There are many people who want to adopt these cute little pets but want to know what the link is between Salmonella and turtles. Most are probably already aware of the Salmonella threat that lies in turtles. The same people may wonder if there is a way to find a turtle without it, or possibly rid them of it by cleaning.
Unfortunately, most turtle lovers will find themselves out of luck as turtles carry non-typhoid Salmonella (the leading cause of food infection) on their shells and skin as a part of their natural bacterial make-up. It's something that they're born with. Most cases of Salmonella caused by turtles were more often those with weakened immune systems, such as the ill or elderly, and children.
When you understand the connection between Salmonella and turtles and you still wish to adopt a turtle as a pet, the most you can do is to handle it carefully. Wash your hands after touching it, keep it out of the kitchen and away from food, do not bathe it in a kitchen or bathroom sink or a bathtub, and keep it in its cage most of the time. Also, try to keep smaller children away from it, as they may try to kiss it, or if young enough, even eat the turtle.
If you manage to follow those simple guidelines and have done your research, you can still choose to adopt one. Just remember that the risk of Salmonella and turtles will always be there. If you have a pet turtle already and feel you may have it, here are some commonly reported symptoms of Salmonella poisoning:
Nausea and Vomiting
Diarrhea (in some cases, bloody)
Stomach and Abdominal Cramping
Fever and Headache
These are signs that should begin to appear a few days after infection. Though your immune system can kill it, check in with a doctor when the symptoms emerge, especially if it worsens or feels prolonged.
On a more encouraging note, there are turtles that carry less Salmonella than others. Just be selective about which one you get. And the majority of cases reported of Salmonella and turtles were concerning young children. If you are old enough and capable, and do not have a young child living with you, you have a better chance of not getting infected. Just continue to do your best to follow the safety tips.
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Showing posts with label turtle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label turtle. Show all posts
The Russian Turtle (Tortoise) - Is This the Pet Turtle For You?
Do you have a passion for turtles but don't know which type of turtle to buy as a pet? Why not take some time to do a little online research, or ask people who can offer professional opinions regarding the most common turtle species kept as pets. This will give you an overview as to their lifestyle patterns and behavior traits. Most of all, you will not risk losing the life of your beloved pets because you bought them without first acquiring the knowledge required to properly care for them.
The Russian Turtle is one of the most common and well-loved turtle species kept as pets. This type of turtle is quite small compared to others, with its adult females reaching only eight to ten inches in the length of their shells, and the adult male growing from six to eight inches in length. Their carapace is marked with various colors of tan, olive, and yellowish green, and their plastron is covered with brown and black blotches. The rear scutes, on either side of the tail, are enlarged and may even be slightly serrated, more often in males than females.
The lifespan of this turtle species may reach up to 100 years, especially when properly cared for. Most other turtles do not live this long, whether in the wild or in captivity. The vast majority of these turtles are caught in the wild. It is therefore extremely important to bring them to the veterinarian immediately after purchase, so that they may be thoroughly checked for any parasites and diseases that they may be carrying, and which are invisible to the naked eye.
This type of turtle is also commonly called the Central Asian Tortoise, Four Toed Tortoise, Horsefield's Tortoise, or Afghan Tortoise. Russian turtles are amenable to dry habitats, however they are not suitable to be kept indoors. When preparing their outdoor housing, make sure that you mimic the surroundings they would have in the wild. They are native to Russia, North Western China, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Azerbaijan. This species loves to burrow, so you must provide them with a deeper substrate in their enclosure. Furthermore, fill their outdoor tank with abundant hay or grass, and provide a newspaper underneath for easy cleaning and maintenance. You must also provide one shallow water dish. This is not only necessary for your turtles to drink and hydrate themselves, but for bathing and soaking purposes as well. Their dormancy period is during the winter season, and they must be well nourished prior to their hibernation.
The ideal temperature for their habitat should be between 70°F to 80°F during the daytime, and 65°F to 75°F at night. The temperature for their basking area should ideally be kept around 85°F. When feeding your Russian Turtle, provide clover and grasses regularly. Give them fruits in moderation, so as to avoid digestion problems. Their diet must be largely composed of calcium and fiber, with low protein levels.
This is a beautiful and well-loved species, requiring proper care and attention, like any other living creature. However turtle keepers, especially beginners, should not only provide proper care for their turtles, but must ensure their own safety as well. Tortoises and turtles are carriers of salmonella, therefore it is highly recommended that you thoroughly wash your hands after touching or handling them. Most importantly, for your children's safety, never allow them to come too close to or make contact with your Russian turtle, or any other species of turtle you may be keeping as a pet.
