bacteria

[varanio]

I always try to remember to wash my hands after handling my herps. Particularly with my water turtles. I don't want to take the chance of possibly spreading something to my other reptiles. It's just a good practice to follow.

The chances of getting salmonella from a CB beardie are slim to none, w/c animals are a different story specially those coming from other countries. I was my hands after I pick up their poop and after I feed them, I dont really like to handle my monitors that much. I have my dog for petting and things of that nature.

 

[Vicious_Fish]

I don't really handle my reptiles very often either, but I do a 25-50% water change on my turtle tub almost everyday and I ALWAYS wash my hands after doing that.

 

[krzr3000]

Washing hands after touching animals should come pretty natural in my opinion. Fish tank water too...

 

[mick11]

Hand sanitizer here as well, but I also do it before and after I handle the snakes. I made the mistake of cleaning my daughters hamster cage and then went to clean the snakes cage. It moved like a mouse, smelled like a mouse, it must be a mouse, nope it was my finger in the snakes mouth.

 

[Gr8KarmaSF]

All reptiles are supposedly carriers of Salmonella Bacteria.

Aquatic turtles are more prone to carry this at a young age for some reason. This is why its illegal to buy a RES below 4inches unless for educational or research purposes. I know that this law came around back in the day when all these children would put small turtles in their mouths! YUCK!!!

Anybody know why 4in is the cut off or why they are more prone to carry this at a young age?

 

[Dan F]

Aquatic turtles are more prone to carry this at a young age for some reason. This is why its illegal to buy a RES below 4inches unless for educational or research purposes. I know that this law came around back in the day when all these children would put small turtles in their mouths! YUCK!!!

Anybody know why 4in is the cut off or why they are more prone to carry this at a young age?

I'd always heard it was because of kids sticking turtles in their mouths as well. 4" may be the max size of a child's mouth!

 

[coura]

Aquatic turtles are more prone to carry this at a young age for some reason. This is why its illegal to buy a RES below 4inches unless for educational or research purposes. I know that this law came around back in the day when all these children would put small turtles in their mouths! YUCK!!!

Anybody know why 4in is the cut off or why they are more prone to carry this at a young age?

Because many of those small cheap turts where raised on insanitary condicions on massive producion farms (this continues to some degree) But whit a healty home bred turt you have not more chances of picking salm whit a young one than whit a old one.

 

[krzr3000]

What are the specifics of the shell size law? I know in CT (where i work) its the 4" law...but the < 4" specimens are openly sold in chinatown, southern states, etc.