| With all the great turtle information available today, | | | | make sure that you avoid harboring unwanted |
| the proper care and handling of your new pet should | | | | bacteria, and that your pet is free from being |
| be simple to master. Although the turtle may seem | | | | stressed out. |
| like a shy and docile creature that hides inside its | | | | When picking up your turtle, grasp it securely by |
| shell, it can, if provoked, use its beak and claws to | | | | placing your hands around both sides of its shell. Make |
| defend itself. You should always keep two issues in | | | | sure that your fingers and hands are kept away |
| mind when holding your pet: the safety of the | | | | from its head. It is important to keep the turtle's |
| person who is handling the animal, and the safety and | | | | head aimed away from you, so that the turtle |
| well-being of the animal that is being handled. | | | | cannot bite or latch on to your body. |
| First of all, if you have children under the age of five | | | | Be very cautious whenever you handle your turtle. |
| in your household, it is never advisable to keep | | | | Never place your face, hands, or fingers near or in |
| turtles as pets. This also applies if there are pregnant | | | | front of the turtle's face or head, because it may |
| women in the home, or people who have | | | | reach around and bite, as some turtles have long |
| compromised or weak immune systems. | | | | necks. Always be quiet and calm whenever you are |
| Turtles are known as notorious carriers of the | | | | holding or approaching your turtle. Turtles have rather |
| Salmonella bacteria. Salmonella causes an illness called | | | | sharp claws that can scratch and hurt you if they are |
| Salmonellosis, which infects the human intestinal tract, | | | | startled, stressed out, fearful, or uncomfortable. |
| causing abdominal cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, and at | | | | Some other useful turtle information: |
| times, fever. | | | | You should always wash your hands thoroughly |
| If you are a pet owner with a close relationship to | | | | with soap and hot water after you have handled the |
| your pet, the desire to hold, cuddle, or carry your | | | | animal, its cage, or feeding dishes. |
| pet around is certainly normal. It is very important to | | | | Never clean turtle tanks, dishes, or the turtle |
| bear in mind that although turtles may appear to be | | | | itself in the kitchen sink . |
| calm animals, they do not appreciate being handled | | | | Never allow your turtle to roam unmonitored |
| too much. If they become agitated or fearful, they | | | | around the house, because it may leave traces of |
| will try to defend themselves by using their teeth | | | | Salmonella on the carpets, floor, and other surfaces |
| and claws to bite and scratch. In fact, the majority | | | | with which it comes in contact. |
| of turtle information available states that they always | | | | This beneficial turtle information should help you |
| prefer to be left alone rather than being carried | | | | establish a close relationship with your pet, without |
| around. | | | | compromising either its welfare or your health and |
| Even if you have already earned the trust of your | | | | safety as its owner. |
| pet, there are still precautions you must take to | | | | |