Is Turtle Pee Dangerous? Trust The Answer

Turtles are becoming increasingly popular with pet owners, and red-eared sliders are attracting more and more pet owners because of their lovable and colorful appearance. However, potential pet owners might have questions about whether they bite or are dangerous.

In this second part of the most frequently asked questions about red-eared sliders, we answer questions about the safe handling of red-eared sliders.

What is dangerous about the red-eared slider?

Red-eared sliders are not dangerous and will not harm you. However, the real danger in keeping a red-eared slider turtle comes from the salmonella that young turtles bring in.

Salmonella is a disease caused by salmonella bacteria. Some people carry this bacterium without getting sick, while other people get sick. People get salmonella poisoning from eating or touching things that have come in contact with a turtle’s feces, such as B. their food bowl or tank decorations.

What makes it worse is that although young turtles carry this dangerous bacterium, you can’t tell if they carry it because their immune systems are too weak to show any symptoms.

It’s safest to wear gloves while handling and feeding the red-eared sliders so you stay away from any dangers that salmonella possess.

Do red-eared turtles bite?

As you may already know, turtles can bite. But don’t let that stop you from getting a pet turtle. Red-eared sliders don’t just bite for fun. Instead, they only take the adverse action when they have no other options. Therefore, biting is a behavior that can be averted if they are treated with proper care and are not afraid.

Red-eared sliders are among the most popular types of reptile pets, along with other reptiles such as bearded dragons, ball pythons, leopard geckos, and crested geckos. If you have decided to keep a red-eared slider as a pet, rest assured that it will most likely be the best pet you have ever had.

Are Red-Eared Turtles Friendly?

Red-eared sliders are often very friendly, almost like dogs. Red-eared Sliders recognize their keepers and can also be trained. While they can be trained to come when called or even eat from their owner’s hand, it’s important not to startle them. When injured, they strike with their razor-sharp claws and powerful jaws.

Redeared Slider Turtles are active pets that enjoy swimming and diving. Captive-born red-eared sliders tend to be friendlier and more outgoing than wild-born red-eared sliders. These turtles are generally friendly once you get used to them, you just need to be gentle with them.

Why Red-eared Turtles Dangerous to Other Native Species?

The red-eared turtle is one of the most popular pet turtles in the United States and has been sold in the country since 1963. This reptile has a very wide range, found from southern Florida and Texas in the United States to South America. In its natural habitat it prefers rivers, ponds and swamps with lush aquatic vegetation, but in the US it has adapted to still bodies of water such as farm ponds, canals and pools.

When the turtles are kept as pets, they are often housed in aquariums. Traditional 10-gallon aquariums are not large enough to house them for their entire lifespan of 30 years or more, so humans are releasing unwanted red-eared turtles into the wild, where they compete with native species for food and habitat.

The US government gave three reasons why the release of these turtles is a problem:

The red-eared turtle has been ranked as one of the top 100 worst invasive species in the world by the IUCN Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG). This classification is given to introduced species that are spreading and causing damage to their new habitat. According to that list, it ranks 64th only in the US, but it’s unknown how many of those released are pets.

Turtles lay their eggs at least twice a year at a temperature of 26-30 degrees Celsius. The females usually leave the water and seek out a high bank or hill where they dig a hole to lay their eggs. In Florida, some turtles have been found in abandoned wells.

If the pet turtle was released into a body of water with naturally occurring alligators, no predators would be a problem for the offspring, but if released into an area without large predators, many eggs and hatchlings will be eaten by raccoons, skunks, or birds.

Because red-eared turtles are widespread in South Florida, there are enormous populations in canals and ponds that could negatively impact native species. One study showed that red-eared turtles reduced native turtle populations by 80 percent after just 6 months in the water.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) considers releasing pet turtles an act of littering. Pet owners who want to get rid of their turtle can drop them off at a pet store or rescue facility.

Is Turtle Pee Harmful to Humans?

Um, actually not. It’s a myth passed around by those who don’t do research before they write. The idea was even used as the plot for an episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (Season 7).

In fact, it’s been around for many years when someone mentioned it on the rec.games.frp.misc Usenet group. However, the “turtle urine” myth is particularly stupid and medically inaccurate.

According to the myth, turtle urine can cause severe and irreversible brain damage if it comes into contact with human skin. To date, there has been no research to support this claim, so this is something we don’t need to worry about.

That doesn’t mean, however, that you let turtles pee on you while you’re handling them. Because urine itself is a bacteria-containing liquid. Like the excrement of other animals, it contains metabolic waste products of the body that can be harmful to humans, especially children and pregnant women. Therefore, to be on the safe side, always wear protective gear when handling your pet.

Yes, so now you can all sit back and relax. You will not get brain damage from a pet turtle.

investigation details

January 9, 2020

CDC and public health officials in several states were investigating a multi-state outbreak of human Salmonella Oranienburg infections linked to contact with pet turtles.

Public health investigators used the PulseNet system to identify diseases that were part of this outbreak. PulseNet is the national subtyping network of public health and food safety laboratories coordinated by CDC. DNA fingerprinting is performed on Salmonella bacteria isolated from sick people using a standardized laboratory and data analysis method called whole genome sequencing (WGS). CDC PulseNet maintains a national database of these sequences, which are used to identify potential outbreaks. WGS gives investigators detailed information about the bacteria that cause disease. In this study, WGS showed that bacteria isolated from sick people are genetically closely related. This means people in this outbreak were more likely to share a common source of infection.

A total of 26 people infected with the outbreak strain Salmonella Oranienburg were reported from 14 states. For a list of states and the number of cases in each state, see the Reported Cases Map page.

The illnesses began between May 29, 2019 and October 31, 2019. The ages of sufferers range from less than 1 year to 80 years, with a median age of 25 years. 73 percent of those infected were female. Of 24 sick people with available information, 8 hospital admissions were reported. No deaths were reported.

The WGS analysis did not identify antibiotic resistance in the 23 available bacterial isolates from sick people. Testing of five outbreak isolates using standard antibiotic susceptibility testing methods by the CDC’s National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) laboratory confirmed these results.

investigation of the outbreak

Epidemiological, laboratory and tracing evidence suggests that contact with pet turtles was the likely source of this outbreak.

In interviews, patients answered questions about animal contact in the week before their illness. Of the 22 people interviewed, 16 (73%) reported having had contact with a pet turtle. Of the 8 people who reported the species of pet turtle, 7 (88%) reported contact with red-eared sliders. The outbreak strain of Salmonella Oranienburg was found in samples taken from a diseased individual’s pet turtle.

