From sea turtles to land turtles, to pond turtles and more — there are hundreds of different species of turtle (and tortoise) found all around the globe. Whether raised in captivity or living in the wild, turtles are known to lead lengthy lives. Many species have been known to live more than 100 years in age.
So, when this creature wanders into a potentially unsafe area; such as an apartment complex or busy street, or simply into an area where a turtle was unexpected — many people feel inclined to “help” the turtle find it’s way back to the nearest source of water. While people generally have good intentions of helping the animal, it is often mishandled. Mishandling a turtle can seriously injure and in some cases, cause death.
How to Properly Handle a Turtle
It is extremely important to know proper handling techniques for turtles, prior to relocating the animal.
Do not ever pick up a turtle by the tail. By doing so, the weight of the shell pulls on the bone structure and dislocates bones throughout the tail. This is extremely painful for the turtle. In some cases, larger turtles with even heavier shells can have bones dislocated in their spinal cord. This can cause different types of paralysis, which often leads to death.
If the turtle flips over onto its back, it’s extremely important to slowly turn the turtle back over in the same direction. This is because turning a turtle in a full, 360 degree circle can cause twisting of the bones, organs and tissues of the turtle. This can be extremely painful. When rotating the turtle into the upright position, be sure to move the turtle slowly, allowing him time to readjust himself within his shell.
Turtle Handling Techniques
When picking up a turtle, always use light, gentle pressure with both hands. There should be one hand on either side of the shell, above the back legs.
If a turtle absolutely must be relocated, find a container that is large enough to accommodate the turtle. Then, line the bottom of the container with wet paper towel or wet paper. This will help prevent the turtle from moving around too much in an effort to escape, which will also help prevent any other injuries from occurring.
Turtles in the Wild
In most cases, a turtle will find its own way home. Animals that live in the wild, generally do not need the help of a person.
However, when the intruding turtle is known to be more aggressive (such as a snapper turtle,) it may be become a safety issue. Some people feel it’s necessary to remove the turtle from the area because of young children, or even for the safety of the turtle so as to protect it from others who may not be as compassionate toward animals.
If unable to properly handle the turtle, it is best to contact animal control or enlist the help of someone with experience in animal handling.
However, it is usually best to allow the turtle to go on its way without any interference. It is often easier to temporarily move children to a safer area to play until the turtle has moved on.
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