So, I got attacked by my turtle

[Gourami Swami]

I was doing a water change on my turtle enclosure today, and my smaller RES, a 8" male, decided my wrist looked tasty. None of my turtles have ever bitten me before or shown any intention to, so I was not expecting this. He clamped his little jaws on my wrist, and was determined not to let go. He must have been biting down for at least a minute and a half before i finally got him to loosen his grip. I should note that anything I did to try and stop his death grip was unsuccessful. I tried taking him out and shaking him, dangling treats in front of his face, and prying his jaws open all to no avail. I think he just got tired of clamping down when he let go.
Thankfully he did not break the skin, but he did leave a large swollen welt on my wrist. It stings like a *****.
So, does anyone have any useful secrets to get these little guys to open their death grips in case this happens again?
From now on I will be doing water changes wearing thick rubber gloves, but I dont want to stop handling him or feeding him by hand. Anyone had this happen to them? Are there any secrets to making them let go?

 

[coura]

This has worked for me but you must be realy carefull. If a turtle bites me and doesant let go I grab her tail by the base delicatly but firmely by some instants utill she releases my finger (or hand). during all the process make sure you sustain all of your turtle´s body ,so especialy if you are dealing with a large animal is good to ask for somebody´s help or put your turtle(and finger )in the ground. Also dont hold to tight because the base of a turtle´s tail is a delicade struture. The reason of doing this is not to hurt the turtle but to turn her atention to something else than the finger. Some times all it thakes for her to realese her grip is just to put her in the ground. wonce she realizes that she is on strange territory and that she is unable to eat what has grabed, she will let go (and this is assuming that you are able to remain calm wile a foot long slider tries to rip of your finger ). Puting your turtle (delicatly) upsidedown can also work.hope this helps

 

[Gourami Swami]

Thanks for the advice man! I was NOT able to remain calm this time unfortunately. I feel sorry because of the obscenities I was yelling at him, since I know he wouldnt want to hurt me. Next time, if there is a next time, I will try what you advised.

 

[coura]

His good to help dude

 

[ceeej31]

my painted seems intent on killing me, so ive been bitten a few times and im sorry but i dont know how to get them to let go

 

[coura]

Have you tryed any of the 3 metods I´ve told earlier? Painteds like most turtles have a pretty powerfull bite but you must stay calm at all times. This is only a small painted, not a 2 foot snapper, it cant make serius damage.And it happens to every body. Ive alredy been bitten several times by 10 inches of females sliders and that can hurt like hell to the point of making me skream like a litle girl.From the bite of a big female you can lose sensacion in the tip of the finger for several hours (and that is the happiest senario in wich the turtle was unable to rip the peace of flesh she was holding in her mouth). Comparing to that a bite from a painted is noting. Please be pacient and enjoy your turle wich is by all means one of the most beautifull of all north American species

 

[Vicious_Fish]

I didn't read everything above but if your turtle does bite you, you should keep it calm and lay it down on a flat surface and hopefully it will let go. When you are holding it and trying to pry it's jaws opens it's natural instinct is to keep on biting this "predator" trying to eat it (you).

 

[Aromantis]

I've heard that u can use lemon juice. (kind in the bottle) It hurts like f**** on the part thats been bitten, but is so sour it gets the turtle to let go. HINT: It might be a good idea to do this very near the tank cuz u want to get the turtle it the water so it can wash its mouth out.

 

[Gourami Swami]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I wish I had read a thread like this before yesterday . I will try lemon juice and everything else if it happens again.

Im just lucky my big old female didnt decide to chomp on me, I think she could have ripped me a new one. And if the bite does break skin, should I be worried about salmonella? My GF was all set yesterday to hop in the car and take me to the ER.

 

[Aromantis]

Even if its not salmonella, u should always be careful with animal bites cuz they get infected VERY easily.