Sick people reported buying turtles as pets from pet stores or receiving them as gifts. Among the 10 people who remembered where they bought their turtle, all 10 said they had purchased or had exposure to turtles they had bought at various Petco stores. CDC has brought the investigation to Petco’s attention and is working with the company to update its educational materials for customers who purchase pet turtles.

Of 11 people who knew the turtle’s size, 9 reported contact with a turtle four centimeters or larger. Previous Salmonella outbreaks have been linked to turtles with shell lengths less than four inches. Because of the increased risk of Salmonella disease associated with these small turtles, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned the sale and distribution of turtles with shells less than four inches long as pets.

Regardless of where turtles are purchased or how big they are, turtles can carry salmonella germs, which can make people sick. Pet stores should provide customers with information about salmonella, and pet owners should always follow steps to stay healthy around their pet.

On January 9, 2020, this outbreak investigation has ended.

picture

Spanish

Turtles often carry the Salmonella bacteria on their outer skin and shell surfaces. Reptiles such as bearded dragons and geckos can also infect humans with salmonella. These glassy-eyed little creatures may look cute and harmless, but small turtles and reptiles like bearded dragons and geckos can make people very sick.

People can become infected with Salmonella if they come into contact with:

turtles or other reptiles (lizards, snakes);

amphibians (frogs, salamanders, newts); and

The habitats of reptiles or amphibians, such as cages, tanks and aquariums.

Salmonella can cause a serious or even life-threatening infection in humans, although the bacteria will not make reptiles or amphibians sick. On February 23, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the latest outbreak linked to tiny turtles, which has caused 22 illnesses and one death so far.

People infected with Salmonella may have diarrhea, fever, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and headaches. Symptoms usually appear six to 72 hours after exposure to the bacteria and last about two to seven days. Most people recover without treatment; However, some can become so ill that they need treatment in a hospital.

Who is at risk from Salmonella infection?

Anyone can get a salmonella infection. But the risk is highest in infants; small children; elderly people; and people with reduced natural resistance to infection due to pregnancy, cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes and other diseases.

“All reptiles and amphibians have the potential to be carriers of salmonella,” says Vic Boddie II, Ph.D., consumer protection officer at the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine. “And when children come into contact with small turtles, they run the risk of becoming very ill.”

“Even if a small turtle doesn’t look sick, it can still carry salmonella, which could make small children sick. And unfortunately, children unknowingly infect themselves,” says Boddie. “Children tend to put the little turtles in their mouths or play in the turtles’ habitat and then put their fingers in their mouths. Also, reptile habitats are sometimes cleaned in the kitchen sink, which can lead to cross-contamination of food and cutlery, which can pose a serious risk to both children and the elderly.”

Surfaces such as countertops, table tops, bare floors, and carpets can also become contaminated with the bacteria if the turtle is allowed to walk on them. Bacteria can survive on these surfaces for a long time. Proper handling and hygiene practices are extremely important to prevent the spread of the bacteria and keep you and your family healthy.

Infection by tortoises and bearded dragons

In four outbreaks between March 1, 2017 and February 23, 2021, pet turtles were the likely source of Salmonella infection in 137 people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These four outbreaks were traced to Salmonella Typhimurium in small pet turtles in 2021, Salmonella Oranienburg in pet turtles in 2019, and Salmonella Agbeni in pet turtles in 2017. One patient has died in the 2021 outbreak. Of the 159 patients, 57 were so ill that they had to be hospitalized. At least 25 children under the age of five were among those infected.

The research showed that many of the people had been exposed to a small turtle by touching it, feeding it, cleaning the habitat or changing the water in the tank just before they became ill. Almost half of the people who have had contact with baby turtles reported buying baby turtles from a street vendor and treating them, or receiving the turtle as a gift.

Bearded dragons can also be the source of a salmonella outbreak. As of November 20, 2020, the CDC had received reports of 18 people in 11 states infected with bearded dragon-related Salmonella. Pet geckos have also been implicated in salmonella outbreaks. All reptiles carry salmonella germs in their droppings, even if they appear healthy and clean. These germs can easily spread to their body, their habitat and everything in the area where they live.

As with turtles, these outbreaks generally affected children, and some infected individuals were hospitalized. It is extremely important that you and your family members wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after handling geckos or their habitats.

