is less exhausting than normal breathing. As your turtle eats, watch it and make slow movements so your pet is aware of your presence. This usually results from improper nutrition and/or dehydration. Simply make sure that your turtle is provided with a healthy diet, clean water, a well-conditioned tank, and a warm basking spot. We dont know many things about them yet or arent sure. In the spring and summer, when theyre eating more and their metabolism is higher, box turtles produce more urine than in the other seasons. A good guide is tengallons of tank space for each inch of turtle, at a minimum. Can box turtle pee hurt you? But straining that hard is an indication of a serious problem He may have an intestinal blockage, and straining can cause him to have an intestinal prolapse when part of the intestine comes out of the cloaca/anus. Just be sure to use warm water and avoid getting water in their nose or eyes. There is also a belief that turtle pee is contagious and can spread warts from one person to another. FYI, ingesting turtle pee can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even death. Yes, you read it right. However, this does not mean you let turtles pee on you while handling them. Turtles pee out of fear, pressure, and feeling threatened. Small children handling turtles should be supervised to ensure they dont place them near their eyes or mouths and that they wash their hands afterwards. Dysuria means you feel pain or a burning sensation when you pee (urinate). The team also found that the turtles carry a gene that produces a specialized protein that. However, this does not mean you let turtles pee on you while handling them. While sunlight will provide all the ultraviolet light a turtle needs in the wild, its not enough to simply have your enclosure near a sunlit window. Understanding these problems will allow you to better care for your pet and minimize future health care issues. They can also spin around quickly or even lunge. Its always best to wash your hands thoroughly after handling your turtle or cleaning its enclosure. The first several times you handle your pet turtle, you should only hold it for a few seconds. While they don't really cuddle or purr, turtles do have . This is not a normal occurrence and should be addressed by a veterinarian immediately. Required fields are marked *. Urinary tract infections are commonly associated with dysuria. 5: Lower Exercise Intensity to Prevent Turtling. However, these tests only show infection if they are shedding the bacteria in their stool at that time.. However, that is just a case of Hollywood artistic license in reality, turtles cannot pee in this way. And also one of the places from where they breathe. If you can get your turtle to associate you with these essential parts of their life, theyll feel more comfortable around you. Some people may have believed that turtles pee out of their mouths because of a scene in the popular movie Finding Nemo. Have you ever held a turtle and felt a warm stream of urine run down your arm? Required fields are marked *. It is likely based on the individual personalities. Read our advice on understanding turtle behavior and forming a relationship with your turtle below! Never pick up a turtle by the tail, as this can injure the animal. Any prolapsed tissue may be viewed by other animals in the same tank as something to eat, and they will readily bite at the exposed tissue. Turtles often move toward humans because they feel safe around us. A dirty habitat is often the cause of turtles peeing on their owners. True or False: It's Safe to Drink Your Urine. Some turtles enjoy being picked up and will come to their owners when theyre called. Pet turtles may accidentally be dropped or may fall off tables if they escape from their aquariums or are left unattended. For instance, baby turtles or hatchlings are more sensitive to touch as they are not used to that. This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. While growing, juvenile turtles need to be fed fairly often, adult turtles can be fed a few times per week, depending on the . Hermann tortoises and their dietary preferences can be very strange, sometimes tortoises will eat everything that is in front of them (even if they shouldnt) and other times they will become some Can Hermann Tortoises Eat Tomatoes? Legislation was then passed in the United States making it illegal to sell turtles with a shell length smaller than 4 inches (10 cm) to try to prevent children from putting small turtles into their mouths. Once your turtle is comfortable eating from your hand, try lightly petting its neck and head while it eats. If you put them down on the floor, they might inch closer and closer to you. If it does, you can try some low intensity exercises. Family pets, such as dogs and cats, may chew on a helpless turtle, causing severe damage to the shell (or legs and head). Usually, turtle pee doesnt stink or smell bad. Make sure not to shake your turtle, and dont hold it too far from the ground. Since the turtle can't digest the material, it should come out with feces. The first several times you handle your pet turtle, you should only hold it for a few seconds. Mistake 2: You Push While Peeing. turtles "pee" (actually it's not urine, it's just water from their anal bladder that stores water to help the females lay eggs and also helps turts breathing under water ) because they are scared. Its thought that male turtles might also use their cloaca to expel sperm during mating, but this has not been proven. Coates warns that obesity and hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease) are two conditions that are related to overfeeding pet turtles. Instead, they will only do so if they are ill or trying to conserve water. In the water, shed skin appears as a whitish, "fuzzy" substance coming off the skin that is sometimes mistaken for fungus or other disease. Im Devin Nunn, an average joe that just so happens to have a deep love and passion for everything to do with reptiles. Turtles urine contains high levels of uric acid, which can lead to gout, kidney stones, and even cancer. Young turtles may not be strong enough to break your skin, but those with a sharp beak would probably cause harm. Many pets, reptiles included, can carry Salmonella, a bacterial