I'll bet you didn't know that lizards and turtles can carry harmful bacteria called Salmonella.
I
love reptiles and I bet you do too (or you probably would not be
reading this article!). You may have noticed that reptiles are becoming
more and more popular as family pets. Reptiles such as turtles,
iguanas, snakes, geckos, horned toads, and chameleons can make great
pets because they are fascinating, quiet, don't require daily
feeding/walking, and can be kept in a cage with relatively very little
fuss. However, there is a cautionary note folks need to be aware of
when taking on a reptile for a pet. Reptiles sometimes carry a bacteria
called Salmonella that can cause serious illness in people.
Although
many people think of salmonellosis as an illness caused by contaminated
food, it can also be caught by handling a pet reptile or contact with
its environment. The trick is that you can't tell by looking at a
lizard, snake, or a turtle if it is carrying
Salmonella. You see,
Salmonella occurs naturally in many reptiles and the bacteria doesn't usually make the animals sick.
If
you have ever had about it, you most likely won't ever forget it.
Salmonellosis is a serious infection of the gastrointestinal tract.
Diarrhea is the most common symptom of Salmonella infection,
but other symptoms such as fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting can
also occur. It can sometimes be extremely serious and even fatal for
young children, the elderly, and persons with weak immune systems.
Salmonellosis is not to be taken lightly. For that reason, families
with children aged 5 years or younger or persons with weak immune
systems should think twice about having pet reptiles.
Bacteria, including Salmonella,
are easily passed from pet reptiles to people. Research by the Center
for Disease Control shows that a person who handles reptiles can easily
pass germs to others because bacteria are able to cling to skin,
clothing and other surfaces. To reduce the chances of getting sick with
salmonellosis by handling reptiles, here are some tips to follow as a
reptile pet owner:
- Wash hands with soap and water immediately after handling a reptile; Launder any clothing the reptile might have touched
- Do not allow reptiles to roam the house freely
- Keep reptiles out of the kitchen
- Use soap or a disinfectant to thoroughly clean any surfaces that have been in contact with reptiles.
Another
thing to keep in mind is that it is illegal in the United States to
sell or distribute turtles with shells that measure less than 4 inches
in length. This size was chosen because some small children treat
smaller turtles as toys and put them in their mouths. Yuk! Despite this
ban, these small turtles can still be found in some pet stores.
Of
course, children will still catch wild turtles and lizards and bring
them home to keep as pets, which is what kids are supposed to do. Just
keep in mind, whether store-bought or caught in a friend's backyard, a
reptile can carry Salmonella and might not be the best choice
of a pet for your family, especially if there are young children or
persons with compromised immune systems in the household.
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