How to Get Rid of Salmonella in Turtles?
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If you’ve got a pet turtle (or plan to get one), there’s something you seriously need to know—Salmonella is a real thing. And no, it’s not just a chicken problem. Turtles can carry it too, and while they stay completely fine, you might not.
In this guide, I’ll break down what Salmonella is, how it spreads, who’s most at risk, and what you can actually do to stay safe. It’s not about scaring you—it’s about helping you keep both your turtle and your family healthy.
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What is Salmonella?
Salmonella is a type of bacteria. it was first discovered by Daniel Edward Salmon, the bacteria was named after him. There are many types of bacteria. Salmonella is a type of zoonosis bacteria that can be transferred from animals to humans which causes disease.
Most reptiles carry salmonella. Turtles carry them on their outer skin. Though the bacteria is already on the turtle’s body, it doesn’t hurt the turtle. When any human comes in contact with the turtle, salmonella transfers itself to the human body and cause severe sickness.
Salmonella can be so serious that, in 2009 it caused the death of a 4-year-old baby.
Where does Salmonella come from?
Salmonella can come to human bodies from many sources. The most common sources are eggs, chicken as well as meat.
Some other sources are reptiles, turtles, dogs, cattle, pigs, ducks and flies, cockroaches, hamsters, rabbits etc. Most of the animals can carry this bacteria on their body.
Also, some peculiar sources of salmonella are from amphibians such as frogs, newts, salamanders and from habitats of reptiles as well as amphibians. These habitats will include tanks, cages, aquariums etc.
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Can You Remove Salmonella from a Turtle?
Short answer—no. There’s no method right now that can actually remove salmonella from a reptile’s body. You can’t treat it like a typical infection because the turtle isn’t “sick” with it. It just carries it.
Why Antibiotics Don’t Work
People often think antibiotics are the fix. But with salmonella in turtles, they don’t work—and can even make things worse. The bacteria live deep in the gut lining, where antibiotics can’t reach.
It’s Part of Their Natural System
Salmonella acts like a regular part of a turtle’s microflora. It’s built into their system. Trying to remove it would be like trying to remove the gut itself.
Antibiotics Can Backfire
Giving a turtle antibiotics can mess up its healthy bacteria. When that happens, salmonella might grow even more. Plus, using antibiotics like that can create resistant strains. Not good—for the turtle or for humans.
So What’s the Solution?
There isn’t a cure. The only smart move is prevention. You treat the turtle as if it has salmonella all the time, and you follow proper hygiene every time you handle it.
Symptoms of Salmonella infection:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Stomach pain
These symptoms usually show up within 72 hours after contact with the bacteria. They can last anywhere from 2 to 7 days.
If you’re feeling any of these, don’t wait around. Go get checked at a hospital. Delaying treatment can turn something manageable into something serious.
Who is more likely to get salmonella from turtles?
Anyone can get infected. But some people are more likely to get seriously sick from it. That includes:
- Babies and toddlers
- Elderly people
- People with weak immune systems
- Pregnant women
- Anyone with illnesses like diabetes, cancer, or HIV
As Vic Boddie from the FDA put it:
“All reptiles and amphibians have the potential to be carriers of Salmonella. And if children come in contact with small turtles, they run the risk of becoming very ill.”
Don’t Judge by Appearances
Here’s the scary part—turtles that carry salmonella look totally healthy. They don’t act sick. That’s why it’s safer to assume your turtle has salmonella, even if it seems fine. Better safe than sorry.
How Does It Get to Humans?
1. Not washing hands
You touch your turtle, then touch your mouth—or eat something—without washing your hands. Boom. That’s the most common way people get infected.
2. Cleaning the tank in the kitchen
Many owners wash the tank, filter, or basking area in the kitchen sink. This spreads bacteria to areas where food is prepared. Bad idea. It puts everyone in the house at risk.
3. Letting turtles roam freely
If your turtle walks around the house, it can spread bacteria on the floor, carpet, tabletops—you name it. And salmonella can survive on those surfaces for a long time.
Keep things clean. And keep your turtle out of places where you cook, eat, or relax.
