Other Turtle Discussion :: Do Turtle Bites Hurt?

[VelvetAlley]

Tough to find any threads that just say what they're about in the topic. So here's a start!

Sputnik enjoy's chasing my finger around his tank, and I was wondering (because I'm a wus) does it hurt when a turtle bites you?

Mine is under a year old, and getting bit doesn't bother me, cause my cat chews on my arm all the time, does anybody have experience with this? Input please!

[jenaero]

My res are 2 years old, about 6 inches each and when they bite it draws blood most times. And yes, it hurts.

[industrial_girl_2000]

For a baby turt (1 inch length) it doesn't hurt much....more like a pinch.

In my case, my 11-inch long RES's bite hurts like crazy. She latches on & as you struggle to get away, she just bites HARDER. It's a *severe* pinch, leaves a big bruise, but usually doesn't draw too much blood. It still usually sends me into swearing fits though. $#%@!!!!!!!!!!

[flutterby]

I don't think its something you want them learning to do when they're young and continuing it when their adults and can actually hurt you.

[Muirner]

My girls are probably 1.5" each, and to help them "catch" the food i'll let it stick to my finger in the water, usually takes a nip at the finger to relize that i'm not food but i'm holding it. It dosent hurt... yet.

[steve]

It used to be cute when they bit my fingers and I would let them do so. But now I would never let them do it intentionally.

[BullDog]

A long long time ago, in a galaxy far away... Wait, in this galaxy... Ralph was a couple years old and he got my finger, and it hurt like heck. I haven't given him the opportunity since

And what's with cats chewing on limbs? Mine does that too -.-'

[VelvetAlley]

Ha ha, thanks for the replies! I know it's a silly question, but better to learn from those who have experienced it.

My cat was born Aug 15'th this year, so he's...12 weeks old aprox. Got a male kitten this time around and he's just fiesty. I don't mind the gnawing but sometimes he draws blood. I even got an infection from him in my elbow that I ended up needing anti-biotics for. However, the answer came with a long tube sock I stuck a bunch of old clothes in, and placed some catnip at the top where the knot is. That's now his wrestle buddy, and I probably get bit half as much as I did.

[Hoooneylynn]

is there any way for them to bite like the tip of your "pinky" finger off??

[steve]

Some turts can do a lot of damage to people... like snappers (I wonder why they call them that?).

[BullDog]

My cat was born Aug 15'th this year, so he's...12 weeks old aprox. Got a male kitten this time around and he's just fiesty. I don't mind the gnawing but sometimes he draws blood. I even got an infection from him in my elbow that I ended up needing anti-biotics for. However, the answer came with a long tube sock I stuck a bunch of old clothes in, and placed some catnip at the top where the knot is. That's now his wrestle buddy, and I probably get bit half as much as I did.

Really? I've got a male cat too (~6 years old). A scar on my forearm that was three parallel scratchmarks from 3 years or so ago just faded this year. His favorite toy is also a sock I "made" for him when he was a kitten! I sewed some stuffing into it, tied a few strings off it, and he still loves it! (even though the strings are now chewed off). He drags it all over the house!

Sorry for the off-topic-ness ^_^;

[SpotsMama]

Does it hurt when a steel trap snaps shut on your finger! You bet it does!

[marisa]

If your turtle is small and nips your finger, the reaction you'll most likely have is surprise that he did that rather than real pain. If, however, he's larger and gets a soft area, the webbing between your thumb and forefinger, for example, he can break the skin. And it can hurt no matter where he grabs you.

[Muirner]

Ummm oww!! marisa the webbing between your fingers ouch... that's a bad spot to be bit.

[VelvetAlley]

Ummm oww!! marisa the webbing between your fingers ouch... that's a bad spot to be bit.

Just the spot my cat goes for.