how risky is it to have pet turtles and get salmonella?

pet turtles
HelloKittyGrl asked:

Thx, yea I knew it wasn’t against the law lol, I had baby ones once but didn’t get very far with them cause they got stuck under water on something and died.

I’m getting new ones from my cousin who doesn’t want them anymore



Comments (8)    Posted in Reptiles    

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8 Responses to 'how risky is it to have pet turtles and get salmonella?'

  1. Haziq R - August 27th, 2010 at 10:10 pm

    you cant.you cannot have a pet turtle.its against the law. so you have the minimal risk

  2. RaY-RaY! 6.16.09 <33<33! - August 29th, 2010 at 10:15 am

    don’t listen to the other dude its not agents the law to own a turtle every pet store sells them especially the red eared slider just wash your hands after feeding and touching them and ull be fine its not such a big deal good luck =)

  3. reptilesaver - September 1st, 2010 at 1:44 pm

    It is not a risk if you practice good Hygiene. Wash your hands anytime you do something with your turtle and don’t wash any thing the turtle has touched where you prepare food.

  4. Jessie Wolf - September 4th, 2010 at 11:33 am

    nah you won’t

  5. Kithic - September 6th, 2010 at 2:25 am

    Its illegal in most states to sell turtles under six inches, but once you own one, you’re not doing anything wrong.
    And as long as you wash your hands (and any other surfaces the turtle has touched) with hot water and soap you should be fine.

  6. SunSchein89 - September 7th, 2010 at 6:28 am

    Yeah even without washing your hands and such the risk is about the same as when you eat food, but it can’t hurt to be safe and wash your hands anyway.

  7. Lee - September 9th, 2010 at 4:55 pm

    I’ve had my turtles since I was 8 years old, I’m now 25. I have never once had salmonella. Just make sure you practice good hygiene. If you pick them up, wash your hands, if you touch something that has come in contact of them, wash your hands, if you just fed them, wash your hands.

  8. oikos - September 12th, 2010 at 6:40 pm

    Assume that any turtle you have has salmonella. Wash your hands thoroughly (not the usual “lick and a promise”) before and after you touch them or anything in their tank., much the same as you wash after using the toilet. Essentially, the tank is the turtles’ toilet, you know.

    As far as avoiding the “stuck under water” bit, place no rocks in the water. Use a slab of wood wedged in the tank at a shallow angle to make a hideaway, ramp, and basking site in one.


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