According to Coates, many species of turtles that come from warmer latitudes will also need their water to be heated. They can also spin around quickly or even lunge. These include rubbing their heads and necks against their owner, licking faces, and even biting. Over time, they can learn their owners voice, pick up their scent and even recognize them by sight. Younger turtles feel much more secure if they have a solid surface to place their feet on. Required fields are marked *. 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. In susceptible people and animals, salmonellosis can cause severe gastrointestinal disease, with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramping, fever, or septicemia (blood infection). The urinary system of a turtle consists of two kidneys, a bladder, and a cloaca. Hence, if you come into contact with turtle pee, be sure to wash the area with soap and water as soon as possible. Hissing expels air while urinating and defecating allow more space for your turtle to withdraw into its shell. Turtle urine can cause brain damage in humans. Therefore, its worth noting that box turtles arent the only turtles that pee. A good opportunity to handle your pet turtle is when its getting some sun. Affiliate of Mars Inc. 2023 | Copyright VCA Animal Hospitals all rights reserved. Check out this post which is one of the most popular of all time. So, its better to be careful. 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. Also, any manageable disease that a turtle might pick up in captivity can run rampant and unchecked if its released into the wild. Sea turtle shells consist of bones, which are . The same goes for adult turtles, peeing on you is a defensive move. But this doesnt mean they dont need to urinate at all. If you hold them less, they will be less likely to feel the need to urinate. Do turtles pee? Urgent need to pee. 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. And it can also have toxins that can be dangerous to the brain if it comes to contact. A bubbler can help to aerate the water and improve water quality. The most common reason for your turtle to pee on you is that they're experiencing stress. Yes, turtles pee through their cloaca, which is an orifice that is a combination of an anus, urethra, and gills. 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 . The resulting stream of urine can sometimes startle the predator and give the turtle the opportunity it needs to run. If your turtle is energetic and active, thats a great sign that its comfortable in its environment. 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. Family pets, such as dogs and cats, may chew on a helpless turtle, causing severe damage to the shell (or legs and head). I love turtles, and I write turtle-related blogs and product reviews. Some reptiles can harbor the bacteria as a carrier but not be actively sick with an infection. Coates says that UV-B light is especially important for turtles because it plays a major role in the production of Vitamin D3, which is needed for the absorption and metabolism of calcium. A lack of Vitamin D can cause stunted shell growth, bone disorders, and generally shorten the life of your turtle. Turtles feel much safer in water than on land, and handling turtles in water helps acclimate them to touch. If given the opportunity, most wild red-eared sliders will attempt to hibernate, depending on the subspecies and its native locale. Its best to wait until your turtle chooses to enter an open space where it can eat and socialize. As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Can turtle pee hurt you? Turtles are aware of their owners. Its thought that male turtles might also use their cloaca to expel sperm during mating, but this has not been proven. But this can also be dangerous We are a passionate group of writers and researchers who write about pet turtles and tortoises. Other signs you might have an STI include: Itchiness. To get your turtle to feel more at ease when you pet it, set it on the ground first. Turtles process urination as they consume liquid. And, suppose you do decide to pick up a turtle, make sure you support its body from underneath. While observing your turtle, stand near its aquarium and make slow movements. And there is the same threat of Salmonella infection from turtles to other pets as there is to humans (see the previous slide). If you want your pet to feel comfortable while playing, then you should consider getting him or her some toys. Make sure not to shake your turtle, and dont hold it too far from the ground. https://www.petplace.com/article/reptiles/general/how-turtles-and-tortoises-behave/, https://peteducate.com/do-turtles-get-attached-to-their-owners/. Although turtles are certainly not the only reptiles that can carry Salmonella, most turtles carry the infection asymptomatically, in that they do not show signs of illness. They feel the need to defend themselves thus peeing on you would make you put them back down on the ground where they feel much more secure. So, lets continue. Keep working on hand-feeding, and with time and patience, you can try petting your turtle again. For example, sea turtles only urinate every few months because they live in saltwater. 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. 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. So turtles do pee, but why dont we see them do it? The cloaca works in a similar way to the lungs, when the turtle is inside the water the cloaca will act like a pump that will suck water inside and after it gathers all the oxygen from it, it will expel the water out, and then it will start over. Wiki User. We dont know many things about them yet or arent sure. Many turtles know the sight and sounds of their owners, even though most people don't. The first several times you handle your pet turtle, you should only hold it for a few seconds. When turtles need more room inside their bladders, the best way to help them is by giving them something else to chew on. Mistake 2: You Push While Peeing. First, keep your turtles aquarium warm. Turtles are interesting creatures. 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. I love turtles, and I write turtle-related blogs and product reviews. 3 1989 Zappa Fam. 