If your turtle pees on you, theyre probably feeling scared or threatened. During the mid-1970s, some young children contracted Salmonella from their pet turtles. Like many other animals, turtles are opportunistic feeders and will often continue to eat as long as food is available. The most important health rule for turtle keepers is to wash your hands before and after handling your turtle or its habitat. While sunlight will provide all the ultraviolet light a turtle needs in the wild, its not enough to simply have your enclosure near a sunlit window. Lets get into more detail in this article, Before we get into ways on how to stop your turtle peeing on you. While the natural instincts of turtles would probably kick in, a turtle that has been captive most or all of its life will not have the keen hunting skills of a wild one. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Any prolapsed tissue may be viewed by other animals in the same tank as something to eat, and they will readily bite at the exposed tissue. An out of whack bladder could be causing issues. However, it is important to note that not all turtles will react this way. A turtle bite can be dangerous depending on the species of turtle and its age. Turtles often move toward humans because they feel safe around us. Mistake 2: You Push While Peeing. But while many turtles appreciate gentle strokes, others wont tolerate any contact at all. After all, some say, there are probably other turtles there, and an abundance of food, water, and sunlight. Young and newly adopted turtles, especially, can be very sensitive and tend to pee more often. The most common reason for your turtle to pee on you is that theyre experiencing stress. Can turtle pee hurt you? He peed all over me. Therefore, its not hazardous if it comes in contact with your skin. Any animal lover would recoil at the prospect of leaving a cat or dog to its own devices in the wild. Dysuria (Painful Urination): Treatment, Causes & Symptoms 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. Pain, pressure, or aching in your lower abdomen (pelvic area) Cloudy or dark pee. You have diabetes. Is a softshell turtle aggressive? - Daily Justnow There are a few main aspects of survival that are essential to turtles, and if you can take care of these needs, youll be well on your way to creating a close relationship with your turtle. A good idea for reducing stress related to handling is to create a safe zone in your turtles aquarium where it can hide and find comfort. While controversial, most veterinarians feel it is best to try to prevent captive red-eared sliders from hibernating, since hibernation is very stressful on the body, and sub-clinical illnesses can manifest themselves during the immunocompromise that accompanies hibernation. So, its best to replace your bulbs every 9 to 12 months, even if theyre still operational. If you want your pet to feel comfortable while playing, then you should consider getting him or her some toys. Simply make sure that your turtle is provided with a healthy diet, clean water, a well-conditioned tank, and a warm basking spot. When a turtle urinates, the urine is stored in a sac near the cloaca. Can earthworm pee hurt you? - Answers So, how do turtles pee? Hence, its best to err on the side of caution and avoid contact with turtle urine if possible. Also, a turtle may urinate more often when it is hot outside and sweating a lot. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Most commonly, it is associated with poor husbandry, including improper environmental temperature or light cycles, inadequate nest sites, and/or improper diet (malnutrition). But all of this shouldnt talk you out of getting a turtle, after all,any pet has the potential to transmit disease. Some turtles will also hiss under stress. While they are generally discerning, it is possible your turtle will eat something they shouldn't. These could include small pieces of plastic, fabric or any other material. 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. Some animals make noises or bite, while others may run and hide. Its just water they store in their cloaca and when you scare them, they release those fluids onto you. 10. 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. Its true! Yes, turtles can urinate on us but not because they want to get rid of their waste products. Turtles pee out of fear, pressure, and feeling threatened. Do Or Can Turtles Pee? - Nursing Pets Any of these foods can be dusted with calcium powder to provide an extra boost of this vital nutrient. 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. Infection, swelling, or injury damages the urethra, a tube that carries pee out of the body. Do turtles pee? First, make sure your turtle has a clean and spacious habitat. Although shell fractures can be serious, the shell is bone and often can be repaired. Before I wrap up, I want to touch on how you can get your pet turtle to like you. If your turtle doesnt show any interest. A bubbler can help to aerate the water and improve water quality. And after reading this blog, you know that turtles have a well-developed urinary system. They excrete waste in the form of urine, just like any other animal or turtle. Do make sure to read its body language. If your turtle is energetic and active, thats a great sign that its comfortable in its environment. The same goes for adult turtles, peeing on you is a defensive move. 