Marshall
Turtle Keeper + CPL(H)
It has been a while since I shared the Turtle Advice/Tips so when I got an email asking a particularly common yet important question I figured why not share the answer here in case any of you may have the same question.
The question was in regard to handling the turtles and their environment specifically asking should/can they be handled and if yes then how to go about it.
The answer is yes you can handle semi-aquatic turtles and in fact doing so whenever cleaning or doing maintenance on their tank not only keeps them safe but they will become tame much faster once they realize that you are not going to harm them even when you have complete control of them (holding them). The best way to go about is preferably pick them up while they are either floating with head above the water or while they are on their floating dock/basking area etc. The reason being that if they do get spooked it is best that they are not under water since although they do live in the water they still breathe surface air and can in fact drown if they inhale water. Another trick I use at the rescue is I always take some rubbing alcohol (Isopropyl or ethyl rubbing alcohol 70% +) and rub it all over my hands and this serves two purposes. One it disinfects and cleans any contamination from your hand but more importantly and the reason I do it is that it will give a noticeable burning/stinging sensation if there is even a tiny cut or scrape on your hand which would mean it is not safe to handle the turtles due to a risk of infection. So basically the tip is yes you can and occasionally should handle your turtles and following the simple steps above will ensure you do so properly and without any risks to the turtles or yourself. I don't recommend children under 8 handle them at all and even children over 8 should still be closely supervised by an adult.
PS: I don't recommend hand sanitizer since although they have alcohol in them it is not as concentrated and they have other ingredients like moisturizers and perfumes that are not good for the turtles. Just use pure rubbing alcohol at 70% at least or I personally use 91% and it will work much faster than sanitizer anyway and most importantly it is a easy way to discover small cuts that could become infected if contaminated by the turtles and their environment.
The question was in regard to handling the turtles and their environment specifically asking should/can they be handled and if yes then how to go about it.
The answer is yes you can handle semi-aquatic turtles and in fact doing so whenever cleaning or doing maintenance on their tank not only keeps them safe but they will become tame much faster once they realize that you are not going to harm them even when you have complete control of them (holding them). The best way to go about is preferably pick them up while they are either floating with head above the water or while they are on their floating dock/basking area etc. The reason being that if they do get spooked it is best that they are not under water since although they do live in the water they still breathe surface air and can in fact drown if they inhale water. Another trick I use at the rescue is I always take some rubbing alcohol (Isopropyl or ethyl rubbing alcohol 70% +) and rub it all over my hands and this serves two purposes. One it disinfects and cleans any contamination from your hand but more importantly and the reason I do it is that it will give a noticeable burning/stinging sensation if there is even a tiny cut or scrape on your hand which would mean it is not safe to handle the turtles due to a risk of infection. So basically the tip is yes you can and occasionally should handle your turtles and following the simple steps above will ensure you do so properly and without any risks to the turtles or yourself. I don't recommend children under 8 handle them at all and even children over 8 should still be closely supervised by an adult.
PS: I don't recommend hand sanitizer since although they have alcohol in them it is not as concentrated and they have other ingredients like moisturizers and perfumes that are not good for the turtles. Just use pure rubbing alcohol at 70% at least or I personally use 91% and it will work much faster than sanitizer anyway and most importantly it is a easy way to discover small cuts that could become infected if contaminated by the turtles and their environment.
constantly so he is basically a terrarium-terrorist lol and that is why I am so gung-ho with this issue.