infection that is capable of being spread to humans. But this doesnt mean they dont need to urinate at all. You will need to supplement ambient light with a quality UV light source placed over the tank. 7 Things That Can Make Your Pet Turtle Sick, Turtles 101: How to Clean and Care for Your Turtle's Tank, Turtle FAQs: What Kind of Turtle Do I Have and More, any pet has the potential to transmit disease, unlikely combinations of animals into lifelong friends. This can cause by several reasons like the food theyre eating (fish), your turtles may suffering from dehydration or infection. At this point, your penis should not turtle. Can turtle pee hurt you? Therefore, when youre planning on handling a turtle, its best to be prepared for a potential wetting. Can turtle pee hurt you? Nitrogen is what gives urine its characteristic odor. As a result, the turtles body dumps all of its stored urine from the bladder. Its best to hold them over a sink or a towel, so you dont make a mess. Urinary tract infection. Dont make it frequent and dont make it excessive. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Disclosure: Nursingpets.com is reader-supported. Figure out when your pet is most active, what scares it, and when it seems the most comfortable. By the time you notice this, the underlying problem likely has been going on for quite a while and may have serious long-term effects on the turtle's health. A dog or cat may view your new turtle with curiosity at first, but a simple exploratory scratch or bite can easily cause serious, andpotentially lethal, harm. So turtles do pee, but why don't we see them do it? If the material is white, the poop may also appear white. Any trauma to the shell should be brought to the attention of a veterinarian immediately. And there are several questions regarding the turtles pee. There is also the risk of one or both animals being injured, or possibly killed, by a falling aquarium. A gravid turtle with dystocia typically does not eat and rapidly becomes sick, lethargic, or unresponsive. If your turtle snaps, bites, or hisses, thats a pretty clear indication that you should take a step back and work on bonding with your pet another time. While uric acid doesnt have the same composition as urine, it does have a similar appearance and smell. These simple precautions are simply your best protection againstgetting sick. As your turtle eats, watch it and make slow movements so your pet is aware of your presence. It has the potential to cause human brain damage when it comes into contact with you so you have to be very carefulif(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'reptileshere_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_1',108,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-reptileshere_com-medrectangle-4-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'reptileshere_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_2',108,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-reptileshere_com-medrectangle-4-0_1'); .medrectangle-4-multi-108{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:7px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:7px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}, Thats why its important to alwayswash your hands after handling your turtle, If your turtle has peed on you and you want to stop this behavior carry on reading, If you want your turtle to stop peeing on you its very simple, If you have to handle your turtle, do it in a gentle and calm way. This is generally a good thing, since they wont refuse the food you give them. by leaving a tip. In general, red eared slider turtles will urinate several times a day. While your local pet store is unlikely to accept your turtle, they might be able to steer you in the right direction or allow you to post on their community boards. Splashing around in the water and basking regularly are some other signs of a happy turtle. In addition, if your turtle greets you and interacts with you, its easy to see that theyre happy. Other contributing factors include the age and physical condition of the animal, injury to or physical obstruction of the reproductive tract from deformed or oversized eggs, physical abnormalities within the reproductive tract or pelvis, infections, constipation, abscesses, or other masses. Similarly, a turtle with gastrointestinal parasites and diarrhea may strain to defecate and prolapse part of the large intestine or the cloaca (the common chamber into which the gastrointestinal, reproductive, and urinary tracts empty) out of the vent. It is caused by a variety of factors. The answer is yes! turtles "pee" (actually it's not urine, it's just water from their anal bladder that stores water to help the females lay eggs and also helps turts breathing under water ) because they are scared. As you can see, several possibilities can cause this behavior. A common opinion among turtle owners is that turtles pee when picked up because theyre scared. Its best to wait until your turtle chooses to enter an open space where it can eat and socialize. If you do have to force yourself, here are 10 strategies that may work: 1. Another great way to make your turtle more comfortable with you is to. In this blog, we will discuss those and answer some related queries. On the other hand, a turtle may urinate less often when it is cold, and its body is not producing as much waste. Putting all the disgust aside, you also might overthink if something internally could be wrong with your turtle. Lets get into more detail in this article, Before we get into ways on how to stop your turtle peeing on you. Read my articles and share them with your beloved ones. It's likely that the way you treated him made it seem like he felt threatened. While the natural instincts of turtles would probably kick in, a turtle that has been captive most or all of its life will not have the keen hunting skills of a wild one. The cloaca is the opening that turtles use for defecation and reproduction. However, turtles are not the only animals that release urine when theyre scared. