It is not illegal to own or to buy a turtle under a shell length of 4 inches, again, unless it is a protected species. "Turtle urine causes brain damage in humans when it comes in contact with your skin."
Is turtle pee toxic to humans?
Additionally, since turtles swim where they eat, drink and use the bathroom, it stands to reason that you should wash your hands afterwards. “Turtle urine causes brain damage in humans when it comes in contact with your skin.”
Why is turtle pee toxic?
In this challenging environment, their bodies break down protein and produce toxic ammonia, packaging it as urea. The load is so great that they cannot just drink water and flush it out because their kidneys would be overwhelmed by the salts.
Why do turtles pee on people?
This will happen because your turtle will think that you are a predator and that you are trying to eat it. As your turtle gets more accustomed to you it will stop peeing on your hand, but until then this is one of the few occasions when you can see your turtle pee.
Is tortoise pee toxic?
Soaking tortoises are important because the normal waste product for protein metabolism is ammonia. Tortoises convert this ammonia to uric acid, which is less toxic to the bladder wall and lets them hold water in their bladder for long periods of time.
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