Name: Bob
Status: other
Age: 40s
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 2000-2001
Question:
My son recently found a small snapping turtle in the
middle of a mall parking lot that he took home on put in his fish tank. The
turtle is doing fine but I have heard that turtles are dangerous to keep
due to diseases they carry. Can you please advise on this? Also, I
wonder if this turtle has to hibernate every year in order to survive. Thank
you for your help.
Replies:
Small turtles sold in stores were once notorious carriers of salmonella
bacteria, which can be serious. Sale of turtles under a certain size was
banned primarily for this reason. It is always possible for a turtle to be
carrying salmonella or other bacteria, but if the turtle is handled as
little as possible - which is best for it too - and hands are always well
washed after handling, there isn't much danger. A captive turtle will likely
get sluggish in fall and winter and eat less, reacting to decreased
daylight, but does not need to truly hibernate.
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