Karma Williams is a pet turtle care enthusiast who has raised turtles for over 23 years, and enjoys helping others get started in this amazing hobby. You can discover more about turtles by visiting the turtle age and turtle hibernation pages of her website. Her newest eBook entitled "The Ultimate Guide to Pet Turtle Care" teaches turtle lovers everything they need to know about acquiring, caring for, and feeding pet turtles so that they stay healthy, contented, and will thrive for years and years to come!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karma_Williams
The Russian Turtle is one of the most common and well-loved turtle species kept as pets. This type of turtle is quite small compared to others, with its adult females reaching only eight to ten inches in the length of their shells, and the adult male growing from six to eight inches in length. Their carapace is marked with various colors of tan, olive, and yellowish green, and their plastron is covered with brown and black blotches. The rear scutes, on either side of the tail, are enlarged and may even be slightly serrated, more often in males than females.
The lifespan of this turtle species may reach up to 100 years, especially when properly cared for. Most other turtles do not live this long, whether in the wild or in captivity. The vast majority of these turtles are caught in the wild. It is therefore extremely important to bring them to the veterinarian immediately after purchase, so that they may be thoroughly checked for any parasites and diseases that they may be carrying, and which are invisible to the naked eye.
This type of turtle is also commonly called the Central Asian Tortoise, Four Toed Tortoise, Horsefield's Tortoise, or Afghan Tortoise. Russian turtles are amenable to dry habitats, however they are not suitable to be kept indoors. When preparing their outdoor housing, make sure that you mimic the surroundings they would have in the wild. They are native to Russia, North Western China, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Azerbaijan. This species loves to burrow, so you must provide them with a deeper substrate in their enclosure. Furthermore, fill their outdoor tank with abundant hay or grass, and provide a newspaper underneath for easy cleaning and maintenance. You must also provide one shallow water dish. This is not only necessary for your turtles to drink and hydrate themselves, but for bathing and soaking purposes as well. Their dormancy period is during the winter season, and they must be well nourished prior to their hibernation.
The ideal temperature for their habitat should be between 70°F to 80°F during the daytime, and 65°F to 75°F at night. The temperature for their basking area should ideally be kept around 85°F. When feeding your Russian Turtle, provide clover and grasses regularly. Give them fruits in moderation, so as to avoid digestion problems. Their diet must be largely composed of calcium and fiber, with low protein levels.
This is a beautiful and well-loved species, requiring proper care and attention, like any other living creature. However turtle keepers, especially beginners, should not only provide proper care for their turtles, but must ensure their own safety as well. Tortoises and turtles are carriers of salmonella, therefore it is highly recommended that you thoroughly wash your hands after touching or handling them. Most importantly, for your children's safety, never allow them to come too close to or make contact with your Russian turtle, or any other species of turtle you may be keeping as a pet.
Karma Williams is a pet turtle care enthusiast who has raised turtles for over 23 years, and enjoys helping others get started in this amazing hobby. You can discover more about turtles by visiting the turtle age and turtle hibernation pages of her website. Her newest eBook entitled "The Ultimate Guide to Pet Turtle Care" teaches turtle lovers everything they need to know about acquiring, caring for, and feeding pet turtles so that they stay healthy, contented, and will thrive for years and years to come!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karma_Williams
Turtle Aquariums - A Turtle Tank Setup Differs From a Fish Tank!
The home of your turtle is referred to as the housing or habitat, one of the vital necessities of your pet. There are two main types, namely indoor, referred to as a turtle aquarium, and outdoor housing, often a garden pond. Although the indoor enclosure has similarities with the fish aquarium, it is not the same. Novice turtle keepers should keep this information in mind.
One of the most important differences between the two is the water level containment. Fish are aquatic creatures surviving in water alone, while turtles need both land and water. For this reason, fish tanks are filled completely with water, while turtle tanks are only half filled. Different turtle species require their own precise amounts of water according to their size, and these amounts must be accurately calculated and rigorously maintained. Watch your turtle - it should have a high enough level of water to enjoy swimming, but the turtle should also be able to stand in some shallow areas of water, and have a rock or log to climb out and bask on to dry off.
When purchasing a turtle aquarium, make sure that you consider the size your turtle will grow into as an adult. Turtles normally grow three to even four times their infant length as they mature. Therefore, the most ideal aquarium size for your pets is three to four times the length or size of the biggest turtle. The tank width must be twice as large, and the height should ideally be 1.5 to two times its length. Furthermore, choose a tank which is eight to 12 inches above the highest point the turtle can reach in order to prevent it from climbing out and escaping.
