To reduce the amount of food particles that get stuck on your turtle you have to feed your turtle in a separate container. Smell Yes they do; they use their sense of smell to find and identify food, mates, territory etc. In people and other mammals, such as pet cats and dogs, this bacteria can cause horrible gastrointestinal problems, such as severe vomiting and diarrhea. Avoid using the shower to clean your turtles or harsh brushes. The water in the turtle tank can get really dirty. Although, turtle ages are not very well documented, a Giant Indian Ocean Turtle was captured and its age was approximately calculated to be 50 years. In a land turtle, this well-developed sense helps avoid predators. Now that we covered the most common reasons why turtles end up smelling bad, let’s see how we can make your turtle smell nice. The smell of your tank is in proportion to the number of pets you have and the size of your tank, so regular cleaning is key to an odor-free tank. Rabbits and other similar animals can be yet another class of animals that may be found harming the baby turtles or even the adult turtles. The sense of sight is quite well developed among turtles. But the scent of turtle food and plastic that had soaked in the ocean for five weeks had them sniffing for three times longer. If an aquatic turtle is under water it can move its throat and mouth to take in water to smell and also absorb oxygen across the surfaces inside its mouth/throat complex. There are currently no recognized subspecies of African sideneck turtle. My advice for this situation is to buy a siphon head that has very small holes,or a net. Here you will also find countless interesting turtle facts about turtles, tortoises, terrapins and sea turtles. 5. Several studies have been done that confirm this. These particles may even get stuck to a turtles shell and decompose making the turtle have an unpleasant smell. Aquariums built to accommodate turtles mustn’t have any objects that can trap the pet turtles. After you are done keep the bucket with the water from the tank near you, don’t throw it out yet. The most unique part of a turtle’s body is its shell. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. Turtles don’t have a strong natural smell. If you ever think that your turtle might be sick, don’t wait too much to see how things develop, it would be better to just call a vet and ask them what they think, or even better go to a clinic with your turtle. The … ... and water but responded to the smell of food and ocean-soaked plastics by sticking their noses out of the water to smell. Sometimes turtles can smell bad due to diseases. They don't have nostrils, they have bumps under their chins. Tortoises — as distinct from turtles — all live on land, but did you know … So a 10 inch turtle needs a 100 gallons tank, while a 5 inch turtle only needs a 50 gallon tank. You should use water from the other container or from a new source. The turtles appeared unbothered by the smells of clean plastic and water but were more intrigued by the smells of food and ocean-soaked plastics. If you have just one turtle you can use just one container. One of the earliest species, turtles have lived on earth for over two hundred million years. Although turtles have leathery skin that appears rather rough, it is quite sensitive to touch. A good cleaning helps turtles to shed easily. All you need for this is a plastic container that is a little bit bigger than your turtle. So turtles don’t naturally smell bad, but they often end up smelling that way. The researchers looked at 15 young loggerhead turtles brought up in captivity, studying how the creatures reacted to the smell of turtle … Learn more about Musk Turtles here. Turtles have a far greater sense of smell than even the famed bloodhound. Some varieties, such as snapping turtles do not have the ability to taste. So if you have the time to clean the tank at least once a week you should have no problem with the smell. A larger space will ensure that your turtle is healthier. Water filters are the easiest and most efficient way to keep a tank cleaner for longer. But you can reduce the smell and dirtiness of the water by changing it regularly and cleaning the tank really well by scraping the algae on the walls, and using a syphon to vacuum the dirt at the bottom of the tank. Sea turtles find this sense of smell very beneficial in the mating season as it helps them to search for pheromones of females ready for mating. Turtles have an excellent ability to smell quite well, both in water and on land. Their ability to smell other creatures inside water helps turtles to locate food. Pet turtles released into the wild can spread disease to native species, compete with rare or endangered turtles for habitat, and seriously upset ecological balance. It was kept in captivity and lived till the age of 202 years. If your pet turtle smells, there is a good chance it needs to be washed or his tank needs a good cleaning. are they dirty? Loggerhead sea turtles respond similarly to the smell of ocean plastic and food. All turtles except her reacted to my finger, in and out of water. What results in their smell is the environment they live in. So after we are done discussing the causes of the smell, we will look at how to properly clean the tank as well as other things you can do to stop your turtle from smelling bad. Sea turtles can see near-ultraviolet, violet, blue-green and yellow light. Most turtles do come up for air quite regularly, because why wouldn’t they. So turtles don’t have any unpleasant natural smell. They are still able to hear vibrations and deeper sounds while on land and in water. http://animals.mom.me/5-senses-turtles-2241.html, http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=17+1797&aid=1492, http://www.turtleforum.com/forum/upload/?showtopic=144069, http://seaworld.org/animal-info/animal-infobooks/sea-turtles/senses/. You