| "How dangerous can a terrapin bite be"? Someone, | | | | million years ago and they proudly walked on this |
| bitten by an aggressive terrapin only a couple of | | | | earth along with the Dinosaurs. |
| days back, asked me. I comforted him by saying, | | | | Unlike many other reptiles terrapins are not |
| "Don't worry; just take medicines and proper care." | | | | poisonous. But their bite may carry significant bacteria |
| Small juvenile terrapins look cute but once they grow | | | | called Salmonella. Terrapins carry these bacteria on |
| older, their appearance starts taking a prehistoric | | | | their body surface or excrete them. It can pose a |
| look, enough to scare off most of the brave hearts. | | | | serious threat and can be fatal too for the human |
| Some species of the fully grown adult terrapins | | | | beings in case proper medical assistance is not |
| become huge and can acquire terribly powerful jaws. | | | | arranged in time. |
| Terrapins are preyed by a number of predators, | | | | Children should also be trained properly about the |
| including human beings. But the massive ones like | | | | 'dos' and 'don'ts' during terrapin handling. A child below |
| alligator snapping turtles (Largest terrapin found in | | | | 5 years should not be allowed to handle a terrapin. A |
| North America) can behave more as potential | | | | power-packed snap can cause a severely painful |
| predators than a pitiable prey. | | | | injury to an adult human being. For small children, it |
| They look fierce in their spiked armor (shell) and | | | | may be as serious as amputation of digits. |
| jagged, horny, power-full beak-like jaws. The jaws | | | | Similarly, due to careless handling a terrapin may |
| are terribly powerful and according to a popular | | | | remain unhappy and ever annoyed too. Try to avoid |
| belief, one can get rid of a terrapin bite only when it | | | | that and look after it properly. |
| thunders. Their body color helps them to camouflage | | | | But in case any terrapin has tried to chomp you off, |
| with its surroundings too. | | | | don't get panic. Wash the wound under running water |
| Pet terrapins are cute, soft and timid no doubt, but | | | | thoroughly with carbolic soap and then apply an |
| they are wild by nature so you have to wait for | | | | antibiotic ointment. Report your doctor immediately |
| sometime before it gets accustomed to your touch | | | | and later if there is any discomfort. |
| and its environment. Hence 'Careful handling' is the | | | | Sumptuous food, happy environment and nice, gentle |
| first message for the terrapin owners. | | | | care will tame your terrapin in no time. |
| Remember that the first terrapins appeared 180 | | | | Hereafter, no more biting! |