Can a pet turtle harm a 3 year old?

Question

Can a pet turtle harm a 3 year old?

Answer 1

Are you a teen having children?

Yes, so can a spoon; fork; crayon; cat; dog; gerbil; hot stove; toothpick; child molester, match; cigarette lighter; school teacher; campfire; grill; camp counsillor/church decon, and falling from a tree.  The list is ENDLESS!  A tick bite could kill your child.  Riding in a car is just asking for it...

The question is not what is harmful, but "where is Mom?"

If you wish to have a turtle your child can observe but not touch; then that's doable.  Set up your fascinating water turtle, and place good locks on the tank top for those moments you have to answer the phone; change the channel/CD; answer the door, or go to the bathroom.

This is YOUR pet - NOT theirs.  Three years of age is teddy bear stage.

I did herp viewing/shows in my home, while my daughter dashed about in her diapers!  The turtles were never a threat, and she grew up without a bite/scar/stitches.  She DID suffer a scratch or two, when she got older, and insisted on holding them.

Easy.

If the question is: "Should a 3 yr. old be able to touch/handle a pet turtle?"  The answer is an emphatic no, especially for a land dwelling tortoise (even with supervision - I would vote no).

These creatures tend to be docile, but can easily mistake a jelly smeared finger as a mulberry.  Larger turtles/tortoises can easy bite off a finger.

So, specifically, exactly: "What are you asking?"

I would think common sense would supply the answer to this question.

There is always the risk of Salmonella bacteria.  Once your child is old enough to "pet" the turtle as you hold it for her; it should be paramount that you thoroughly clean her hands after the encounter.

The turtle will be there as the child grows (a plus), and you have time to safeguard her from it, and educate her (we're talking YEARS here).

Talk to your pediatrician.  Talk to your vet.  Informed is forewarned and forearmed.  USE COMMON SENSE, and be responsible.

It's NOT toxic waste - it's just a turtle!

Here's a little "off the wall" for you.  Once upon a time, many years ago, I raised rabbits on a wholesale scale.  I ran a herd of 360 breeding animals (talking big business here).  I parted with a not-for-sale, first place ribbon winning, and very expensive outstanding dwarf male pedigree mini lop to that woman who brought me a terrified child.

This child was missing a finger from the nail nuckle up.  A dwarf rabbit had bitten it off, and swallowed it.  Someone talked this woman into buying him a Hotot dwarf bunny for a pet (these cute small rabbits are noted for their aggression).  The child was rightly terrified of rabbits.

That was not a bad mom, or a bad rabbit.  It was an UNINFORMED Mother, and a greedy animal breeder.

It took the mother several visits before he "came around," and to my chargrin - he picked one of my best bucks.  So - I gave the animal to the child.

That child grew to love that animal, and overcome his fear, and later, he raised and showed rabbits.

Was the rabbit at fault?  Was the Mom?

Common sense goes only so far.  Research is required before ANYone obtains a pet, and incorporates it into the home/family.

Fire-eaters will tell you that it's not dangerous (they tend to do research, and take safety precautions).

Point made?

"Where is Mom?"

I hope this has been helpful.

Answer 2

Reptiles such as turtles, snakes and lizards  harbor Salmonella bacteria.  The bacteria cause salmonellosis, an infection of the human intestinal tract that usually manifests itself as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever and sometimes vomiting. In rare cases, it can be life- threatening. A 3 year old will probably use his hands around his face and mouth quite a bit and that can cause them to catch the bacteria. I would wait until your child is older and knows the proper precautions. Most child centers, day cares, and schools around here do not have reptiles in their classrooms anymore because of the increase of children getting sick. They started a nature pond instead. That way the kids could see the animals without worry of spreading the bacteria.

Answer 3

turtles especially if they're hatchlings.. under 4 inches carry salmonella, so NO child of any age should be in contact with them unless they're old enough to understand that the turtles may have a disease, and to wash their hands as soon as they put the turtle down. Dont get me wrong though turtles are wonderful pets, for an adult, but children dont really understand what happens with certain animals, thats of course why they have parents. But to answer your question, as long as they arent violent animals then i dont see why they would hurt a 3yr old unless they felt threatened\. Hope i helped.

Answer 4

I'm not sure about biting, but if the 3 year old is to handle it be sure to make them wash their hands before and after as turtles are common in carrying salmonella.

Answer 5

I'm 26+ I got bitten by a turtle today......trying to feed it T_T

Answer 6

As sarahall said... If the turtle did that depending on the turtle in question it could definitly cut the finger completely off :O how about a nice fish instead? :)

Answer 7

look it up online to see what it can do

Answer 8

A BIG YES!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 9

When I was in 5th grade, we had a pet turtle in our classroom. He latched onto one kid's finger and wouldn't let go for 45 minutes, no matter what we did. (And the kid was just trying to pick it up to show it to a kid from another classroom.) The teacher finally had to shove a pen inside its mouth, so that it hit the back of its throat, and scared it into letting go. They'll definitely bite your 3-year-old if he tries to poke at it the way little kids do.

Answer 10

Reptiles have been known to carry salmonella. I'd definitely avoid this kind of pet unless the child is responsible enough to remember to always wash their hands after handling the pet, and avoid touching their eyes and putting their hands in their mouth. Definitely not something I would involve a 3 year old with.

Answer 11

Some of the bacteria on it could be quite harmful to a learning three year old, I'd avoid it.

Answer 12

MAYBE