salmonella

[Stefan-A]

Something like 90% of all reptiles carry salmonella, but the risk is severely exaggerated. Anyway, it's best to just not eat their poo.

[RZL36]

Well said, but I've been growing so fond of it.

I think turtles carry a greater risk b/c they are in the water. The water becomes contaminated and the bacteria reproduce on the turtle itself. However, I really don't know. Not into microbiology.

[Charlet_2007]

thats where you clean the water once a day if not twice lol do not let it get stagnit (spelling?)

no the reason its illegal to keep turtles in soo many states is because they may be native to that state not because of salmonella.. if that was true then no pet store would sell them anywhere... like here in Missouri its illegal buy/sell red ear sliders under 4 inches.. over 4 inches you sell all day long.. because there native here...

Also just like alligators.. you don't have to have a permit to have one here in Missouri.. I live 10 mins from the Arkansas border but, in Arkansas its illegal to have them.. Just depends on the state and its laws...

[RZL36]

In New Jersey, the reason is salmonella.

http://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/documents/njac_823.pdf

[Charlet_2007]

yeah but dogs can have rabies just as well as retiles haveing salmonella but the percentage if retials haveing salmonella is VERRRRRRRRY low.. but you don't see people complaining about the rabies dogs have.. reptiles have a bad rep. anyways its always them that make people sick.. not there own stupidity to buying a reptile then not taking care of it properly and then them blaming the reptile because they get sick...

best way to handle this don't get a reptile if you think your going to contract something from it..

[drache]

Something like 90% of all reptiles carry salmonella, but the risk is severely exaggerated. Anyway, it's best to just not eat their poo.

yeah
precisely my thinking

and
in the article in question they were referring to a state where they prohibit the sale of turtles under 4" carapace length, specifically because the small ones are the ones likely to end up in children's mouths