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. as a hatschling they might pee too, but the bladder is so tiny that you wouldn't realize they are peeing. But no, this is never a good idea. A friendly turtle will also greet its owner with open eyes. Although shell fractures can be serious, the shell is bone and often can be repaired. They tend to pee more often on you due to wrong and frequent handling. And well talk about those and a few more related topics in this blog. While at first, this doesnt seem like a very efficient defense, it actually is. Turtles and water are of course inseparable. Nitrogen is what gives urine its characteristic odor. The problem may be due to an inappropriate diet that may be too high in protein and fat or may be imbalanced in vitamins and minerals. The turtle also may not be getting appropriate ultraviolet light. Happy turtles will eat their meals enthusiastically and appear excited when presented with food. A great way to win over a pet turtle is to avoid being overly noisy around him/her. " Turtle urine causes brain damage in humans when it comes in contact with your skin ." Do turtles poop? 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. Both require the experience of a knowledgeable reptile veterinarian. Urinating can also be a deliberate defensive response if a turtle feels like it's in danger. It should be a calm hiding place where your pet doesnt have to worry about being bothered. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. They will drown in a tank of water. A lack of safe drinking water is a common result of disasters, natural or otherwise. Your email address will not be published. They love the water. 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. Yes, affectively from research from scientists, according to men only, earthworm urine can immensely be affective and sting to . Men and women of any age can experience dysuria, but it's more common in women. Simply make sure that your turtle is provided with a healthy diet, clean water, a well-conditioned tank, and a warm basking spot. Your veterinarian will perform a physical examination, palpate the turtles abdomen, and take radiographs (X-rays) to diagnose the problem. Check the shell closely for any signs of abnormalities suggesting disease. While this is normal behavior among turtles in nature, humans often misinterpret these actions as aggressive acts. UVB rays cannot penetrate glass, however, so glass tank tops will negate the benefits of any sort of overhead lighting. Nothing bad will happen if you touch turtle pee, just make sure that you wash or disinfect your hands before you touch anything else. Laurie Hess, DVM; Rick Axelson, DVM, Contributors: Laurie Hess, DVM; Rick Axelson, DVM. And the most renowned assumption is that its a type of defense mechanism for turtles. This will cause a lot more damage than a simple snap. While drinking a little bit of your own urine probably won't hurt you, it's definitely not as safe as a . Bites from a young turtle will have no major effect on your skin and will certainly not hurt like bites from an adult turtle. This can cause by several reasons like the food theyre eating (fish), your turtles may suffering from dehydration or infection. The answer is yes; turtles can pee. Turtle urine can contain harmful bacteria that can cause infections. 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. And there are several questions regarding the turtles pee. Hermann tortoises are known for eating everything that you put in front of them. So, even a very small turtle that maxes out ata few inches is going to require a pretty sizable aquarium. read more On ReptileJam.com we have a deep passion and interest for all kinds of reptiles. Turtles love being petted, especially around their shells. Turtles dont really pee, they release uric acid as they defecate. While it may be unpleasant to deal with, theres no need to be concerned if your turtle urinates when picked up. When you pick up a turtle, its body is suddenly subjected to a different type of gravity than its used to. Read our advice on understanding. Log in 24/7 to access your pets health care information. They can also bite, so its best to avoid putting your fingers near their mouths. Turtles are also able to use their pee as a defense mechanism. Here are the links to our most recent posts that may interest you: As we mentioned before, there are a number of theories regarding why turtles pee when picked up. Splashing around in the water and basking regularly are some other signs of a happy turtle. Young and newly adopted turtles, especially, can be very sensitive and tend to pee more often. Heck, that was probably where our first encounter with turtles was, near the waters. Is turtle Pee harmful to humans? Therefore, its not hazardous if it comes in contact with your skin. In fact, all turtles pee. Can earthworm pee hurt you. Will turtle pee hurt you? Any prolapsed tissue represents a potentially life-threatening problem that should be seen by a veterinarian immediately. Two techniques are available for performing surgery on organs contained within the shell. One theory is that the bacteria in turtle pee can cause warts. They often follow their owners around the house with their heads down, looking at them intently.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'reptileshere_com-banner-1','ezslot_9',110,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-reptileshere_com-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'reptileshere_com-banner-1','ezslot_10',110,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-reptileshere_com-banner-1-0_1'); .banner-1-multi-110{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:50px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. Before purchasing a turtle, check the laws in your municipality regarding legal ownership of pet turtles. Never pick them up by the tail, or try to have a grip on them, theyll quickly feel threatened and end up peeing on you. Weve identified a few more theories through our research and observation on why turtles pee on you when picked up. Coates warns that obesity and hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease) are two conditions that are related to overfeeding pet turtles. Removal of the stones generally requires surgery plus fluid therapy to prevent kidney damage. Turtles often move toward humans because they feel safe around us. Throw another turtle into the mix and you are looking at an even bigger tank. Turtles urinate when theyre stressed; this is a natural reaction to feeling threatened. In fact, all turtles urinate (or have a similar process), including red-eared slider turtles.