Dont shake your turtle, and dont leave him/her alone too high off the ground. The resulting stream of urine can sometimes startle the predator and give the turtle the opportunity it needs to run. This kind of thing can also be a deliberate defensive mea. Check out this post which is one of the most popular of all time. They can also spin around quickly or even lunge. 96 Continue this thread Some turtles are more outgoing and curious than others, making them more likely to enjoy being handled. As your turtle eats, watch it and make slow movements so your pet is aware of your presence. There is a common misconception that turtles dont urinate. 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. Salmonellosis is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. Known by the cloudy, red or brownish-red color of urine. So, how often do red-eared slider turtles pee? Urinating can also be a deliberate defensive response if a turtle feels like its in danger. What is this cloaca that allows them to breathe underwater, lay eggs, and pee? But this doesnt mean they dont need to urinate at all. The more water you drink, the less concentrated your urine is. It's likely that the way you treated him made it seem like he felt threatened. . Do make sure to read its body language. Unless it's a protected species, it's not illegal to own a turtle under a shell length of 4 inches. Simply put, turtles are dirty. Here you will also find countless interesting turtle facts about turtles, tortoises, terrapins and sea turtles. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. No, turtles do not pee in their shell. It's not recommended to come into contact with dog urine, especially for young children, the elderly, and those with respiratory issues like COPD and asthma. Nursingpets.com 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. The first several times you handle your pet turtle, you should only hold it for a few seconds. As your turtle eats, watch it and make slow movements so your pet is aware of your presence. But, if you drink less than 7 to 8 glasses, which is a prescribed limit, your pee becomes more acidic. And they have a well-developed system for getting rid of waste. Also, any manageable disease that a turtle might pick up in captivity can run rampant and unchecked if its released into the wild. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Dark brown. Its a natural way for the body to protect itself from danger. Due to the way things are arranged on the inside of the turtle this process is less exhausting than normal breathing. If the material is white, the poop may also appear white. This is generally a good thing, since they wont refuse the food you give them. And also one of the places from where they breathe. Not only will you be able to avoid getting peed on in the future, but your turtle will be much happier and can even grow to form a bond with you. Happy and healthy turtles will have normal bodily functions such as defecating on a regular basis. Usually this is a result of being handled or picked up suddenly, especially if they're not used to being held. by leaving a tip. 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. Watch how he reacts while eating and move slowly towards him so he knows you are near. So, you can follow our instructions above, and dont forget to discuss with a professional if necessary. Turtles releasing their pee on you is one of their defensive measures against the invasive move. Make sure not to shake your turtle, and dont hold it too far from the ground. If you provide this regularly, then they will learn to expect it at any given moment. Some turtles may simply curl up into a ball and remain still when frightened. Will I get sick? Turtles can be very mysterious creatures, so mysterious that even now we dont know that much about their behavior. Some owners feed their turtlesin a separate area to avoid this from happening. And a few theories backed it from the behind. Is turtle Pee harmful to humans? This will definitely encourage him/her to like you. Figure out when your pet is most active, what scares it, and when it seems the most comfortable. Hence people always come with some unique queries. While they don't really cuddle or purr, turtles do have . Other turtles seem to be terrified of being picked up and try to squirm away or even bite if theyre grabbed. Your email address will not be published. While at first, this doesnt seem like a very efficient defense, it actually is. For example, if a turtle is dehydrated, its pee will be darker in color. 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. While observing your turtle, stand near its aquarium and make slow movements. Some turtles will also hiss under stress. However, that is just a case of Hollywood artistic license in reality, turtles cannot pee in this way. Even if you opt for a screen top for your tank, its best if the cells of that screen are as wide as possible to allow ample UVB lightto reach the turtle. Do snapping turtles recognize their owners? If you can get your turtle to associate you with these essential parts of their life, theyll feel more comfortable around you. You can slowly introduce this behavior over several days. So, its better to be careful. Instead, turtles have bladder problems which cause them to relieve themselves by releasing fluids directly onto their skin. It is caused by a variety of factors. 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. Its just doing what comes naturally! If he does, then give him a few light pats. So turtles do pee, but why don't we see them do it? Have a dedicated area for cleaning reptiles items, separate from the area humans items are cleaned. You can find more details on traction wrapping in this article. Its best for your turtle to have something to rest their feet on, whether thats your hand, arm, or another solid surface you can hold. You can get turtles that come with balls, ropes, and many other fun items.