How am I supposed to hold a red eared slider?

Question

every time I try to hold mine, it keeps pushing my fingers to

get my fingers off it.

So how should I hold it?

Other stuff:

O yeah, can I play with it?

Or should I just leave it alone?

Answer 1

Grab it with your thumb and middle finger on the sides of its shell. Also, It may just not be used to you yet. Try maybe offering food from your hand. After a while it will get used to you. Once it gets used to you it's OK to play but not often.

Answer 2

hold it with both hands so the bottom is supported otherwise you can end up accidentally dropping it when it kicks at you. If it starts hissing at you it means it is annoyed so leave it alone then. Just make sure you wash your hands afterward. This website hs a lot of info to help you http://www.redearslider.com/index.html

Answer 3

Great care should be taken when handling RES. They may be slippery due to their aquatic habitat, resist being held, vocally hiss and empty their bowels. They have sharp claws, strong limbs and a strong bite that can add difficulty during handling. It is recommended that you apply both hands when picking up, moving and holding a slider. Support them beneath their arms, legs and body to provide a more secure and comfortable feeling. The rapid moving of limbs in the air is an indication of stress and should be minimized. Using both hands also provides extra assurance against accidents and falls.

Hands should be clean before handling and washed after handling RES and their environment. This is especially important for children, the sick and for those who handle food or other pets. A liquid soap dispenser is fairly convenient for this purpose. Areas that come into contact with your RES should be kept clean and sanitized. Keeping your turtle environment and feeding material in the best possible condition goes a long way in the minimization of bacteria and salmonella contamination.

Comment: Any pet should be absolutely restricted from a kitchen or any food preparation area. Avoid using the kitchen sink when cleaning your RES and its items. I would also refrain from using a bathtub or bathroom sink. If you do utilize these areas, make certain they are properly disinfected and sanitized after use.

Anyone who might handle your turtle should be notified of the proper ways to do so. Improper handling can cause distress, which may cause the turtle to release salmonella. It is not recommended for children to handle or take care of turtles. Turtles are not necessarily a “hold and pet” kind of animal and it is important that children understand that. They should always be supervised when around the turtle and they can be taught a great lesson in responsibility.

Just leave the turtle alone. But you can play with it at times. Like letting it walk around your house when it is older and cannot be hurt as easily as the baby turtles can be.

Answer 4

In my opinion, it is best to handle your turtle as little as possible. No matter how used to you he is, handling him still causes him stress...and we want to avoid that. Stress is bad for us and it's bad for our animals as well.

On the occasions that you need to handle your turtle...pick him up with both hands on the opposite sides of his shell...with your fingers on his underside and your thumbs on his upper side. Be prepared to be tickled and scratched by his claws. Don't get too close to his head. RES' have very long and flexible necks and can whip around and bite you...and trust me...it HURTS! When I need to handle my turtle, I put a bucket right next to his tank and quickly place him in it so there is less of a chance of dropping him or getting bit or really scratched up.

I suppose it would be ok to provide him with a safe, secure place to run around. But honestly...he'd probably be happier being left alone in his tank. I let my turtle run around when I clean his tank (I don't want to put my hands in there...he's a biter)...and all he does is look for a place to hide...and as soon as he is back in his tank, he hides.

One other thing...turtles do NOT hiss out of aggression as some have stated. In order for turtles to go into their shells, their lungs must be deflated. When a turtle is stressed or frightened...he goes into his shell as quickly as possible. The air that is in his lungs is expelled quickly, resulting in a hissing sound.

Answer 5

just on the sides of the shell if its small thatway or in your palm.any more r.e.s. questions?visit my site its-  turtlecare.synthasite.com

Answer 6

How are you holding it? I think it's from the opposite ends of the sides of the shell I think. You can play with it once in awhile, just not too much.