Cutesy turtles no bargain
By: PHILIP K. IRELAND - Staff Writer | ∞
North County Humane Society officials are warning about the dangers of handling red-eared slider turtles, especially for children who might be tempted to put small turtles of this popular species in their mouths.
Courtesy Photo
OCEANSIDE -- Those tiny red-eared slider turtles for sale for a few bucks outside local stores might seem like the perfect gift for your budding biologist, but most are illegal and can carry disease.
Turtles are potential carriers of salmonella, a naturally occurring bacteria in turtles and other reptiles, said Julie Bank, executive director of the North County Humane Society.
The bacteria can cause diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever and headache. The risk is highest for children, seniors, pregnant women and people with weak immune systems.
That's where the cute factor comes in. Handling the silver dollar-sized red-eared sliders, which are green with red "ears," is tempting for young and old.Most adults know not to put the reptile in their mouths -- but that's precisely the way most small children experience the world. Health officials in North Carolina recently linked five cases of salmonellosis in children to handling turtles.
"So the warning is: They are not necessarily the healthiest animal, and your kids can get sick," Bank said.
Beyond the health risk, selling red-eared slider turtles smaller than four inches is a federal crime, Bank said. The law's logic: Larger turtles aren't so cuddly, and kids are less likely to put a four-inch turtle in their mouths, Bank said.
Red-eared sliders are one of the most popular pet turtles, said Joe Alvarez of LLL Reptile and Supply in Escondido on Christmas Eve. Alvarez said his store was temporarily out of the turtles. PetSmart in Oceanside was also out of stock on Monday.
Contact staff writer Philip K. Ireland at (760) 901-4043 or online at pireland@nctimes.com.
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Ralphie wrote on Dec 25, 2007 4:33 AM:But if you make turtle soup, wouldn't that kill the germs?
JIm wrote on Dec 25, 2007 7:18 AM:HERE IN LOUISIANA WE HAVE PLAYED WITH THESE TURTLES FOR YEARS. THIS IS WHERE THEY ARE RAISED. THE PROBLEM USED TO BE PEOPLE DID NOT CARE FOR THEM LIKE THEY SHOULD HAVE AND THEY FED THEM THE WRONG FOODS, WHICH CAUSED THE WHOLE PROBLEM WITH SALOMELLA. JUST ANOTHER WAY BAD SCIENCE HAS TAKEN AWAY A SMALL JOY FOR LITTLE KIDS
Jon wrote on Dec 25, 2007 8:08 AM:I addopted a Female Red eared slider about 14 years ago.It was tiny about 2 inches long.Bought a tank ,filter and all the required turtle stuff. The critter thrived, Tanks kept getting bigger,(150 gallon), filters more extensive and warming equipment more techno.The creature finally got to be about 14 inches long,a very happy turtle, She would consume about 10 large gold fish weekly( Live) and regular turtle food. Turtles are quite the predator, You don't want one unless you have the recourses to make sure they stay healthy and happy.Turtles will bite. Be careful.
turtle lady wrote on Dec 25, 2007 8:09 PM:2 of my turtles I've had 51 years....yes, thats 50 plus 1....they live forever if you care for them properly....flash forward from the plastic bowl and the plastic palm tree today they live is a $10,000 pond in our yard in San Jacinto....they certainly have enriched my family and my life.....people should be educated about any living thing they take on, be it plant or beast.
ejp wrote on Dec 28, 2007 9:40 AM:Thanks for the article. This year a child died from Salmonella from a pet turtle. People should know the risk before they buy ... and know that selling small turtles is illegal!
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