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'reptileshere_com-leader-1','ezslot_13',112,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-reptileshere_com-leader-1-0'); These types of toys not only provide entertainment, but they also give your pet something to do. Green algae growing on the outside of the shell occurs commonly and can be cleaned off with periodic brushing of the shell with disinfectant cleaners. This can cause by several reasons like the food theyre eating (fish), your turtles may suffering from dehydration or infection. Usually this is a result of being handled or picked up suddenly, especially if theyre not used to being held. Hence, its best to err on the side of caution and avoid contact with turtle urine if possible. Hence, when a turtle is picked up, its body releases a hormone called adrenaline. During the mid-1970s, some young children contracted Salmonella from their pet turtles. What are the health hazards of dog urine? Whether turtle, tortoise or terrapin, a pet with four legs and a shell can make for a fine companion. In the water, shed skin appears as a whitish, "fuzzy" substance coming off the skin that is sometimes mistaken for fungus or other disease. And how do they use pee as a defense against predators? Turtles are commonly incriminated as a cause of Salmonella bacterial infection in children. Infection, swelling, or injury damages the urethra, a tube that carries pee out of the body. After all, turtles are strange creatures, so its not surprising that people are curious about their bodily functions. They won't hurt you unless you provoke them. During hibernation, they will stop eating and slow their movements; their metabolism also slows, and their immune system function becomes suppressed. (Are They Dangerous? On this site you will find articles that cover every basic thing that a turtle owner needs to know, as well as all the advanced stuff. A great way to win over a pet turtle is to avoid being overly noisy around him/her. Most pet owners can recognize when their pet is stressed or feels like its in danger, but some behaviors can take you by surprise! Not only is it smelly, but it can also be a health hazard. As they feel frightened, they proceed to pee on you as one of their defensive measures as it allows more space for them to withdraw into their shells and shut it tighter as they do. While it's hard to resist, overfeeding a turtle can lead to serious consequences. Dog urine can contain ammonia and bacteria that can irritate the sinuses, lungs, and eyes and cause respiratory issues. Make sure your turtle does not get stressed! Heck, that was probably where our first encounter with turtles was, near the waters. One of the keys to keeping your pet turtles happy is consistent feeding. 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. Yes that's right, sometimes a turtle pees on you So the question you may be wondering - Why did my turtle pee on me? With a safe zone, your turtle can easily escape any unwanted interaction. Turtles feel much safer in water than on land, and handling turtles in water helps acclimate them to touch. Some turtles with urinary tract infections or other health issues will urinate more frequently and even urinate outside their habitat. And there is the same threat of Salmonella infection from turtles to other pets as there is to humans (see the previous slide). An out of whack bladder could be causing issues. So, its best to replace your bulbs every 9 to 12 months, even if theyre still operational. So, yes! Depending on their natural habitat different turtle species are able to get more air through their cloaca than other species, and this is to be expected. With proper handling and caution, you can reduce the frequency or even totally stop this incident. In general, red eared slider turtles will urinate several times a day. 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. It could be a defense mechanism, or the turtle could be scared or feeling stressed, or they may be unable to control their muscles. Depending on factors, such as environmental temperature and the amount of water its drinking. 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. If you don't have young children, turtles can be great pets, but they require extra care to avoid passing salmonella to your kids. Try feeding your turtle by hand after some time. Required fields are marked *. Turtles love being outside, especially during springtime. Turtles are omnivores, meaning they eat a wide variety of foods, including plants, insects, crustaceans, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. I love turtles, and I write turtle-related blogs and product reviews. So the quantity of pee that gets out is very small, which makes it very hard to see. When a turtle has cystic calculi, there may be blood in its droppings. Burning sensation or pain when you pee. But no, this is never a good idea. While turtles generally dont go out of their way to do so, they may release urine as a defense mechanism if they feel threatened or are startled. You will also feel the urge to urinate more often and a change in smell can occur. Though turtles peeing onto their caregivers is odd and with concerning reasons. Do your research so that you can be sure that you are prepared to care for any animal companion you choose to call your own. Patience and regular interaction with your turtle are the best ways to help it grow more comfortable with being handled. 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. Therefore, when youre planning on handling a turtle, its best to be prepared for a potential wetting. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Read my articles and share them with your beloved ones. (Are They Dangerous?). If youre buying a turtle as a baby or hatchling, its imperative that you consider the approximate size your turtle will be when its fully grown. Forming a bond with your pet over time and gaining its trust will also help to prevent it feeling stressed when you pick it up. Turtles also exhibit affection through touching and grooming behaviors. Since most turtles that carry Salmonella are not ill, they usually require no treatment. Unless it's a protected species, it's not illegal to own a turtle under a 4 inch shell. Simply make sure that your turtle is provided with a healthy diet, clean water, a well-conditioned tank, and a warm basking spot. Stand nearby your tank while slowly moving around and this will help your pet get used to your presence. Urinating can also be a deliberate defensive response if a turtle feels like it's in danger. Taking good care of your pet is the first step to relieving any stress it may feel. You are dehydrated When you drink water, these toxins get absorbed in it and eventually exit out from your body. Also, you can always put a diaper on your turtle before picking it up! Once your turtle is comfortable eating from your hand, try lightly petting its neck and head while it eats. A red-eared slider's shell is remarkably strong, but it can be injured. 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. 3 1989 Zappa Fam. as a hatschling they might pee too, but the bladder is so tiny that you wouldn't realize they are peeing. Is this harmful to me? Luckily, its possible to make your pet turtle feel more comfortable around you. Looking for a convenient way to access your pets health records, refill prescriptions, view upcoming appointments and more? What do we learn here? this is highly unlikely however if you make a sea turtle upset or angry or make it feel endangered it most likely will try to bite or do something to youno I was bitten on the back of the head. When they eat, they will likely urinate in that area. Urine (or urine) is an end product of vital functions of the human body that secrete the kidney. Thats because turtles excrete very little nitrogen in their urine. Never enter the safe zone! Of course, water changes and cleaning should be done on a regular basis. Disclosure: Nursingpets.com is reader-supported. 