advice for consumers

The main aim of this page is to enlighten you on some of the little things about turtles that some may or may not already know. I’ve learned a lot while working with them. Most of the information about ATP comes from my personal experience, with some additional information added by other experienced goalkeepers. If you have a different point of view about anything on this or any of the other sites, or have information that you think should be included, please email me your comments. The advice offered here is not the be-all and end-all of turtle care. I am only providing information that I have learned over the years through education, experience and dealing with other long term and dedicated keepers and breeders. A little further down I will dispel some of the commonly accepted rumors and hopefully give you a better insight into turtle keeping. If you’ve heard of common misconceptions that aren’t listed here, please email me so I can add them. Please read on, learn what you can and have fun with turtles! “What is the difference between a tortoise, a tortoise and a terrapin?” A turtle is any reptile that lives in a shell. A tortoise is a tortoise that lives on land but can go into the water to drink, cool off, or escape and avoid predators. A terrapin is a turtle that lives primarily in the water and generally only comes out of the water to lay eggs or sunbathe. “Do turtles bite?” Yes. One important thing to keep in mind: if it has a mouth, it can bite! If you choose to hand feed yours I would recommend doing so with tongs as some turtles may not aim as well as you would hope. “Are turtles mean?” Turtles are for the most part not aggressive towards humans. Most turtles are like people or other pets you have. They have their own personalities and temperaments. Some of us are aggressive if you pull them out of the water but docile in the water and try not to bite. Some of the others are very different. They’ll try to run when you remove them from the tank, but if you put your hand in the water… well, watch out. They think your fingers are chicken tenders! Turtles tend to accidentally bite each other, especially when trying to grab the same piece of food. Even the supposedly “wild” alligator snapping turtle. The alligator in the name came from his looks, not his temperament. Myths surround almost everything in the world today and turtles are no different. From the tales and legends of the old wives to modern day misconceptions about care and the turtles themselves. “If a turtle bites you, it won’t let go until it hears thunder.” As entertaining as this legend is, it is definitely false. If this myth were even remotely true, I would have several problems. “Turtles give you salmonella.” Yes and no. Owning or handling a turtle doesn’t automatically make you sick with salmonella or anything else, just like eating chicken, eggs, or pork puts you at risk for salmonella poisoning every time. People who suffer from turtle salmonella in general are people who don’t take proper care of their turtles and also have poor personal hygiene practices. It’s always a good idea to wash your hands after handling turtles or cleaning their habitats. You won’t use your hands to clean your cat’s litter box without washing your hands afterwards, so why clean the turtle’s home (where they eat and go to the bathroom) without washing your hands? Also, since turtles swim where they eat, drink, and use the bathroom, it makes sense to wash your hands afterwards. In addition, due to the immune system, it is recommended that turtles and their housing are not handled by young children, the elderly, or those with compromised immune systems. Zookeepers around the world have successfully kept and bred turtles for decades and never gotten sick. “It is illegal to own a turtle under 4 inches.” There are some states where it is illegal to buy a turtle and others where it is illegal to buy a turtle with a shell length less than 4 inches, but this includes buying and selling, not owning, a turtle. The only instance where it is illegal to own a turtle, or own more than a certain number of a given species, is if it is a protected species. It is not illegal to own or purchase a turtle with a shell length of less than 4 inches, unless it is a protected species. “Turtle urine causes brain damage in humans when it comes in contact with skin.” While this is medically incorrect, it would make sense in my case and explain a lot. “A turtle only grows to the size of its enclosure.” As you will learn later when researching ATP, you will learn why this is wrong. Turtles will continue to grow regardless, provided proper husbandry (feeding, temperatures, habitat, and health) is maintained. “Turtles can leave their shell.” The only time a turtle leaves its shell is when it’s dead. Remember that a turtle’s shell is nothing more than an outwardly visible (and often very attractive) oversized rib cage. “Turtles can eat pizza, chocolate and hot dogs.” Turtles can eat pizza, chocolate, and hot dogs. But just because they can doesn’t mean they should. I could be sitting here at my desk typing this and eating the computer graphics card that’s sitting on my desk, but it would do me no good and could have potentially serious consequences for my health. When people and animals eat things they shouldn’t, bad things can happen. “Baby turtles need shallow water because they can’t swim well.” Another common misconception. Baby turtles have the same ability to swim and survive in deeper water (depending on the species [ie even an adult mud turtle can’t survive in deep water – consult care sheets for each species]). Consider this…in the wild, unless baby turtles could survive in deep water, many predators would spot and eat them. They, like adults, use deep water for safety. Provided it is a species that accepts deep water, there is no problem keeping an adult hatchling of this species in a 55 or 75 gallon aquarium filled to the brim. Just make sure they can’t escape. “Turtles that have been kept in shallow water cannot swim and will drown if they are placed in deep water.” Turtles are naturally exceptional swimmers, provided it is a species that is actually aquatic and requires deep water (if in doubt, see care sheets). They do not take swimming lessons and do not forget how to swim. A turtle that has been poorly kept in shallow water for 10 years may take a few hours to adjust to the depth, but under no circumstances should a healthy turtle drown or have trouble adjusting. A little anatomy here Ok. The top of the shell is called the carapace while the bottom part is called the plastron. The part of the shell that connects these two is called the bridge. Pretty easy, right? OK. Well, the tank doesn’t have scales like we know scales. They have large sections called scutes. Scutes are made of kertain, much like our fingernails. The cloaca is an opening in the body located under the tail. It is through this opening that the tortoise performs faecal, urinary, and reproductive functions. Turtles CAN feel things coming into contact with their shell because they have nerve endings there, but they can’t feel pain because they don’t have those types of nerve endings. Why is this? I don’t have the slightest clue, but I’ve seen it in most research materials, so I suspect it’s true. Kinda hard to ask the turtle if something hurts. Carapace Plastron Continuing with the anatomy portion of this small block of information, we move on to the lungs. If you’ve ever heard a turtle hiss and wonder if that’s why they’re crazy…rest assured, they’re not crazy. You are scared. When we breathe, our chest expands and then contracts, drawing in and then releasing air. Well, a turtle’s breast can’t do that because of the hard plastron. Instead, their lungs inflate and take up space in their shell. So when they’re scared and have to pull their head and legs into their shell, they won’t fit all the way in because of the fully inflated lungs. What they do is expel the air in their lungs as quickly as possible so they have room for their limbs to fit within the safety of their hard shells. When this airflow exits their bodies, it makes a hissing sound, leading one to believe the turtle is detached and warning them to stay away. And, just a note for the record, no turtle (on land or otherwise) can get out of its shell and still be alive. If you see a turtle shell and there’s no turtle to be found, the poor creature is dead. They’re attached to its shell, which is actually part of its rib cage. The shell grows at the same rate as the rest of the turtle, so you rarely have to worry about the turtle growing too big for its shell. If the shell looks like it’s about to fall apart, it’s only growing; Discarding parts of the old with incoming segments from new. If the scales are shedding in large layers, or there are red and/or rough patches in scale areas, then there is a problem. Go to the vet. As the turtle grows, you will see a separation of the shields and a lighter area between them on the plastron. This is also normal. This area is also softer than the surrounding scutes. “Is my turtle a boy or a girl?” This is difficult to tell with most turtles until they are older. Males of all turtles have a longer, thicker tail, with the cloaca closer to the tip of the tail, while females have a smaller, thinner tail, with the opening closer to the main part of the body. In some of the more commonly kept turtles (sword turtles, some maps, painteds, cooters), males also have exceptionally long front claws; the females have smaller ones. Males of some species also show a concave or dented plastron. This is said to allow the male to better mount the female when mating. Adult females that have laid a clutch have a semi-flexible anal portion of the plastron. Males Females However, females are larger…sometimes 4 times larger…than males in most turtle species. And just be careful – if you have a male dog, maybe one day he will prove it to you. This is called fanning. This is perfectly normal, but sometimes this fanning can lead to health problems – especially if the roommates think it’s something edible and bite it. “How do you measure a turtle?” A turtle is measured as a straight line from the front of the shell to the back. This is called Straight Carapace Length (SCL). This is accomplished by using an imaginary line passing through or across the turtle. You should not walk along the crest of the carapace as in some species it is highly convex and will give you an inaccurate measurement. Imagine placing bookends and the front and back of the turtle and then measuring the distance between the bookends. Straight shell length “Does my turtle have salmonella?” Could be. But before you jump in at the deep end thinking your turtle is going to kill you or infect you with these bacteria, let’s look at a few things. ALL animals can transmit Salmonella. Yes. All of them. These include dogs, cats, humans, lizards and snakes. Even your sweet little pooch Rover could have it. It won’t jump out of the turtle and get you. The reason turtles get a bad rap when it comes to salmonella poisoning is due to ignorance coupled with poor personal hygiene. Zoo keepers in the 60’s and 70’s (when this was a problem and thus created the 4 inch law) didn’t keep their turtles in very hygienic conditions and didn’t protect themselves by washing their hands. Turtles were commonly kept in Turtle Bowls, which hobbyists have dubbed “Death Bowls”. The water was not filtered and was usually changed once a week or when the warden got tired of smelling the foul water. The turtles were left to live, swim and eat in the same water that they used the bathroom in. Then people would go about their day and not wash their hands – no wonder people got sick. That’s equivalent to having a dog and keeping him in a single room in your house all the time and letting him eat off the floor where he uses the bathroom… and then brush him once a week. This is just begging for all kinds of health issues. Turtle water is no different. Even if the water is filtered and you take proper care of your turtles, it’s always a good idea to wash your hands after interacting with them or their habitat. You wash your hands after brushing your dog or horse, so why not wash them after testing your turtle’s water or after putting your hands in the aquarium to adjust? I would also encourage washing your hands with a strong, antibacterial soap before touching them as well. You don’t want them to give you anything they might have, and you don’t want to give them anything you might have. Play it safe and play it smart. Children should not be allowed to touch the turtles and if allowed, please only do so under strict adult supervision and wash child’s hands IMMEDIATELY after touching them. Children are quick to put their hands in their mouths and this is a great way for bacteria to spread. Their immune system is still relatively weak and they can easily pick up germs – not just salmonella. Elderly people and those with compromised immune systems (such as AIDS and other immune system diseases) are also encouraged not to interact with reptiles. “Why 4 inches and is it illegal to own my baby turtle?” There are some reasons for the law that the turtle must be 4 inches or larger to be sold as a pet. Some of the reasons are far-fetched, but they were believed at the time. All based on salmonella poisoning. Back then, children were allowed to play with the little turtles that had hatched. Children are children and they do what children do – they put everything they play with in their mouths. Not the best idea, but kids are kids. So these little turtles fit snugly in the mouths of young children, helping to spread germs and bacteria. It seems that parents would rather blame the turtle for their child’s illness when they should have taken better care of their children and their turtles. Another reason is that before we understood Salmonella to be an important part of their gut bacteria it was assumed that by the time turtles reach 4 inches they have survived Salmonella and are therefore Salmonella free. We now know this is wrong. It is not illegal to OWN a turtle less than 4 inches in length; it is illegal to SELL a turtle less than 4 inches in length as a PET. Keyword… “pet”. Because of this, it’s legal to buy them online from breeders and retailers who support the “hobby,” as opposed to pet stores that sell the turtles as “pets.” There is a great debate in the courts and in the hobby of turtle keeping, and one that is likely to continue for years to come. You can read about this law here.