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Hence people always come with some unique queries. A friendly turtle will also greet its owner with open eyes. Watch how he reacts while eating and move slowly towards him so he knows you are near. Salmonellosis is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. Just like the excrement of other animals, it contains the body's metabolic waste products which can be harmful for humans especially children and pregnant women. However, this does not mean you let turtles pee on you while handling them. Infected animals and people carry the bacteria in their gastrointestinal tracts and shed the bacteria in their feces, serving as a source of infection to others. Turtles have a powerful sense of hearing; if you make a lot of noise in or near their tank, it might stress them out. Turtles are fascinating animals with a lot of unknowns. Additionally, if a turtle has been eating a lot of fruits or vegetables, its pee may be a brighter color. They won't hurt you unless you provoke them. Here is a short video that shows how cloacal breathing works: Some turtle species like the Olive ridley sea turtle can stay almost 10 hours submerged underwater, and the air that they get through the cloaca is essential for that. If your turtle doesnt show any interest. While drinking a little bit of your own urine probably won't hurt you, it's definitely not as safe as a . So, how do turtles pee? Urine (or urine) is an end product of vital functions of the human body that secrete the kidney. When a predator picks up a turtle, it will often void its bladder as a last-ditch effort to escape. Remember that its not in the typical turtles nature to be extremely social. Can turtle pee hurt you? Because most turtles are omnivorous, many will also enjoy small fish, shrimp,and insects as a special treat. Its a natural response that can be easily remedied by placing it back in its enclosure. When a turtle is scared, its body goes into fight-or-flight mode, and it may release the uric acid (a urine-like substance) as a way to defend itself. Frequent urination can also be caused by drinking too many liquids. Keep working on hand-feeding, and with time and patience, you can try petting your turtle again. The answer is yes! If you hold them less, they will be less likely to feel the need to urinate. We hope you will enjoy the site and that you will find what youre looking for.. Dystocia, or egg binding, occurs when the female turtle is unable to pass her eggs. There are a few reasons why your turtle might be peeing on you. Some turtles are more outgoing and curious than others, making them more likely to enjoy being handled. Turtles require both Ultraviolet A and B light to survive. TurtleOwner.com is owned and operated by The Turtle Owner Team. Before I wrap up, I want to touch on how you can get your pet turtle to like you. Both require the experience of a knowledgeable reptile veterinarian. Urinating can also be a deliberate defensive response if a turtle feels like its in danger. Make sure your turtle feels secureimagine how scary it must feel to be held high in the air with its feet scrambling around! If you need to rehome a turtle, there are any number of internet groups and organizations that might be able to help find a suitable new family for it (see related links below). In all circumstances, the decision to own a pet, turtle or otherwise, is not something that should be taken lightly. The easiest thing you can do is just give them regular access to water. It is not illegal to own or to buy a turtle under a shell length of 4 inches, again, unless it is a protected species. As with any other pet, caring for turtles requires no small amount of research. I love turtles, and I write turtle-related blogs and product reviews. A baby red eared slider, for example, might be sold when its only four inches long but can be expected to eventually reach 10 to 12 inches in length, says Dr. Jennifer Coates, a veterinarian in Fort Collins, CO. This will cause a lot more damage than a simple snap. Just like any other animal with a urinary system, box turtles expel waste in the form of urine. Even if your turtle is used to being picked up, try not to handle it for an extended period of time. When you drink less, the yellow color becomes stronger. Dark brown. The same goes for adult turtles, peeing on you is a defensive move. This is the place from where turtles urinate, defecate and lay eggs. The urinary system of a turtle consists of two kidneys, a bladder, and a cloaca. Posted July 22, 2018. Your turtle certainly wont grow to adulthood overnight, but its bound to occur faster than you would think. Given that you have a turtle that youre not sure about picking up, its best to err on the side of caution and avoid it. As with any pet, its best to opt for a larger enclosure than to find yourself stuck with one thats too small. Salmonellosis is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. With appropriate treatment healthy adults tend to recover from infection with Salmonella bacteria relatively quickly. While this is normal behavior among turtles in nature, humans often misinterpret these actions as aggressive acts. If your turtles habitat is too small, they may not have enough room to urinate away from their habitats. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. The answer is yes; turtles can pee. Many turtles enjoy being petted, but first they must get used to humans being present and interacting with them. Snapping Turtles can be fast and they can bite. In general, turtles urinate less often than other animals because they have a slower metabolism. And Coates adds, depending on your turtles species, its diet, and your set-up, you may also need to provide a calcium and vitamin D supplement. Because pee itself is a bacteria containing liquid. Also, when turtles feel stressed or threatened, they could do the same. Happy turtles will eat their meals enthusiastically and appear excited when presented with food. As we mentioned earlier, Salmonella is a serious disease. While drinking a little bit of your own urine probably won't hurt you, it's definitely not as safe as a . The most common reason for your turtle to pee on you is that they're experiencing stress. For example, sea turtles only urinate every few months because they live in saltwater. Any animal lover would recoil at the prospect of leaving a cat or dog to its own devices in the wild. If you have a UTI the tubes and your bladder get red and irritated (inflammation).