Turtle Health and Handling

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

02 Nov 2006 11:08 AM

If you've got your tank ready... it's time to pick out a turtle! The best time to buy a turtle is in the late spring and summer months. The rest of the year is hibernation time for turtles -- so those you see in pet stores may be stressed during the fall, winter, and early spring.

How to pick out a healthy turtle:

1. Pick up the turtle -- support the body in your hands. It should feel weighty, not like an empty shell.
2. Gently tug on a back leg. The turtle should strongly pull his leg away.
3. Look at the face and limbs. There shouldn't be any swelling or abrasions.
4. Look at the eyes, nose, and mouth. They should be clear of secretions.
5. Check the shell -- it should be firm and solid all over. No slimy patches, no discolorations (besides natural markings).
6. Listen for the turtle's breathing. You shouldn't hear a clicking sound or see bubbling around the mouth and nose.

Be sure to wash your hands before and after handling your turtle. Washing your hands before handling will prevent you spreading germs from other animals to your turtle. Some turtles can carry salmonella, so wash your hands carefully in hot, soapy water after handling.

When you pick up your turtle, be sure to support the body with both hands. Turtles feel secure when they can feel something beneath their feet, so be sure to let your turtle feel your hands or fingers! Swimming in the air is cute to watch, but stressful for your turtle. Be careful not to drop your turtle -- a fall can be crippling or fatal.

Signs of illness in turtles:

• Cloudy, closed, or swollen eyes
• Swollen cheeks
• Bubbles of mucous around the nose or mouth
• Loss of appetite and listlessness
• Weight loss
• Spots on the bottom shell, upper shell, or body
• Soft spots on the shell
• Excessive shedding of skin or scales
• Buildup of food waste or dead skin cells around head and neck

Read more about turtle care!

Learn more about Aimee Amodio

Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover...

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