turtle eyes

As many turtle keepers know, turtles have good eyesight and turtles are even capable of tracking down and snapping fast prey underwater. As well as skillful maneuvering around objects.

However, there is still a lot that most of us don’t know about turtle eyes. While we may never know exactly how colors appear on turtles, there are many questions that we can easily answer with the evidence at our disposal.

Questions like “Can turtles see colors?”, “How far can turtles see?”, “Can turtles see in the dark?”, “Can turtles see in the dark?”, and “Can turtles see ultraviolet light?”.

To understand how turtles see, we must first look at how humans see so that we can make relatable comparisons that will help us understand how turtles see.

quick reference section

Humans see in the wavelength range from about 400nm to 740nm. While different species of turtles perceive different ranges of visual wavelengths, turtles are also sensitive to wavelengths from 400nm to 740nm, but they appear to be more sensitive to shorter wavelengths such as about 300nm to 370nm (which is is in the wavelength range of ultraviolet light). ).

In fact, turtle eyes have UV receptors and turtles are able to see colors that humans cannot imagine.

Can turtles see colors?

It was once thought that turtles couldn’t see color and probably saw the world in shades of grey.

This theory has been proven wrong. According to research conducted, turtles can distinguish between several different colors.

They are particularly sensitive to red tones and can distinguish between different shades of red better than humans.

Owners have noticed that their turtles respond differently to different colors. This is generally noticed in colors like red, orange, and yellow, which seem to be their favorite colors.

Not only can turtles see color, but research suggests they are likely able to see a wider spectrum of colors than humans.

Red

According to a study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, reptiles like turtles and even birds see red differently than humans.

In fact, a gene (CYP2J19) that can be traced back to dinosaurs allows birds and turtles to see more shades of red than humans. As such, animals can pick up shades between crimson and scarlet.

yellow orange

Several turtle keepers have noticed that their turtles have an odd attraction to the colors red, yellow, and orange. When they see objects of these colors, they often examine the object. According to Animal Planet, when turtles do this, they want to find out if the object is edible.

Can turtles see in the dark?

While turtles can see in the dark just like humans, they don’t have excellent night vision. As in humans, the iris narrows and the pupil narrows during the day.

This lets in less light and ensures our eyes aren’t overwhelmed by the amount of light they receive. When it’s dark/less light, the turtle’s pupils enlarge to let in more light.

This allows turtles to see in the dark. While turtles can see in the dark, their eyes need time to adjust when it suddenly gets dark. After that, the turtle can see pretty well. So don’t be surprised if you see your turtle moving around in its tank at night.

Turtles like humans lack tapetum lucidum. This is a layer of tissue in the eyes of several vertebrates such as dogs, cats, lemurs, deer, and many more.

The tapetum lucidum reflects incoming light back onto the retina, allowing nocturnal animals such as owls, wolves, cats and many more to see better in the dark.

The tapetum lucidum allows animals like cats to be 44% more sensitive to light and therefore allows them to see light so faint that it is imperceptible to humans.

Turtle vision underwater and on land

Green turtle close-up of the head at night

Most turtles are either semi-aquatic or aquatic. Aquatic turtles spend most of their lives underwater. They only come out of the water to breathe, sunbathe on rocks and logs in the water or, in the case of sea turtles, watch the shoreline.

It is therefore important that they see underwater. Because they need to breathe and sunbathe, they also need to be able to see out of the water. The turtle’s eyes are well adapted to see both in water and in the air.

How do turtles see underwater? (Turtle Eye Anatomy)

The curvature of the human cornea refracts light and allows us to see perfectly in the air. Under water, however, the cornea is unable to refract light.

Because of this, our underwater vision is cloudy and blurry. Aquatic animals like fish rely solely on their lenses to refract light, with their cornea merely acting as a protective barrier.

Unlike humans and fish, turtles need to be able to see clearly both under and out of the water. They achieve this by having flat corneas and spherical lenses. As such, they have perfect vision underwater and can see fairly well out of the water.

Turtles have an even distribution of rods and cones. This makes their eyes best suited to bright light. No wonder, then, that turtles are primarily diurnal.