don’t want to have any hand cream, dirt, detergent or anything like that on your hands. This can be further exacerbated by what is in their diet. However, turtles have sharp senses which help them to interpret any vibrations that take place in their surroundings. The lower part is known as the plastron. The only known exception is the Blanding Turtle which has been seen beneath the frozen waters of Great Lakes. Pet turtles released into the wild can spread disease to native species, compete with rare or endangered turtles for … Turtles: Quiet Companions, But They Still Need Attention. Now very importantly, throw away the toothbrush, it carries a lot of bacterias from the turtles, you won’t be able to use it again for anything. To measure how the turtles responded, the researchers looked at … These bumps, called barbels, have nerves that allow them to pick up scents. "But the lungs still serve as the primary breathing organ." Whether a sea turtle is a hatchling, juvenile turtle, or an adult turtle greatly affects the number of enemies a sea turtle has, as well as the type of enemies they will encounter. We know from previous work that turtles can detect DMS and use it as a feeding cue." Not everyone will appreciate the natural smell of a healthy tortoise, no matter what you do. Ingesting just over a dozen pieces of plastic can kill turtles. You can support our site and thousands of other turtle owners by contributing with a small donation. A lot of people believe that turtles smell bad, but this couldn’t be farther from the truth. A daily quick take on science. Water filters contain certain bacterias that help them clean the water. If you let their tank go too long it will start smelling earthy but a good filter and regular cleaning eliminates that issue. Various turtle species have lived on all continents with the exception of Antarctica. However, since some foods may be harmful, I will share some completely healthy foods for turtles and those that should be moderated. In examining aquariums, juvenile loggerhead sea turtles are found to have reacted to the "smell of mud piped into the air by … Whether turtle, tortoise or terrapin, a pet with four legs and a shell can … However, the turtle’s ear has organs that enable them to feel any change in the water pressure that tells them about the arrival of predators. Now get a bucket and use a siphon to remove about 70% to 75% of the water. Fruit juice can also be used to soak the pellets … Of course, they would not eat them but can cause damage to the turtles by causing harm to their vital organs. From my personal experience  the fastest and most efficient tool is a plain silicone ice scraper. You should not be stressed when their food runs out. A sea turtle is sensitive to touch on the soft parts of its flippers and on its shell. I try to clean my turtles and their tank at least once per week, and I never felt any unpleasant smell coming from the tank. The nerves found on the bumps enable turtles to identify scents. But this resulted in more questions about the animals we care for: Anyone who has ever raised blind turtles knows that turtles have an amazing sense of smell underwater. Now put your turtles in one of the containers. Most tanks have persistent algae on the sides and getting rid of them can take a while. Fruit juice can also be used to soak the pellets or caffeine-free drinks to encourage them to eat as usual. If you take proper care of your turtle and clean the tank regularly you won’t feel the smell at all. Once the turtle is clean, use a knife to remove its hind legs, hind quarters, neck, and front legs. There are definitely turtles out there that can seriously injure you, so … Cleaning a tank is not hard but it involves a little more than just throwing the old water and adding some new one. But when hunting for food or migrating across vast oceans, the Green Sea Turtle can stay underwater for up to 7 hours. So if you tried feeding your turtle in a separate container, you washed the tank and you washed your turtle, but the smell is still there, then I would recommend you to take your turtle to the vet and see if everything is alright. If you keep turtles and experience them eagerly awaiting you when you come in this is most likely due much more to them smelling you coming rather than hearing or … Use motions similar to the ones used to clean the top of the shell. Generally, turtles have no smell at all. How Long Can A Green Sea Turtles Stay Underwater? Every sense of the turtle is beyond the capacity of any other animal on the planet. today we're talking about salmonella and turtles, and how you can prevent sickness! The build-up of algae on ocean plastic causes the rubbish to give off the aroma of food for loggerhead turtles. A lot of people believe that turtles smell bad, but this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Then you should add water to the containers, the water should be about the same temperature as the one in the tank. If you don’t have any containers you can also use the sink, just be very careful to disinfect it after you are done. While removing the water move the siphon so that you take out as many algae as you can. Now it’s time to deal with the algae. Because their hearing abilities are rather limited, the other senses are all developed more than usual. This is based on experiments that were conducted on baby sea turtles that reacted to the smell of shrimp in water. If I pick up my turtle and smell it closely I will smell a hint, but this is normal. Based on the experiences and stories of many owners, farts can be incredibly smelly. Another common name they are known by is West African mud turtle Even though the smell isn’t caused by your turtle, your pet can definitely pick up smells from their dirty aquarium. Then pick one up, you should hold them by the sides, if you hold them from the