When buying turtle tank accessories, make sure that the welfare and safety of your turtle is prioritized. Never consider placing any rough stones in the aquarium, for they may potentially injure your pets. Select smooth stones instead. Stones which are found on roadsides must be sterilized before placing them inside the tank. All other store-bought accessories should be cleaned every week to ten days. An easy way to stick to your cleaning schedule is to take out and disinfect the accessories when you change your tank water.
Create an elevated place to allow your turtle to bask, either by piling smooth rocks or aquarium gravel on one side of the turtle tank. Other materials to use to create or enhance this basking area are Styrofoam(TM) or floating cork, to improvise a bridge or plastic raft. The other side of the tank should be used for swimming holes.
A proper filtration system is likewise a necessity. When you make sure that the cleanliness and sanitation of the tank are maintained, you insure the health of your pet. An ideal power filter, which you can submerge in the water, is recommended. This submersible filtration system makes use of foam as the means of filtering. Rinse the foam using cool and clean water every week.
The purchasing and setting up of the turtle's aquarium are the most important tasks for beginner turtle keepers. Make sure that before you acquire a pet turtle, you are ready to give it proper housing the moment you bring it home. Remember, the best habitats for turtles are the ones that meet their daily needs by mimicking their habitat conditions in the wild. Your turtle needs space, soil, plants, food, water, and proper temperature control to ensure a long and healthy life.
Karma Williams is a pet turtle care enthusiast who has raised turtles for over 23 years, and enjoys helping others get started in this amazing hobby. You can discover more by visiting the turtle information and labeled drawing pages of her website. Her newest eBook entitled "The Ultimate Guide to Pet Turtle Care" teaches turtle lovers everything they need to know about acquiring, caring for, and feeding pet turtles so that they stay healthy, contented, and will thrive for years and years to come!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karma_Williams
One of the most important differences between the two is the water level containment. Fish are aquatic creatures surviving in water alone, while turtles need both land and water. For this reason, fish tanks are filled completely with water, while turtle tanks are only half filled. Different turtle species require their own precise amounts of water according to their size, and these amounts must be accurately calculated and rigorously maintained. Watch your turtle - it should have a high enough level of water to enjoy swimming, but the turtle should also be able to stand in some shallow areas of water, and have a rock or log to climb out and bask on to dry off.
When purchasing a turtle aquarium, make sure that you consider the size your turtle will grow into as an adult. Turtles normally grow three to even four times their infant length as they mature. Therefore, the most ideal aquarium size for your pets is three to four times the length or size of the biggest turtle. The tank width must be twice as large, and the height should ideally be 1.5 to two times its length. Furthermore, choose a tank which is eight to 12 inches above the highest point the turtle can reach in order to prevent it from climbing out and escaping.
When buying turtle tank accessories, make sure that the welfare and safety of your turtle is prioritized. Never consider placing any rough stones in the aquarium, for they may potentially injure your pets. Select smooth stones instead. Stones which are found on roadsides must be sterilized before placing them inside the tank. All other store-bought accessories should be cleaned every week to ten days. An easy way to stick to your cleaning schedule is to take out and disinfect the accessories when you change your tank water.
Create an elevated place to allow your turtle to bask, either by piling smooth rocks or aquarium gravel on one side of the turtle tank. Other materials to use to create or enhance this basking area are Styrofoam(TM) or floating cork, to improvise a bridge or plastic raft. The other side of the tank should be used for swimming holes.
A proper filtration system is likewise a necessity. When you make sure that the cleanliness and sanitation of the tank are maintained, you insure the health of your pet. An ideal power filter, which you can submerge in the water, is recommended. This submersible filtration system makes use of foam as the means of filtering. Rinse the foam using cool and clean water every week.
The purchasing and setting up of the turtle's aquarium are the most important tasks for beginner turtle keepers. Make sure that before you acquire a pet turtle, you are ready to give it proper housing the moment you bring it home. Remember, the best habitats for turtles are the ones that meet their daily needs by mimicking their habitat conditions in the wild. Your turtle needs space, soil, plants, food, water, and proper temperature control to ensure a long and healthy life.
Karma Williams is a pet turtle care enthusiast who has raised turtles for over 23 years, and enjoys helping others get started in this amazing hobby. You can discover more by visiting the turtle information and labeled drawing pages of her website. Her newest eBook entitled "The Ultimate Guide to Pet Turtle Care" teaches turtle lovers everything they need to know about acquiring, caring for, and feeding pet turtles so that they stay healthy, contented, and will thrive for years and years to come!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karma_Williams