However, research and studies have shown that sea turtles can see bioluminescence in their prey. This ensures they can locate bioluminescent prey deep underwater.

How far can turtles see?

Turtles are farsighted underwater but nearsighted out of the water. Most turtles are aquatic species and as such hunt underwater. This requires excellent underwater vision.

Which in turn means that turtles have flat corneas and spherical lenses. These characteristics ensure that aquatic turtles can see far underwater. These same traits mean that turtles are short-sighted when out of the water.

However, since turtles only come out of the water to breathe air and sunbathe, it’s perfectly fine for them to be short-sighted when out of the water.

turtle eye problems

Being able to recognize and treat eye diseases in turtles is necessary. In addition, if you know the causes of eye problems, you can reduce the likelihood of eye problems because you can correct the factors that cause them.

The two main eye problems that pet turtles suffer from are eye infections and puffy eyes. Untreated eye infections can lead to a respiratory infection because the bacteria that cause the eye infection can easily enter the nasal passages.

Respiratory infections can lead to death. As you can see, an eye infection is a serious condition that can be fatal if left untreated. Puffy eyes make it difficult for the turtle to see or eat. This too can lead to starvation and death.

Swollen eyes

Puffy eyes typically occur with an eye infection and are an early sign of vitamin A deficiency. First of all, this deficiency causes the Harderian glands to swell.

That is why the eyes become swollen. If left untreated, the eyelids become so swollen that the affected turtle can no longer open its eyes. At this point the turtle is practically blind.

symptoms

There are some symptoms of puffy eyes. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should contact your veterinarian.

The eyes may appear more puffy than they normally are.

The conjunctiva and the tear ducts turn red.

Swollen Eyelids – The eyelids can become so swollen that the turtle is practically blind as it cannot see through the swollen eyelids.

Excessive tear production/crying

difficulty breathing

Turtles can stop eating and starve.

weight loss

causes

The main cause of swollen eyes is a vitamin A deficiency, also known as hypovitaminosis A. Vitamin A deficiency is due to an unbalanced diet. Feed turtles plenty of green, leafy vegetables.

In addition, you can offer commercial turtle foods that contain all the necessary nutrients, including vitamin A, in the right proportions. Other problems caused by vitamin A deficiency include swollen feet and kidney damage.

prevention

It’s important to make sure your turtle is getting the right diet. Research your turtle’s nutritional needs and feed them properly. A mix of commercial turtle diet and green leafy vegetables is the way to go.

Offer foods like spinach, parsley, kale, dandelion leaves, romaine lettuce, coleslaw, squash, and zucchini.

In addition, you can supplement the turtle’s diet.

treatment

You must see a herp vet for a prescribed treatment. Vitamin A injections and prescription vitamin A drops are typically used to treat puffy eyes. Also, the turtle owner needs to improve the turtle’s diet.

Since swollen eyes are often associated with eye infections, the vet may also need to treat bacterial eye infections.

Bacterial eye infection

Bacterial eye infections are closely related to respiratory tract infections because the same bacteria that cause eye infections also cause RTI (Respiratory Tract Infection). As you may already know, respiratory infections can be fatal. The bacteria usually responsible for eye infections are Pseudomonas and Aeromonas.

symptoms

Some symptoms of eye infections are –

reddening of the conjunctiva.

Swollen eyes

discharge from the eyes

The turtle scratches and rubs its eye frequently.

Because eye infections are linked to respiratory infections, be on the lookout for RTI symptoms such as:

Discharge from mouth, nose

Loss of balance while swimming

Sneeze

wheezing/difficulty breathing

causes

There are many causes of eye infections. However, the most common causes include

Unhygienic living conditions such as polluted aquarium water.

vitamin A deficiency.

Bad temperature control.

prevention

Make sure that the aquarium water is always clean. Install a heavy-duty aquarium filter labeled for an aquarium twice the size of the turtle’s current aquarium. This is because turtles produce more waste than fish.

Also, change about a third to a half of the water in the aquarium every week. Also run tests for nitrite and ammonia levels in the water. If the levels remain below the recommended levels, the turtle is safe

Related articles you can read are:

treatment

As with puffy eyes, you will need to see a veterinarian for treatment. Systemic antibiotics are used to treat eye infections.

Pet owners must also improve living conditions in the turtle’s enclosure to prevent the disease from recurring.

Conclusion

Turtle eyes are perfectly adapted to the turtle’s environment. As such, they have excellent underwater vision and can see colors. Turtles can even see in the UV spectrum. Something humans can’t do.

Their excellent eyesight ensures they can identify food, navigate their surroundings and even locate mates. Turtles also suffer from eye problems, the most common being eye infections and swollen eyes.

If left unchecked, these problems can lead to death. Prevention is always the best policy. To avoid eye infections and swollen eyes, make sure the enclosure and aquarium water are clean and feed the turtle a balanced diet.

If you have any questions or information, please leave a comment.

Click to rate this post! [Total: 4 Average: 5 ]

Sharing is caring!

Thinkstock

As a rule of thumb, turtles should live in tanks that are five times the size and contain water that is two and a half times the depth of the turtle’s length.

Turtles are very popular pets and can be great for people who want a fascinating animal to look at and appreciate – but maybe not necessarily to cuddle. Turtles can be great for families with children of primary school age and older, but not ideal for families with very young children who drop them, forget to feed them, or forget to wash their hands after handling them (there is a very important reason for this – read on!). If you are thinking of getting a pet turtle, here are some interesting facts about them that you may not know.

1. Not all turtles swim

Tortoises, unlike turtles, all live on land, but did you know that not all turtles live in water? Some turtles, such as B. several species of box turtles, need access to water to stay hydrated but spend most of their time on land. People tend to use the terms “turtle” and “tortoise” interchangeably, but they’re actually very different animals. Turtles, which swim mostly in water, are usually webbed, while turtles have defined toes. Also, many tortoises are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter, while the majority of tortoises are vegetarian.

2. Turtles are long-lived

Many turtles can live for decades if kept at the right temperature and humidity, exposed to ultraviolet light, and given a species-appropriate diet. In fact, many of my turtle (another word for turtle) patients outlive their original owners and are passed down within families from generation to generation. Their longevity is certainly something a potential owner should consider before bringing a tortoise into the home.