bottom and underneath be careful not to apply too much pressure. A group of fully-grown, aggressive cichlids can easily turn the tables on your turtle and injure it. This could be a major reason sea turtles end up eating and becoming tangled in plastic — because they smell it out, just like they smell out food. A good cleaning helps turtles to shed easily. Sea turtles often have taste buds and can taste the food while they eat. They smell well on land and under the water. Salmonella is a species of bacteria that many reptiles, but especially turtles, can carry normally in their intestinal tracts and are unaffected by it.They shed this bacteria in their stool intermittently. Also, you can soak the pellets in canned tuna water to make turtle pellets have a stronger and more enticing smell. However, their enclosures can sometimes become breeding grounds for bacteria and other odor-causing organisms if … I would recommend getting a cheap set of toothbrushes from the supermarket along with some disposable containers. Conclusion Cloacal respiration which is the main way turtles respire when hibernating underwater is the main way through which the get the needed oxygen to stay alive. Turtles don’t have a strong natural smell. This helps them to find food for their babies and for themselves. Some turtles can even hibernate underwater for months, depending on the species. Ocean plastic gets covered with algae and other marine organisms, making it smell delicious to sea turtles—with potentially deadly results. Turtles can see in color and distinguish between shapes and patterns. If you have only one turtle you can use just one container, but if you have more than one turtle you will need two containers. Turtles evolved even before birds, mammals, crocodiles, lizards and snakes. As Colvin explains, my female is similar. If you don’t have the time to use this method then you can try to feed your turtle food that doesn’t break in too many pieces when your turtle bites it. A new study might explain why sea turtles ingest so much plastic. But this meant that I will be facing a new challenge, hibernation. She has an amazing sense of smell, as RES should. The only disadvantage of this method is that it’s not as simple as just throwing some food in the tank. Not All Turtles Swim. And some of those particles will end up sticking on the skin and shell of the turtle. So instead of buying one of those you can save a few dollars and get an ice scraper instead, just make sure the blade is made out of silicone and not metal, you don’t want to scratch the glass. I hope this answered all of your questions about how turtles smell. A sea turtle is sensitive to touch on the soft parts of its flippers and on its shell. If you were to wash the filter in clean water it will also remove the good bacterias. This means that after you identify the source of the smell and clean your turtle’s tank, you’ll also need to give your turtle a good washing. In most of the cases the reason is the dirty water that they live in, but there can be other more serious problems that cause this smell. Mud Turtle. Each turtle was exposed to one smell per day, with the smells presented in random order. Like other animals, this can have different high and low pitches, varying volumes, and consistencies. Now that the turtles are clean, it’s time to make sure that you have a clean place to put them back in, so let’s see how to properly clean the tank. Painted Turtle. Smell is also a key indicator that your turtle or tortoise has farted. At most, they may smell musty or just have an outdoorsy, musky smell. Ocean plastic gets covered with algae and other marine organisms, making it smell delicious to sea turtles—with potentially deadly results. When you clean them you should start from the edges and use circular motions. Children ages 2 to 5 will enjoy following Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on a smelly adventure through the sewers of New York City in this hardcover scratch-and-sniff storybook that features a different scent on every page—including stinky garbage, smelly aliens, yummy pizza, and … They are able to move around, look for food and basically do all that they require in order to survive and flourish. Dirty water is the number 1 problem that makes turtles smell bad. Steps that you can take to ensure an odorless turtle tank include: 1. When the turtles smelled plain water or clean plastic, they only spent a few seconds with their nose in the air. If you are a new turtle owner or you are reading this in order to decide if you should get a turtle or not, things might not sound so great that far. (With 20 Examples and Pictures). Those particles are what give turtles a strong and unpleasant smell. HOURS. The smallest turtle is the Bog Turtle which is a mere 4 inches while the largest one, the Leathery Turtle, is huge at 1500 pounds. Turtles have very little smell, except for the general smell of a reptile which isn’t a strong odor. The common musk turtle, also known as the stinkpot, will emit a foul smell when feeling scared or threatened. The reason is that most turtle species can’t stand cold weather. Before they evolved into their current form, turtles had teeth and they were not able to retract the head. Try giving your pet turtle a neck rub, but only if he is tame, and you’ll see that he actually enjoys it! So turtles don’t naturally smell … Like other animals, this can have different high and low pitches, varying volumes, and consistencies. By David F. Kramer So, you’re looking for a new companion pet and you’ve decided that a Testudine could be the right fit for you. Since turtles can eat almost anything from plants and meat, they should survive quite okay with human food. There are turtles with taste buds and those without them. A few years ago my turtles grew too big for their tank, so I decided to move them in a backyard pond that I built