Turtles can be very mysterious creatures, so mysterious that even now we dont know that much about their behavior. A healthy, gravid (with eggs) turtle may not eat, but will still be bright, active, and alert. In captivity, if the photoperiod (daytime length) is kept at 12-14 hours and the environmental conditions stay warm, then turtles typically do not hibernate. In general, red eared slider turtles will urinate several times a day. With proper handling and caution, you can reduce the frequency or even totally stop this incident. Snapping Turtles are Special Moving Snapping Turtles especially large ones is more challenging. Required fields are marked *. Approach the turtle slowly, and make sure it can see you. Another great way to make your turtle more comfortable with you is to use food to develop a relationship. Yes, they do! as a hatschling they might pee too, but the bladder is so tiny that you wouldn't realize they are peeing. Can box turtle pee hurt you? Regardless of the tissue or organ prolapsed, all can become traumatized, become dried out, or suffer from compromised blood flow. One of the most pronounced ones is its potential to cause human brain damage when it comes into your contact. When the turtle is ready to relieve itself, the urine passes through the cloaca and out of the body. Snapping Turtles can be fast and they can bite. Is this harmful to me? But if you pick them up they'll likely pee on you, so watch out. So, lets continue. Theres never any harm in asking for advice and getting a quick checkup! This is Shuvo Mahfuz, one of the main authors of NursingPets.com. This reflex is often triggered when theyre picked up, leading to an accidental release of urine. You will need to supplement ambient light with a quality UV light source placed over the tank. Though turtles peeing onto their caregivers is odd and with concerning reasons. Its also important that your turtle gets enough natural sunlight and UV rays. link to Can Hermann Tortoises Eat Watermelons? The needed frequency of this will depend on the size of your tank and whether or not you use a separate tank at mealtimes, but you should change the water before it becomes dirty or foul smelling. So asking yourself if they drink water is quite understandable, especially since they spend most of their time in the water, where it can be quite hard to see what they do. Turtles and other reptiles carry Salmonella bacteria, which can be easily transmitted to people. Patience and regular interaction with your turtle are the best ways to help it grow more comfortable with being handled. Can A Turtle Pee on You? 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. For instance, touching, picking them up or just constant tapping on the glass of the tank is enough to leave them distressed. Turtles feel much safer in water than on land, and handling turtles in water helps acclimate them to touch. Watch how he reacts while eating and move slowly towards him so he knows you are near. However, someone who owns a turtle and can no longer care for it might think that theres a perfect spot in a nearby pond or forest that would be just the place for a turtle. Check out this post which is one of the most popular of all time. We dont know many things about them yet or arent sure. True or False: It's Safe to Drink Your Urine. Although shell fractures can be serious, the shell is bone and often can be repaired. Yes, turtles can urinate on us but not because they want to get rid of their waste products. Pet turtles may accidentally be dropped or may fall off tables if they escape from their aquariums or are left unattended. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Before purchasing a turtle, check the laws in your municipality regarding legal ownership of pet turtles. In the water, shed skin appears as a whitish, "fuzzy" substance coming off the skin that is sometimes mistaken for fungus or other disease. Will turtle pee hurt you? Can turtle pee hurt you? How Can I Make My Turtle Feel Comfortable Being Handled? Therefore, when you're planning on handling a turtle, it's best to be prepared for a potential wetting. Your pet turtle should feel safe imagine how terrifying it would be to be held high above ground while struggling to get back down to safety. For example, red eared sliders tend to do best with a water temperatures of around 80 degrees Fahrenheit.. ), link to Can Hermann Tortoises Eat Tomatoes? Hence people always come with some unique queries. Therefore, when youre planning on handling a turtle, its best to be prepared for a potential wetting. I love turtles, and I write turtle-related blogs and product reviews. Just as important, any vet can test an animal for Salmonella. 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. Turtles have a powerful sense of hearing; if you make a lot of noise in or near their tank, it might stress them out. For example, sea turtles only urinate every few months because they live in saltwater. While at first, this doesnt seem like a very efficient defense, it actually is. Turtles that feel affection towards their owners will often follow them around. Sea turtles use it all the time since some of them spend their entire life without leaving the water. 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. Disclosure: Nursingpets.com is reader-supported. Set up your myVCA account today. Turtle pee can harm humans in several ways: -Turtle pee contains bacteria that may cause infections in mucous membranes or open wounds. Salmonella is a bacteria that lives on their outer skin and shell surfaces. 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. Hence, it hurts when it is released. While a cat is probably more likely to have the skill to get up and into your turtles enclosure, never underestimate the brute force of an eager and leaping dog, no matter the size. Once your turtle is comfortable eating from your hand, try lightly petting its neck and head while it eats. Read my articles and share them with your beloved ones. 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. However, this does not mean you let turtles pee on you while handling them. If your turtle pees on you, theyre probably feeling scared or threatened. So, now you know why do turtles pee when picked up. 10. Normal urine has a mild transparent . If your turtle resists, stop petting it immediately. Most importantly, wash your hands thoroughly with disinfectant soap every time after handling, feeding your reptile, or cleaning its cage items to help minimize risks of contracting salmonellosis. Turtles require both Ultraviolet A and B light to survive. So before touching their shells, check to see whether your turtle likes being handled. And the pee looks like a clear, yellow liquid and is often compared to lemonade or urine. 