In this video, I show you how to pick up a turtle. It's pretty easy, but there are a couple precautions you should take to help keep you and your turtle safe.
How do you pick up a turtle?
To pick up a turtle, you should approach them from the back. Gently slide your four finger onto the bottom of their shell, and then put your thumb on the top of their shell.
While you should have a firm grip so they don't slide away, don't squeeze too hard as it can cause damage to their shell. Don't lift them up too fast, and gently place them back into the water when you are done.
If you are trying to handle a big turtle such as a snapping turtle, you will probably need two hands to pick them up. You should put each hand at the bottom corner of their shell, and then lift up.
Below are a couple more tips for how to handle a turtle:
1) Make sure to wash your hands with warm water before you touch your turtle. They may get sick from germs that are on your hand.
2) Try to keep them as level as possible, as it is difficult for turtles to breath when they are not flat on their stomach, especially if they are flipped onto their back.
3) While it usually works for small turtles, avoid picking up turtles from the side of their shell. Their front legs will start to kick you, which may cause you to drop them. Their legs also have sharp nails which can cut your hand.
Do turtles like to be handled?
While it depends on the species, turtles generally don't like to be picked up because it makes them feel vulnerable. It is also very unnatural for them. That being said, there are certainly some pet turtles that love being picked up and handled by their owners, so it really just depends.
I hope this video helped explain to you how to pick up a turtle. If you have any questions about how to handle a turtle, let me know down in the comments.
#turtle #turtlecare
6 июн 2024