3. All turtles carry salmonella

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that many reptiles, especially turtles, can carry normally in their intestinal tract and are unaffected. They temporarily shed these bacteria in their stool. In humans and other mammals like cats and dogs, these bacteria can cause terrible gastrointestinal problems like severe vomiting and diarrhea. That’s why it’s important that anyone who handles a turtle, its droppings, or the items in its tank wash their hands afterwards. This is especially important when handling reptiles with children, who often put their hands in their mouths. This is also the main reason turtles are not recommended as pets for families with very young children. In addition to rigorously washing hands, I remind all families whose turtles I treat to keep a pump bottle of hand sanitizer right next to the tank.

4. You can tell apart boy and girl turtles

With many exotic pets, it’s not always easy to know if you’re having a boy or girl, but with turtles there are several options. A good rule of thumb to tell the difference between males and females is that males have longer tails and their rectal opening — called the vent — is further down the length of their tail than females. In nymph tortoises, the opening is much closer to the shell. Some species of turtles also exhibit other male-female differences, such as being brighter red than the females’ brown eyes). Some male turtles also have longer claws than females.

5. Females can lay eggs without males

Like chickens, female tortoises can lay eggs without a male tortoise being around to fertilize them—although those unfertilized eggs don’t hatch. Many wild tortoises lay eggs in spring in response to temperature and light cycle changes; That’s why we see so many turtles on the streets in warmer weather. They are looking for sandy or soft soil in which to dig and bury their eggs. However, pet turtles often don’t follow these seasonal rules because their environment doesn’t change much and they can lay eggs year-round.

6. Turtles still need dry land

Turtles usually live in rectangular tanks filled with water as they swim most of the time. But even turtles have to dry off sometimes. Therefore, all tortoises should have a basking area in their tank – usually a large rock – where they can climb up and hang out. But also remember that turtles love to eat rocks, so make sure any rocks in the tank (including gravel at the bottom or for basking) are larger than your turtle’s head to prevent accidental snacking. Stones can cause blockage in the gastrointestinal tract.

7.Even small turtles need big spaces

Most turtle breeders will tell you that as a rule of thumb, turtle tanks must be five times the length of an adult turtle and contain water two and a half times the depth of the turtle’s length. The larger the turtle, the larger the tank and the larger the amount of water needed. A powerful filter is also needed to keep all that water clean, since turtles both eat and defecate where they live. The filter will need to be changed regularly depending on the size of the tank and the number of turtles it houses (your vet should be able to advise on a preferred schedule).

8. Turtles need vegetables too

Turtles have a high requirement for vitamin A in their diet as they do not store this vitamin in their bodies. So they have to get it from their food. Good dietary sources of vitamin A for turtles include dark green leafy vegetables and red, orange, or yellow vegetables such as bell peppers and squash, depending on the species. Without enough vitamin A, many turtles develop swollen eyelids and have trouble seeing. If your tortoise develops these signs, be sure to have it checked out by a tortoise veterinarian.

9. Turtles know their owners!

Most people don’t know this, but many turtles recognize the sights and sounds of their owners! In fact, many owners comment on how their pets swim right to the surface of the water to greet them as they enter the space. You may not be expecting it, but your turtle may actually come to you when you call it!

Turtles can make phenomenal pets if you’re willing to take the time to properly set up and care for their environment and feed them according to their species-specific needs. And remember, turtles, like our furry friends, need routine veterinary care. Most importantly, if you find that a pet turtle is not for you, please do not release them into the wild. Many pet tortoise species are not meant to live in the wild and will die without care or may introduce diseases that can make wild tortoises ill. There are many animal shelters or turtle rescues that will take in an unwanted pet.

While not every owner wants to have a pet that is as labor intensive as a turtle, as you can see from these fascinating facts, turtles can be incredibly awesome when they are healthy!

More about Vetstreet:

turtles and salmonella

Pet turtles can carry Salmonella germs in their feces even if they appear healthy and clean. These germs can easily spread to their bodies, the tank water and anything in the area where they live and move.

You can get sick if you touch your turtle or anything around them and then touch your mouth with unwashed hands and swallow salmonella germs.

The Chinese softshell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) excretes urea, the waste product of urine, from its mouth, scientists report Oct. 11, 2012 in the Journal of Experimental Biology.

Softshell turtles from China can essentially expel urine from their mouths, researchers say.

This strange ability may have helped them penetrate salty environments, the researchers explained.

Scientists studied the Chinese softshell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis). These turtles are often found in brackish marshes and swamps. Fascinatingly, these reptiles dip their heads in puddles on dry land, despite being air breathers, relying primarily on their lungs for oxygen, making them unlikely to breathe underwater.

Some fish excrete urea, the main waste product in urine, through their gills. The researchers speculated that these turtles might excrete urea from their mouths when they dip their heads in water, since the reptiles have strange gill-like protrusions there.

Investigators bought softshell turtles from the local Chinatown in Singapore and measured how much urea the reptiles excreted in their urine by taping plastic tubes on their hindquarters. Surprisingly, the researchers discovered that the water the turtles were kept in contained more than 15 times the urea found in their urine.

The scientists then kept the turtles in drying boxes and gave them a puddle to dip their heads in. They found that the reptiles could submerge their heads under water for up to 100 minutes and excrete up to about 50 times more urea through their mouths than through their rear ends. Additionally, when the researchers injected the turtles with urea, they found that the levels of urea in the saliva were 250 times higher than in the blood. [Photos: The 10 Weirdest Animal Discoveries]

“It is widely accepted that the kidney is responsible for the excretion of urea in vertebrates other than fish,” said researcher Yuen Kwong Ip, a molecular physiologist at the National University of Singapore. “Contrary to this popular belief, our results suggest that the mouth may be a major route of urea excretion in softshell turtles.”

The scientists suspect that Chinese softshell turtles excrete urea through their mouths instead of their kidneys because of their salty environment.

“Softshell turtles are often found in brackish water or even in the ocean,” Ip told Live Science.

Fresh water must be drunk when peeing to wash out urea, but salt water is undrinkable. Instead, these turtles only need to rinse their mouths out with local water to avoid the problems associated with drinking salt water.

The scientists presented their findings online Oct. 11 in the Journal of Experimental Biology.

Follow LiveScience on Twitter @livescience. We are also on Facebook & Google+.