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. However, a few things can affect the appearance of turtle pee. The pee they released on you isnt actually urine. ReptileJam.com also participates in other affiliate programs and may be compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Turtles express their love through eye contact rather than physical touch. Once your turtle is comfortable eating from your hand, try lightly petting its neck and head while it eats. 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. Can A Turtle Pee on You? Try feeding your turtle by hand after some time. Its up to you, but remember to handle it with care. Just like the excrement of other animals, it contains the body's metabolic waste products which can be harmful for humans especially children and pregnant women. Also, when turtles feel stressed or threatened, they could do the same. You can slowly introduce this behavior over several days. 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. Would you let a turtle pee on you? - Quora Run the water Turn on the faucet in. Its a white, crystalline substance that is relatively insoluble in water. Today I saw a painted turtle in the road and moved him. Cloudy white. It is caused by a variety of factors. 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. They tend to pee more often on you due to wrong and frequent handling. Due to the way things are arranged on the inside of the turtle this process is less exhausting than normal breathing. In the spring and summer, when theyre eating more and their metabolism is higher, box turtles produce more urine than in the other seasons. Unless it is a protected species, it is not illegal to own or buy a turtle under a shell length of 4 inches. 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. You shouldn't force yourself to pee if you don't have to for medical reasons. While growing, juvenile turtles need to be fed fairly often, adult turtles can be fed a few times per week, depending on the species. On the flip side, many species observe a hibernation period and may refuse food for long periods of time. They will lay out under the. But then why do some people claim their turtles pee smell bad? Happy turtles will eat their meals enthusiastically and appear excited when presented with food. Turtles releasing their pee on you is one of their defensive measures against the invasive move. While your local pet store is unlikely to accept your turtle, they might be able to steer you in the right direction or allow you to post on their community boards. Sea turtle shells consist of bones, which are . How to (Safely) Move a Turtle across the Road There are a few reasons why your turtle might be peeing on you. So, if you see a turtle peeing when its scared, dont be alarmed. Many turtle owners report that their turtle comes up to the surface of the water to greet them when they enter the room. Answer (1 of 8): Stress can cause any animal to urinate or defecate or both. Make sure you put your pet away after he or she plays with these toys because they can chew through anything. Wiki User. This kind of thing can also be a deliberate defensive mea. It could be a defense mechanism, or the turtle could be scared or feeling stressed, or they may be unable to control their muscles. Watch how he reacts while eating and move slowly towards him so he knows you are near. Your email address will not be published. Thats because turtles excrete very little nitrogen in their urine. The most important things to do are to provide a healthy diet, a comfortable environment, and regular exercise. This is not a problem as long as the penis can go back in. Also, its a good idea to invest in a vacuum, or even just a simple siphon device made for tanks, which offers a simple way to make a partial water change each time you use itwhich should be at least once a week. If they find themselves far from the ground, they would just pee on you. It could be that your turtle is marking its territory, or it could be a sign of illness. Quick Answer: Urine Burns When Dehydrated - BikeHike So before touching their shells, check to see whether your turtle likes being handled. A good opportunity to handle your pet turtle is when its getting some sun. Im Devin Nunn, an average joe that just so happens to have a deep love and passion for everything to do with reptiles. Also, you can try to handle your turtle less. One theory proposes that turtles are ectotherms, meaning they rely on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature. Never enter the safe zone! Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. 7 yr. ago Most turtles that cross the roads in Texas are red ears. And, suppose you do decide to pick up a turtle, make sure you support its body from underneath. Read my articles and share them with your beloved ones. 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. The resulting stream of urine can sometimes startle the predator and give the turtle the opportunity it needs to run. 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. 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. My goal is to share what I have learned over the years through my experience and research about animals of all kinds. 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. 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. Can box turtle pee hurt you? To get your turtle to feel more at ease when you pet it, set it on the ground first. Can turtle pee hurt you? Sometime they can do things which may surprise us. When it comes to filtration, it is recommended that you opt for a turtle tank filter system that is strong enough to filter a tank twice the size of yours. Regardless of the tissue or organ prolapsed, all can become traumatized, become dried out, or suffer from compromised blood flow.