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 consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Frank Zappa You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. So, its important that your turtles environment be kept clean. Find out yours. Make sure not to shake your turtle, and dont hold it too far from the ground. Also, it can cause other health issues if you have a weak immune system. Contrary to popular belief, turtles can become attached to their owners. While it's hard to resist, overfeeding a turtle can lead to serious consequences. He peed all over me. The truth is that, yes, box turtles do pee. And they have a well-developed system for getting rid of waste. Offer him some pumpkin to see if that helps. Happy and healthy turtles will have normal bodily functions such as defecating on a regular basis. Dystocia, or egg binding, occurs when the female turtle is unable to pass her eggs. Since the turtle can't digest the material, it should come out with feces. Give them the proper space and time to naturalize themselves so they wont feel threatened by you. When they eat, they will likely urinate in that area. Approach the turtle slowly, and make sure it can see you. They won't hurt you unless you provoke them. Men and women of any age can experience dysuria, but it's more common in women. If youve ever held a turtle in your hand and felt a warm, damp spot, theres a good chance that your turtle has peed on you. And it can also have toxins that can be dangerous to the brain if it comes to contact. The answer is yes! Pick them up with both hands with as little pressure as you can, keep in mind that their shells are living tissue, therefore they are sensitive. The bite does not cause any real damage, although it can hurt kids with tiny fingers. So, between the natural competition for food, the uncertainty of the weather, and disease, your pet will have little chance of survival, not to mention the damage it might cause to native animals. Urinating can also be a deliberate defensive response if a turtle feels like its in danger. And if a snapping turtle bites you this way, the danger is even bigger due to their sharp beaks that can cut through the meat the more they maintain the bite. Not only is it smelly, but it can also be a health hazard. Dont make it frequent and dont make it excessive. In fact, turtles pee when theyre picked up because theyre excited or could be scared too! So, you can follow our instructions above, and dont forget to discuss with a professional if necessary. Green. 5: Lower Exercise Intensity to Prevent Turtling. Never enter the safe zone! 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). But this doesnt mean they dont need to urinate at all. Wiki User. Its best to let the turtle approach you first rather than picking it up without warning. Those are the questions that we will explore in the rest of the article. 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. If you come across a turtle on the ground or have one yourself, you may be tempted to pick it up. So, if you see a turtle peeing when its scared, dont be alarmed. Yes, sea turtles can feel it when you touch their shell. While there are plenty of sources that can offer information on what youshoulddo for your turtle, here are some things that youshouldnt. A red-eared slider's shell is remarkably strong, but it can be injured. Keep working on hand-feeding, and with time and patience, you can try petting your turtle again. 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. Therefore, its not hazardous if it comes in contact with your skin. Its likely that the way you handled your pet made it feel like it was in danger. I've been a turtle and tortoise owner for 10 years, during which I gained a lot of experience and information, and now I want to share them with everybody that is curious or it's looking for help. Turtles pee can carry high levels of urea. Do snapping turtles recognize their owners? Nitrogen is what gives urine its characteristic odor. If your turtle doesnt show any interest. And do turtles pee is one of them. Also, you can always put a diaper on your turtle before picking it up! (Are They Dangerous? And, there are no turtle species that dont pee. Your email address will not be published. I hope this article answered all your questions about turtle pee. It depends on how much water you drink. It can be done by placing their food in the area where you want them to urinate. The most important things to do are to provide a healthy diet, a comfortable environment, and regular exercise. Even if using the cloaca is less exhausting for the turtle, in normal circumstances a turtle wont be able to survive for long periods of time using only the cloaca. But this isnt verified or proven information. Here you will also find countless interesting turtle facts about turtles, tortoises, terrapins and sea turtles. For one, the frequency of urination can vary depending on the time of year. Perhaps most importantly, just because a UV bulb is lit doesnt necessarily mean that its outputting sufficient UV rays. Build a consistent routine by feeding your turtle at the same time everyday. Check the shell closely for any signs of abnormalities suggesting disease. Its best to wait until your turtle chooses to enter an open space where it can eat and socialize. As a result, the turtles body dumps all of its stored urine from the bladder. The answer to this question is a bit complicated. Do not grab the sides of the shell of a Snapping Turtle as the head may whip around and bite you. Properly clean and disinfect the turtles tank every time it is soiled. You may also have other symptoms, including: 1. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. So, why is there such a big difference in how turtles react to being picked up? While turtles may not relieve themselves when picked up by humans, they are capable of doing so when they feel threatened or stressed. For instance, baby turtles or hatchlings are more sensitive to touch as they are not used to that. 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. When a turtle has cystic calculi, there may be blood in its droppings. Luckily, the turtle's cloaca -- the rear end hole (not an anus) that allows the reptile to excrete, urinate, and lay its eggs -- features two sacs, or bursa, which more efficiently absorb oxygen. Turtles releasing their pee on you is one of their defensive measures against the invasive move. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Sometime they can do things which may surprise us. read more On ReptileJam.com we have a deep passion and interest for all kinds of reptiles. Taking good care of your pet is the first step to relieving any stress it may feel. Turtles are interesting creatures. If you are not sure whether the shell is normal, check with your veterinarian. On this site we share what we know and learn about reptiles to help you give your reptile the love and care it deserves.