The main aim of this page is to enlighten you on some of the little things about turtles that some may or may not already know. I’ve learned a lot while working with them. Most of the information about ATP comes from my personal experience, with some additional information added by other experienced goalkeepers. If you have a different point of view about anything on this or any of the other sites, or have information that you think should be included, please email me your comments. The advice offered here is not the be-all and end-all of turtle care. I am only providing information that I have learned over the years through education, experience and dealing with other long term and dedicated keepers and breeders. A little further down I will dispel some of the commonly accepted rumors and hopefully give you a better insight into turtle keeping. If you’ve heard of common misconceptions that aren’t listed here, please email me so I can add them. Please read on, learn what you can and have fun with turtles! “What is the difference between a tortoise, a tortoise and a terrapin?” A turtle is any reptile that lives in a shell. A tortoise is a tortoise that lives on land but can go into the water to drink, cool off, or escape and avoid predators. A terrapin is a turtle that lives primarily in the water and generally only comes out of the water to lay eggs or sunbathe. “Do turtles bite?” Yes. One important thing to keep in mind: if it has a mouth, it can bite! If you choose to hand feed yours I would recommend doing so with tongs as some turtles may not aim as well as you would hope. “Are turtles mean?” Turtles are for the most part not aggressive towards humans. Most turtles are like people or other pets you have. They have their own personalities and temperaments. Some of us are aggressive if you pull them out of the water but docile in the water and try not to bite. Some of the others are very different. They’ll try to run when you remove them from the tank, but if you put your hand in the water… well, watch out. They think your fingers are chicken tenders! Turtles tend to accidentally bite each other, especially when trying to grab the same piece of food. Even the supposedly “wild” alligator snapping turtle. The alligator in the name came from his looks, not his temperament. Myths surround almost everything in the world today and turtles are no different. From the tales and legends of the old wives to modern day misconceptions about care and the turtles themselves. “If a turtle bites you, it won’t let go until it hears thunder.” As entertaining as this legend is, it is definitely false. If this myth were even remotely true, I would have several problems. “Turtles give you salmonella.” Yes and no. Owning or handling a turtle doesn’t automatically make you sick with salmonella or anything else, just like eating chicken, eggs, or pork puts you at risk for salmonella poisoning every time. People who suffer from turtle salmonella in general are people who don’t take proper care of their turtles and also have poor personal hygiene practices. It’s always a good idea to wash your hands after handling turtles or cleaning their habitats. You won’t use your hands to clean your cat’s litter box without washing your hands afterwards, so why clean the turtle’s home (where they eat and go to the bathroom) without washing your hands? Also, since turtles swim where they eat, drink, and use the bathroom, it makes sense to wash your hands afterwards. In addition, due to the immune system, it is recommended that turtles and their housing are not handled by young children, the elderly, or those with compromised immune systems. Zookeepers around the world have successfully kept and bred turtles for decades and never gotten sick. “It is illegal to own a turtle under 4 inches.” There are some states where it is illegal to buy a turtle and others where it is illegal to buy a turtle with a shell length less than 4 inches, but this includes buying and selling, not owning, a turtle. The only instance where it is illegal to own a turtle, or own more than a certain number of a given species, is if it is a protected species. It is not illegal to own or purchase a turtle with a shell length of less than 4 inches, unless it is a protected species. “Turtle urine causes brain damage in humans when it comes in contact with skin.” While this is medically incorrect, it would make sense in my case and explain a lot. “A turtle only grows to the size of its enclosure.” As you will learn later when researching ATP, you will learn why this is wrong. Turtles will continue to grow regardless, provided proper husbandry (feeding, temperatures, habitat, and health) is maintained. “Turtles can leave their shell.” The only time a turtle leaves its shell is when it’s dead. Remember that a turtle’s shell is nothing more than an outwardly visible (and often very attractive) oversized rib cage. “Turtles can eat pizza, chocolate and hot dogs.” Turtles can eat pizza, chocolate, and hot dogs. But just because they can doesn’t mean they should. I could be sitting here at my desk typing this and eating the computer graphics card that’s sitting on my desk, but it would do me no good and could have potentially serious consequences for my health. When people and animals eat things they shouldn’t, bad things can happen. “Baby turtles need shallow water because they can’t swim well.” Another common misconception. Baby turtles have the same ability to swim and survive in deeper water (depending on the species [ie even an adult mud turtle can’t survive in deep water – consult care sheets for each species]). Consider this…in the wild, unless baby turtles could survive in deep water, many predators would spot and eat them. They, like adults, use deep water for safety. Provided it is a species that accepts deep water, there is no problem keeping an adult hatchling of this species in a 55 or 75 gallon aquarium filled to the brim. Just make sure they can’t escape. “Turtles that have been kept in shallow water cannot swim and will drown if they are placed in deep water.” Turtles are naturally exceptional swimmers, provided it is a species that is actually aquatic and requires deep water (if in doubt, see care sheets). They do not take swimming lessons and do not forget how to swim. A turtle that has been poorly kept in shallow water for 10 years may take a few hours to adjust to the depth, but under no circumstances should a healthy turtle drown or have trouble adjusting. A little anatomy here Ok. The top of the shell is called the carapace while the bottom part is called the plastron. The part of the shell that connects these two is called the bridge. Pretty easy, right? OK. Well, the tank doesn’t have scales like we know scales. They have large sections called scutes. Scutes are made of kertain, much like our fingernails. The cloaca is an opening in the body located under the tail. It is through this opening that the tortoise performs faecal, urinary, and reproductive functions. Turtles CAN feel things coming into contact with their shell because they have nerve endings there, but they can’t feel pain because they don’t have those types of nerve endings. Why is this? I don’t have the slightest clue, but I’ve seen it in most research materials, so I suspect it’s true. Kinda hard to ask the turtle if something hurts. Carapace Plastron Continuing with the anatomy portion of this small block of information, we move on to the lungs. If you’ve ever heard a turtle hiss and wonder if that’s why they’re crazy…rest assured, they’re not crazy. You are scared. When we breathe, our chest expands and then contracts, drawing in and then releasing air. Well, a turtle’s breast can’t do that because of the hard plastron. Instead, their lungs inflate and take up space in their shell. So when they’re scared and have to pull their head and legs into their shell, they won’t fit all the way in because of the fully inflated lungs. What they do is expel the air in their lungs as quickly as possible so they have room for their limbs to fit within the safety of their hard shells. When this airflow exits their bodies, it makes a hissing sound, leading one to believe the turtle is detached and warning them to stay away. And, just a note for the record, no turtle (on land or otherwise) can get out of its shell and still be alive. If you see a turtle shell and there’s no turtle to be found, the poor creature is dead. They’re attached to its shell, which is actually part of its rib cage. The shell grows at the same rate as the rest of the turtle, so you rarely have to worry about the turtle growing too big for its shell. If the shell looks like it’s about to fall apart, it’s only growing; Discarding parts of the old with incoming segments from new. If the scales are shedding in large layers, or there are red and/or rough patches in scale areas, then there is a problem. Go to the vet. As the turtle grows, you will see a separation of the shields and a lighter area between them on the plastron. This is also normal. This area is also softer than the surrounding scutes. “Is my turtle a boy or a girl?” This is difficult to tell with most turtles until they are older. Males of all turtles have a longer, thicker tail, with the cloaca closer to the tip of the tail, while females have a smaller, thinner tail, with the opening closer to the main part of the body. In some of the more commonly kept turtles (sword turtles, some maps, painteds, cooters), males also have exceptionally long front claws; the females have smaller ones. Males of some species also show a concave or dented plastron. This is said to allow the male to better mount the female when mating. Adult females that have laid a clutch have a semi-flexible anal portion of the plastron. Males Females However, females are larger…sometimes 4 times larger…than males in most turtle species. And just be careful – if you have a male dog, maybe one day he will prove it to you. This is called fanning. This is perfectly normal, but sometimes this fanning can lead to health problems – especially if the roommates think it’s something edible and bite it. “How do you measure a turtle?” A turtle is measured as a straight line from the front of the shell to the back. This is called Straight Carapace Length (SCL). This is accomplished by using an imaginary line passing through or across the turtle. You should not walk along the crest of the carapace as in some species it is highly convex and will give you an inaccurate measurement. Imagine placing bookends and the front and back of the turtle and then measuring the distance between the bookends. Straight shell length “Does my turtle have salmonella?” Could be. But before you jump in at the deep end thinking your turtle is going to kill you or infect you with these bacteria, let’s look at a few things. ALL animals can transmit Salmonella. Yes. All of them. These include dogs, cats, humans, lizards and snakes. Even your sweet little pooch Rover could have it. It won’t jump out of the turtle and get you. The reason turtles get a bad rap when it comes to salmonella poisoning is due to ignorance coupled with poor personal hygiene. Zoo keepers in the 60’s and 70’s (when this was a problem and thus created the 4 inch law) didn’t keep their turtles in very hygienic conditions and didn’t protect themselves by washing their hands. Turtles were commonly kept in Turtle Bowls, which hobbyists have dubbed “Death Bowls”. The water was not filtered and was usually changed once a week or when the warden got tired of smelling the foul water. The turtles were left to live, swim and eat in the same water that they used the bathroom in. Then people would go about their day and not wash their hands – no wonder people got sick. That’s equivalent to having a dog and keeping him in a single room in your house all the time and letting him eat off the floor where he uses the bathroom… and then brush him once a week. This is just begging for all kinds of health issues. Turtle water is no different. Even if the water is filtered and you take proper care of your turtles, it’s always a good idea to wash your hands after interacting with them or their habitat. You wash your hands after brushing your dog or horse, so why not wash them after testing your turtle’s water or after putting your hands in the aquarium to adjust? I would also encourage washing your hands with a strong, antibacterial soap before touching them as well. You don’t want them to give you anything they might have, and you don’t want to give them anything you might have. Play it safe and play it smart. Children should not be allowed to touch the turtles and if allowed, please only do so under strict adult supervision and wash child’s hands IMMEDIATELY after touching them. Children are quick to put their hands in their mouths and this is a great way for bacteria to spread. Their immune system is still relatively weak and they can easily pick up germs – not just salmonella. Elderly people and those with compromised immune systems (such as AIDS and other immune system diseases) are also encouraged not to interact with reptiles. “Why 4 inches and is it illegal to own my baby turtle?” There are some reasons for the law that the turtle must be 4 inches or larger to be sold as a pet. Some of the reasons are far-fetched, but they were believed at the time. All based on salmonella poisoning. Back then, children were allowed to play with the little turtles that had hatched. Children are children and they do what children do – they put everything they play with in their mouths. Not the best idea, but kids are kids. So these little turtles fit snugly in the mouths of young children, helping to spread germs and bacteria. It seems that parents would rather blame the turtle for their child’s illness when they should have taken better care of their children and their turtles. Another reason is that before we understood Salmonella to be an important part of their gut bacteria it was assumed that by the time turtles reach 4 inches they have survived Salmonella and are therefore Salmonella free. We now know this is wrong. It is not illegal to OWN a turtle less than 4 inches in length; it is illegal to SELL a turtle less than 4 inches in length as a PET. Keyword… “pet”. Because of this, it’s legal to buy them online from breeders and retailers who support the “hobby,” as opposed to pet stores that sell the turtles as “pets.” There is a great debate in the courts and in the hobby of turtle keeping, and one that is likely to continue for years to come. You can read about this law here.

