Red eared slider rumor?

Question

I've read on the internet in some places, that Salmonella from reptiles is mostly caused by red eared sliders, and some turtles online stores stopped selling them.(I think this rumor started becase in the 70's everyone had RES and they didn't really know about Salmonella, and lots of people got it.. thats why you can only buy turtles 4 inches or over.) Anyway, would you agree the red eared sliders are the leading reptile culprit? I dissagree, I think it could happen to anyone who doesn't wash their hands good after holding a reptile.

Answer 1

your correct..always wash after handling a reptile..

I have 2 sliders that are 36 YRS OLD!!!!

After they reach 4" in shell size they say thet lose the disease..WASH after handling

Answer 2

You are right. RESs were picked as the leading cause of salmonellosis only because they were the most popular turtles. The bacteria can be carried by chicks, eggs, other reptiles, and tomatoes -- or is it peppers, now?

Answer 3

all reptiles carry salmonella it is only when an owner does not wash their hands after handling them that it becomes a problem, but if they don't have basic hygiene with their pets i doubt they are very hygienic in their house so they can't blame their turtles when they come down with stomach bugs,, so i agree with you it is not down to the turtles it is down to the person not washing their hands,

Answer 4

You are absolutely right! Red Ear Sliders are definitely NOT the leading culprit. Any reptile could get it. And you have a 95% chance of getting it if you don't wash your hands after touching a reptile, and it dosen't matter if it's a turtle, snake or any other reptile for that matter. Hope this helps!

Answer 5

This is a lie. Every reptile has the potential to carry salmonella. It is very rare that you do so, however, that does not mean that you shouldn't wash your hands after handling one.Salmonella itself, is usually caught after people handle the faeces of an animal. I have never heard of anyone catching anything from a Turtle. If any reptile is to blame, it would most probably be certain tortoises, for example, Hermann's and Red- Footed tortoises. This is why the pet store and the animal itself must posess a certificate on purchase. This is because of the amount of people catching the disease during the reptile craze of the 70s and 80s.

Don't believe everything that you here. Don't l;isten to rumours in the future x*x

Answer 6

that is true to a point, it is all turtles under 4 inches that are prohibited for sale unless its for a classroom (you  have to have a teachers certificate to buy one) or for scientific research.

here is a link on the fda web site

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cd...