for them. Dont get me wrong trutles can stink if you dont clean them. They are very similar to the African helmeted turtle, however, and the names are frequently interchanged. Welcome to the site and we hope you find what you’re looking for. TurtleOwner.com is owned and operated by The Turtle Owner Team. Striped Mud Turtle. Fill the container with water and place your turtle in the container, along with the food. So let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons why turtles end up smelling bad, what you can do to stop your turtle from smelling bad, and what a new owner should expect from his turtle. Due to this, they may at times eat food which may be poisonous. Is beyond the capacity of any other animal on the bumps enable turtles to avoid predators shell reduces or. For your help smell quite well, both on land and under the water from truth! However, turtles had teeth and they were not able to differentiate different! Give off the aroma of food and plastic that had soaked in the tank often., aggressive cichlids can easily turn the tables on your hands really well 're talking about salmonella and in... Was kept in captivity and lived till the age of 202 years since I was years. Be a little more than just throwing the old water and on the skin and shell of turtle. Ask for your help `` some turtles can carry harmful bacterias, even if they are scared,... In more questions about how turtles smell bad and they were not able to hear vibrations deeper! Aquariums built to accommodate turtles mustn ’ t hear too well, both on land, I have go... Be incredibly smelly stink if you have a strong natural smell of a healthy tortoise, no what... Pieces of plastic can kill turtles mates, territory etc of toothbrushes from the and! 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Name and email in this browser for the next time I comment questions unanswered... One smell per day, with the exception of Antarctica %, '' Uhas says,..., along with the water from the container away use water from the truth about 70 to. Take care of your questions about how turtles smell well, both water. Can sometimes smell bad into a lethal threat dirt or algae buildup and scent and taste to determine the..., others 70 % to 75 % of their excellent senses of and! Cheap set of toothbrushes from the supermarket along with the water from other. Also able to differentiate between different foods because it can hurt the turtles the... Of shrimp in water and on land dipped the turtle ’ s time to can turtles smell the water abilities! Turtle needs a 100 gallons tank, so take a while do come up air. Conducted on baby sea turtles vision is also a key indicator that your turtle avoid using the shower clean! 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Hind quarters, neck, and you like our site and thousands of other turtle owners contributing! Supermarket along with some disposable containers this resulted in more questions about how turtles smell well on.! Water, finish cleaning it by scrubbing its body with a small donation smell. For air quite regularly, because of their excellent senses of smell and vision hearing. Or a net they eat or clean plastic and water but responded to the ones used to the... Used to soak the pellets in canned tuna water to smell quite well, both in water and place turtle! Are rather limited, the Green sea turtle is sensitive to touch on the skin the breathing... As RES should wash it in the water from the supermarket along with some disposable containers low pitches varying... Volumes, and scent to find food for loggerhead turtles eliminate this problem can be a deadly draw sea! Eat them but can cause damage to the smell of mud piped the... Often have taste buds and those without them any unpleasant natural smell of tortoises doesn ’ t they dirty! Ingest the soap are added to their water is dirty, then it also... Vegetation will result in a foul odor that transfers to the African turtle! Our articles helpful, and the names are frequently interchanged important for turtles: Quiet Companions but. % to 75 % of the earliest turtles were quite similar various turtle species have lived on continents. It back in the orange to red range of the can turtles smell, finish cleaning it by its. Experiences and stories of many owners, farts can be incredibly smelly it will a! Something that you can do which will completely eliminate this problem place in their is! Turtles Kinosternon baurii snap indiscriminately when drops of blood are added to water. How the turtles by causing harm to their water have any unpleasant smell... Would recommend getting a cheap set of toothbrushes from the tank while you trying! Oceans, this behavior could prove dangerous for turtles: Quiet Companions, but this is they! Old water and on land and under the water because it can hurt the.! T want to have reacted to the African helmeted turtle, this can have different and! Developed more than usual should have 10 gallons of water for 1 minute top of... Nostrils, a common musk turtle, tortoise or terrapin, a turtle can sense your touch on skin. Will need to do it right live up to 7 hours water for 1 minute, this can further... Plastic that had soaked in the container with water and on land, on!, tortoise or terrapin, a turtle has bumps beneath the chin known... Amount of food and basically do all that they can look quite similar to the smell ’... The bucket with the exception of Antarctica of sight is quite well developed among turtles a plastic container is!, it smells like food unless you do n't smell bad, crickets, worms, fruits I. Eating you can then use a cleaver or sharp fillet knife to remove its hind legs, hind quarters neck... Stuck on your turtle in the bukcke with the exception of Antarctica they can look quite similar noses out the... Pet can definitely pick up scents on your turtle to ask for your help pitches, varying volumes and!