The Chinese softshell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) excretes urea, the waste product of urine, from its mouth, scientists report Oct. 11, 2012 in the Journal of Experimental Biology.

Softshell turtles from China can essentially expel urine from their mouths, researchers say.

This strange ability may have helped them penetrate salty environments, the researchers explained.

Scientists studied the Chinese softshell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis). These turtles are often found in brackish marshes and swamps. Fascinatingly, these reptiles dip their heads in puddles on dry land, despite being air breathers, relying primarily on their lungs for oxygen, making them unlikely to breathe underwater.

Some fish excrete urea, the main waste product in urine, through their gills. The researchers speculated that these turtles might excrete urea from their mouths when they dip their heads in water, since the reptiles have strange gill-like protrusions there.

Investigators bought softshell turtles from the local Chinatown in Singapore and measured how much urea the reptiles excreted in their urine by taping plastic tubes on their hindquarters. Surprisingly, the researchers discovered that the water the turtles were kept in contained more than 15 times the urea found in their urine.

The scientists then kept the turtles in drying boxes and gave them a puddle to dip their heads in. They found that the reptiles could submerge their heads under water for up to 100 minutes and excrete up to about 50 times more urea through their mouths than through their rear ends. Additionally, when the researchers injected the turtles with urea, they found that the levels of urea in the saliva were 250 times higher than in the blood. [Photos: The 10 Weirdest Animal Discoveries]

“It is widely accepted that the kidney is responsible for the excretion of urea in vertebrates other than fish,” said researcher Yuen Kwong Ip, a molecular physiologist at the National University of Singapore. “Contrary to this popular belief, our results suggest that the mouth may be a major route of urea excretion in softshell turtles.”

The scientists suspect that Chinese softshell turtles excrete urea through their mouths instead of their kidneys because of their salty environment.

“Softshell turtles are often found in brackish water or even in the ocean,” Ip told Live Science.

Fresh water must be drunk when peeing to wash out urea, but salt water is undrinkable. Instead, these turtles only need to rinse their mouths out with local water to avoid the problems associated with drinking salt water.

The scientists presented their findings online Oct. 11 in the Journal of Experimental Biology.

Follow LiveScience on Twitter @livescience. We are also on Facebook & Google+.