Turtles are probably the most adorable reptile species. Therefore, people are often tempted to pet the turtle. However, unlike other animals, turtles do not really like to be held and petted. Therefore, it takes a special trick to pet the turtle. For you turtle owners, here's how to pet without hurting the turtle.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Stroking the Tortoise
Step 1. Approach from the front
If you can't be seen and suddenly your hand pops up, the turtle will get scared and bite you. Always approach the turtle from the front so you can see the turtle.
Step 2. Place the turtle on a low, flat surface
Turtles will be more receptive to humans if they feel calm and safe. Therefore, place the turtle on the floor (try on tiles instead of carpet) when petted.
Step 3. Caress the top of the turtle's head
Gently run your hand over the top center of the turtle's head. Be careful not to touch the eyes/nose.
If the tortoise repeatedly sticks its head in the air with its mouth open, it means that the tortoise doesn't like having its head touched
Step 4. Caress the turtle's chin and cheeks
Gently stroke the bottom of the chin and along the turtle's cheeks with your fingers.
Step 5. Massage the turtle's neck
If the turtle is tame, you can massage the turtle's neck so that it goes back into its shell.
Step 6. Caress your turtle shell
Turtles can feel touch through their shells. Therefore, gently stroke the turtle's shell in circular or straight motions along the shell.
You can also stroke the turtle's shell with a toothbrush or other soft brush on the top of the shell
Step 7. Lay your tortoise
You can also enjoy time with your turtle by letting it crawl or sit on your thigh. Just make sure your turtle doesn't fall.
The turtle will pee when it is lifted so be careful when placing the turtle on your body
Step 8. Be persistent in trying
Tortoises don't like being petted all the time, but the more often you do this, the more likely you will get used to interacting with humans.
Turtles associate their owners with food. As such, try rewarding your turtle with treats when your turtle wants to be petted
Part 2 of 2: Holding the Tortoise
Step 1. Know the risks
Turtles are not considered a dangerous animal. However, some types of turtles, especially snapping turtles, can cause painful and dangerous bite wounds. In addition, turtles can spread a number of diseases that are harmful to humans. Turtle shells contain salmonella bacteria that can make humans sick.
- Salmonella cannot be cleaned from turtles.
- Do not allow children to handle turtles unsupervised.
Step 2. Be patient
Just because you raise a turtle, doesn't mean the turtle will be tame. Unlike cats and dogs, which naturally seek human attention, turtles tend to view humans with doubt and fear. Therefore, you need to be patient in raising turtles. It may take a very long time before the turtle becomes tame with you
Step 3. Handle with care
Turtles seem to be strong because of their hard shell. However, turtles' feet and heads can hurt when they come out of their shells if not handled properly. Here are some tips for holding turtles:
- Do not lift the turtle unless necessary. When you are about to lift a small turtle, open your palms and place it under the plastron (bottom shell/tortoise belly), and make sure the turtle's feet touch your hands. In the wild, turtles are less active than on land. The turtle will be more comfortable if your hand is under it.
- Always lift the tortoise from behind, not from the front. Turtles are usually unpredictable and can bite if lifted from the front. Turtles may also urinate when removed. Therefore, always wear gloves when lifting turtles.
- Do not place the turtle on the edge of a high surface. Turtles are not always aware of their surroundings and may fall over the edge and injure themselves.
- Do not touch the turtle's paws and paws.
- Remember, turtles can still die. Some turtles have soft shells that can be damaged or scratched easily and can lead to bacterial infections. The hard shell of a turtle can also be damaged and crushed. So, be careful when handling the turtle.
Step 4. Measure your ambient temperature
Turtles are more active and responsive in warm temperatures. The cold tortoise is much more shy and ignores external stimuli because it doesn't understand the situation around it. The best time to pet a turtle is after sunbathing or lamp time.
Turtles need sunlight, not just artificial light and heat from lamps. Lack of sunlight will cause metabolic bone disease that breaks down turtle bones
Step 5. Understand turtle communication
Turtles are not animals that often communicate. However, there are some physical cues that indicate a turtle is looking to interact with humans, for example:
- hiss
- Sit still with your mouth open.
- Get into the shell.
- Gestures of biting or bluffing.
Step 6. Keep it clean
Always wash your hands after handling turtles, because there are diseases that are spread from turtle shells. Experts always recommend holding tortoises with gloves on, even if petting a tortoise is futile. Also, keep in mind that tortoises spend most of their time in soil and dirty water, so it's a good idea to rinse them before handling them.
Warning
- Don't pet the wild tortoise.
- Do not pet the snapping turtle unless you have been trained by an expert. Snapping turtles have a strong bite and are quite aggressive.
- Turtles are not animals that like to be held. Some turtles spend their entire lives under the care of humans and remain tame to humans.