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. The process is just a little different for each species. Approach the turtle slowly, and make sure it can see you. Turtles love being petted, especially around their shells. One theory is that the bacteria in turtle pee can cause warts. Fluids dilute the yellow pigments in urine. Many other animals, including humans, have this same reflex. A lack of safe drinking water is a common result of disasters, natural or otherwise. Wild turtles are commonly found on the side of the road after getting hit by cars and suffering from serious shell fractures. In fact, its almost odorless. The urinary system of a turtle consists of two kidneys, a bladder, and a cloaca. turtles do have the ability to hold their urine in their shell. If you have a UTI the tubes and your bladder get red and irritated (inflammation). While this is mostly considered a horror movie trope, its actually based on reality, since humans possess the same defense mechanism as turtles. It should be a calm hiding place where your pet doesnt have to worry about being bothered. The skin of turtles periodically (and normally) sheds off in pieces. Those are the questions that we will explore in the rest of the article. 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. Mistake 2: You Push While Peeing. Another great way to make your turtle more comfortable with you is to. The first several times you handle your pet turtle, you should only hold it for a few seconds. Turtles pee out of fear, pressure, and feeling threatened. After all, some say, there are probably other turtles there, and an abundance of food, water, and sunlight. In addition, if your turtle greets you and interacts with you, its easy to see that theyre happy. 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. -If your immune system is weak, other health problems may arise. They can also bite, so its best to avoid putting your fingers near their mouths. There is also the risk of one or both animals being injured, or possibly killed, by a falling aquarium. Can turtle pee hurt you? We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. For example, sea turtles only urinate every few months because they live in saltwater. First, make sure your turtle has a clean and spacious habitat. Turtles need a platform to stand on. If you're always looking for the bathroom because you have to pee upwards of eight times a day and it's not just uncomfortable but hurts . Its always best to wash your hands thoroughly after handling your turtle or cleaning its enclosure. In most turtle species, females will grow quite a bit larger than males, so this is also important to consider, she adds. How Can I Make My Turtle Feel Comfortable Being Handled? You may also have other symptoms, including: 1. On February 23, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the latest outbreak related to tiny turtles, which has so far caused 22 illnesses and one death. UTI is a common, irritating, and painful sensation experienced when urinating. Find out yours. Do make sure to read its body language. Start gently and gradually. Urea is a waste product produced when the body breaks down protein. Try to avoid frequent and excessive handling of your turtle. The turtle also may not be getting appropriate ultraviolet light. The easiest thing you can do is just give them regular access to water. While growing, juvenile turtles need to be fed fairly often, adult turtles can be fed a few times per week, depending on the . 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. Home Turtles Why Did My Turtle Pee on Me? Some turtles enjoy being picked up and will come to their owners when theyre called. Never pick up a turtle by the tail, as this can injure the animal. But if you must, make sure to handle them gently and wash your hands thoroughly afterward. When you pick up a turtle, its body is suddenly subjected to a different type of gravity than its used to. Coates warns that obesity and hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease) are two conditions that are related to overfeeding pet turtles. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. All animals have defense mechanisms, but some of them may seem stranger than others. https://www.quora.com/Why-do-turtles-urinate-when-you-pick-them-up-for-short-periods-of-time#:~:text=They%20urinate%20because%20they%20are,so%20far%20from%20the%20ground.&text=Because%20you%20scared%20the%20piss,they%20withdraw%20into%20their%20shells. It is transmitted in an animal's feces (pronounced FEE-seez), which is a scientific word for poop. So turtles do pee, but why dont we see them do it? Additionally, if a turtle has been eating a lot of fruits or vegetables, its pee may be a brighter color. However, land turtles urinate every day or two. However, it is important to note that not all turtles will react this way. Many turtles enjoy being petted, but first they must get used to humans being present and interacting with them. Removal of the stones generally requires surgery plus fluid therapy to prevent kidney damage. 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. Therefore, when you suspect your turtle has a health problem, take them to the vet for a check-up. They may even beg for treats, similar to a dog! Offer him some pumpkin to see if that helps. When theyre picked up, they may feel cold and release urine as a way to warm themselves up. This usually results from improper nutrition and/or dehydration. Your email address will not be published. Weve identified a few more theories through our research and observation on why turtles pee on you when picked up. But all of this shouldnt talk you out of getting a turtle, after all,any pet has the potential to transmit disease. The scutes(plates) of the shell normally flake off as the turtle grows. Turtles are also able to use their pee as a defense mechanism. By carefully taking note of your pets behaviors and body language, youll be able to make sure your turtle feels safe, comfortable, and happy! FYI, ingesting turtle pee can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even death. Since the turtle can't digest the material, it should come out with feces. While there are plenty of sources that can offer information on what youshoulddo for your turtle, here are some things that youshouldnt. When a turtle feels very threatened they will bite you and then they won't let go.
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