How to prevent Salmonella infection?
Wash Your Hands Every Time
This one step alone can cut the risk by 90%. Always wash your hands well with soap after handling your turtle or touching anything from its tank.
Keep the Enclosure Clean
Salmonella loves a dirty tank. Clean the filter, basking area, and tank regularly. Do water changes every week. A clean setup makes it harder for bacteria to spread.
Don’t Buy Tiny Turtles
Turtles under 4 inches in size are illegal to sell in the U.S. because they pose a higher health risk. If the turtle is smaller than a playing card, don’t get it.
Be Extra Careful Around High-Risk People
If someone in your house is pregnant, elderly, or has a weak immune system, limit their contact with reptiles. In some cases, it’s better not to keep turtles at all.
No Free-Roaming Indoors
Don’t let your turtle wander around the house—especially not in the kitchen or dining room. It’s just asking for contamination.
Clean Safely With Bleach
Use bleach to clean the tank and all accessories, but do it outside or in the bathroom—never in the kitchen. Mix 1 tablespoon of unscented bleach per gallon of water, and rinse everything well. Never mix bleach with anything else, especially ammonia.
Gloves Are a Good Idea
When cleaning your turtle’s enclosure, wear gloves. It gives you one more layer of safety—simple but smart.
Do all turtles carry Salmonella?
Not all turtles carry Salmonella—but most of them do. Especially aquatic turtles. It’s nearly impossible to tell just by looking.
Even if your turtle looks clean and healthy, it could still be carrying the bacteria. That’s why experts recommend assuming every turtle has Salmonella and always following proper hygiene when handling them. It’s the safest approach.
How do you know if a turtle has salmonella?
Unfortunately, there is no definite way to tell if a turtle has salmonella or not. Salmonella bacteria lives inside the turtle. So, even if a single sample turns out to be negative, that doesn’t imply the turtle is free from salmonella.
Till now there hasn’t been any method or procedure that can effectively say if a turtle has salmonella or not.
Labs can test a turtle’s stool or skin for Salmonella, but the results aren’t always reliable. Turtles don’t shed the bacteria consistently, so even if a test comes back negative, the turtle might still carry it.
That’s why experts recommend assuming all turtles carry Salmonella and taking proper precautions.
How to choose the right turtle?
Skip the Tiny Ones
Never buy a turtle smaller than 4 inches. A quick trick—compare it to a playing card. If it’s shorter than that, walk away.
It Might Be Illegal
In the U.S., it’s actually illegal to sell turtles under 4 inches. This rule came in back in 1975 to stop salmonella outbreaks. If someone’s selling baby turtles, they’re breaking the law. Other countries may have different rules, but always check first.
Don’t Take One from the Wild
Leave wild turtles where they belong. Taking them from nature stresses the animal, and they often don’t do well in captivity. Plus, it messes with the ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do only turtles carry Salmonella?
Nope. Turtles aren’t the only ones. Rodents, cats, dogs—even birds and reptiles—can carry it too.
What happens if you swallow Salmonella?
Most of the time, it passes through without causing harm. But if you do get infected, symptoms usually hit in 2–3 days. Diarrhea is the most common. If it lasts more than 48 hours, go see a doctor.
Do all reptiles carry Salmonella?
Almost all of them. A study by the Los Angeles Department of Health found that 9 out of 10 reptiles carry Salmonella.
How long can Salmonella live?
Surprisingly long. On surfaces, it can survive for weeks—even years—if the area isn’t cleaned properly.
Interesting Facts:
- A recent study showed that nearly 60% plants that process chicken are infected with salmonella
- Though salmonella is a curable disease, it can turn out to be fatal in 1% of cases.
- Marijuana can also carry salmonella
- Till now, approximately 2300 types of salmonella are found.
- Among total salmonella infected people, 36% are children below 5 years old and 13% are below a year. It shows, children are more vulnerable to salmonella.
About Author
Muntaseer Rahman started keeping pet turtles back in 2013. He also owns the largest Turtle & Tortoise Facebook community in Bangladesh. These days he is mostly active on Facebook.
