Other Turtle Discussion :: How to handle hatchlings...?

[Smssms01]

Hello again : )

Regarding my two hatchlings, I was wondering how I should handle them. I move them out of their main tank to feed them and have been placing them in my cupped hands. I've heard that letting their legs dangle makes them nervous. However, I was wondering if they'd bite me while in my hands ( so far, I haven't seen an attempt - just their little heads poking out ::gushes:: )

Thanks!

[SpotsMama]

You could put a cloth or small towel over one hand and put the turtle on it and grab his/her shell with the fingers of your other hand to keep him/her from running away. Hopefully that would protect your hand in case of turtle bite.

[steve]

With RES, you have to be prepared for an unexpected bite. It doesn't happen often (with most captive RES) and its been ages since I was bitten. You're right that their limbs should not dangle and I use the palm of my hand to support the bottom and the other to support the top of the shell. Obviously they can be slippery and they are sometimes stronger than you'd expect.

If I need to carry them several feet, I pretty much do what SpotsMama described. The towel also helps against the scratching

[marisa]

I've never been bitten by a turtle when I've carried them in my hands---some will retreat into the shell, other's stick their heads out and look down, seemly fascinated with the distance between the floor and where they are (especially my RES). With the exception of my RES (too big) I cup them in one hand and place the other hand over them to keep them from making any sudden moves. If you were to get nipped, it would most likely be when you initially went to pick them up.

[industrial_girl_2000]

I just make sure I grasp them firmly enough so that if they wriggle around in my hands, they can't get away. Sometimes I have to carry my hatchling with one hand, sometimes I have both hands accessible. I have to clean my hatchling's tank, no way around that, so the turtle will eventually adjust to being handled. I always handle gently, but firmly. The important thing is to not drop them. If it means the legs dangle a bit, so be it. It is for their own safety & being dropped would be way more stressful & life-threatening than just having the legs dangle.

Don't worry about being bitten by a hatchling....they aren't all that strong yet & it honestly doesn't hurt or break skin.