Turtles have been making their way into the news lately with a multi-state outbreak of human salmonella infections associated with exposure to these reptiles. At least 103 cases have been reported since May 2007, and have resulted in the treatment and hospitalization of children in 33 states. While the risks of salmonella presented by turtles is not news to me, I'll admit that I am a bit shocked that the sale of small turtles (with shells of less than four inches) has been illegal in the United States since 1975! Not only do I distinctly recall seeing tiny turtles in pet shops as a kid in the '80's, I also remember seeing them sold on the streets of NYC as recently as 2002. For your own safety, please do not purchase illegal turtles and continue to help educate others about the dangers of this outbreak which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is calling the largest of its kind ever traced to salmonella found in the little creatures.
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The Scoop: Turtles and Salmonella
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Wow. I had no idea about any of this. Salmonella from turtles? I learn something new everyday.
1I see these little guys for sale in Downtown LA and it breaks my heart. They seem like disposable pets. i can't even look when I walk by them. I had no idea that they could carry salmonella.
2I had a little turtle when I was a kid. But it was also common sense to wash our hands after we played with or cleaned any of our pets. That went for the turtle, fish, hamsters, hedgehog, birds, dogs etc. As long as you wash your hands and you're not sticking the turtle in your mouth, you should be fine. I never got anything from my turtle (btw, his name was zach..)
3turtles get such a bad rap with salmonella. all reptiles are carries not just turtles. there is no greater risk associated with smaller sized turtles its just easier for kids to handle them when they are smaller. this is such a hated debate in the herpetology world. all it takes is responsibility by the reptile owner. if small turtles and turtles in general were no longer sold the sale of other reptiles would still take place and the problem would still be around. but we have been battling this since the 70's . . . just educate yourself before you get a pet and all will be fine and happy.
4Awwwww! Itty bitty wittle turrrrtle. *kiss*
5i had my turtle since he was the size of a quarter... and now he's like size of a plate ha! I had him since I was about 5 and my parents were always sure I washed my hands after handling him..... so WASH UR HANDS
6Girl, they still sell them here in the city - Chinatown.
For $5, you can get a baby turtle in a carrying case - that cheesy little tank with a handle kind of thing.
Seriously.
7Reptiles aren't my fav...but I don't like that these do seem like disposable pets as vinnie said.
8i kind of thought this was common knowledge? my husband and i had two turtles and a pacman frog and we were aware of all the salmonella dangers that they carried and always took precautionary measures after handling and cleaning. huh.
9thats so tiny and so cute!i love turtles
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