If you’re thinking about getting a red eared slider as a pet, one of the first questions you probably have is – do they bite? As a potential new red eared slider owner, you want to make sure these cute little turtles won’t unexpectedly nip you when you go to handle them.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Yes, red eared sliders can and do bite, although most bites do not break skin and are not aggressive. Biting is more common in wild red eared sliders than pets. Pet sliders usually only bite due to fear or mistaken identity.
In this comprehensive article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about red eared slider bites including how hard they can bite, why they bite, whether bites are dangerous, and how to avoid getting bitten.
How Hard Can Red Eared Sliders Bite?
Bites Usually Don’t Break Skin
Red eared sliders generally do not have very strong bite force, so their bites usually do not break human skin. When they do attempt to bite, it is more startling than painful. Their small jaws and dull teeth are not well designed to bite through thicker human skin and tissue.
According to herpetological experts, the bite force measured for most red eared sliders ranges between 50 to 90 Newtons. To give some perspective, the average adult human has a bite force between 300 to 700 Newtons. So a turtle’s bite power pales in comparison.
While an adult red eared slider can sometimes break very thin skin, most bites do not penetrate deep enough to draw blood. Their bites may leave faint teeth indentations or very minor scratches on human skin, but nothing serious or deep enough to be an open wound.
Bites Can Be Painful
Although a bite from a red eared slider is unlikely to cause bleeding or lasting injury, their bites can occasionally be somewhat painful due to nerve sensitivity. Areas with thinner skin and concentrated nerve endings, like the hand or fingers, may experience more initial discomfort if bitten by a slider turtle.
The level of pain caused by a bite depends on factors like bite location, individual pain tolerance, and turtle age/size. Larger adult slider turtles can generate more bite force than younger juveniles. And bites to highly sensitive areas generally hurt more.
While the bites should not cause excruciating or long-lasting pain, they may result in mild to moderate discomfort for a brief period. Proper first-aid like washing the area with soap and water is usually sufficient treatment for bite pain management.
Bites Have Low Risk of Infection
Because red eared slider bites rarely break skin, they present very little risk of transmitting infections from the turtle’s mouth flora to humans. Their mouths do contain bacteria, but without an open wound for bacteria to penetrate, the chance of infection is slim.
That being said, it is still smart to thoroughly cleanse any turtle bite with warm soapy water as a precaution. Topical antibiotic ointment can also be applied. Monitor the bite area for any signs of infection like redness, swelling, discharge, etc. over the next several days.
Prompt medical care should be sought if worrisome infection symptoms manifest.
As an additional safeguard against potential bacteria exposure from a turtle bite, be sure the turtle is kept healthy with proper husbandry to reduce abnormal oral bacteria overgrowth. Maintaining clean habitat water and offering a balanced diet supports good turtle health.
Why Do Red Eared Sliders Bite?
Mistaken Identity
Red eared sliders have poor eyesight, so they may accidentally bite humans if they mistake fingers or toes for food. Their natural instinct is to bite first and figure things out later. So always approach your slider slowly and cautiously so you don’t startle it.
Fear or Defense
Sliders tend to get scared easily, especially around new people or environments. Loud noises, fast movements, or even handling them the wrong way can trigger a fear response. They may bite out of self-defense if they feel threatened.
It’s important to move slowly and speak softly when interacting with your turtle.
Territory and Dominance
Red eared sliders can be quite territorial, especially mature males. They view their enclosures as their domain and you as an intruder. Biting is their way of defending their turf and establishing dominance. This behavior is perfectly normal for the species.
To avoid bites, only handle your slider when necessary and don’t invade its habitat too frequently.
During Mating
The mating season lasts from early spring through mid-summer. Hormones run high during this time. Males may bite females prior to mating, or afterwards if she resists his advances. In some cases, the male may even bite the female’s front limbs to securely grip her for coupling.
As unpleasant as it seems, this is all perfectly natural mating behavior for the species.
Are Red Eared Slider Bites Dangerous?
When it comes to the potential dangers of a red eared slider bite, the risks are generally quite low for severe damage, but there are still important considerations to keep in mind.
Low Risk of Severe Damage
The good news is that a red eared slider is unlikely to be able to inflict critical or life-threatening injuries on a human with its bite. Their jaw structures are not designed to tear thick skin or tissue.
At most, a defensive nip may leave a minor surface wound similar to a small scrape or light puncture.
Possible Transfer of Salmonella
However, red eared sliders and other turtles do potentially carry Salmonella bacteria that could lead to gastrointestinal illness if transmitted to humans. According to the CDC, around 11% of all reptile-associated salmonellosis outbreaks are linked to turtles.
To reduce infection risks, thoroughly wash hands after any contact with your turtle or its habitat. Supervise careful handwashing for children as well.
Watch for Signs of Infection
While severe turtle bite injuries are very uncommon, it is still smart to clean any wound thoroughly. Watch closely for potential signs of infection which could include:
- Redness, swelling, oozing around bite
- Spreading red streaks from wound
- Fever, chills, dizziness
- Pus or foul-smelling discharge
Seek prompt medical care if any of these develop to receive antibiotics if an infection has set in. With appropriate wound care and cleaning, most minor nips or scrapes from a red eared slider should heal normally within a week or so.
How to Avoid Getting Bitten
Nobody wants to get chomped on by their red-eared slider turtle! While bites are rare if you handle your pet properly, they can occur. Follow these tips to reduce the chances of getting an unpleasant nip.
Proper Handling Techniques
Approach your red-eared slider slowly and calmly instead of quickly grabbing them. Movements that seem threatening may trigger a defensive reaction. Gently scoop or guide them into your hand rather than snatching at them.
Support their body fully rather than clutching onto their shell or limbs. Dropping from a height is frightening for a red-eared slider. Maintaining secure support helps prevent panic biting if they start to slip.
Avoid handling red-eared sliders right after waking them up or while they are sleeping/basking. Interrupting their rest to pick them up can make them irritated and prone to bite.
Get Them Used to Being Handled
Frequent gentle handling sessions help red-eared sliders become comfortable with their owners. But build trust slowly over multiple interactions instead of forcing too much too fast.
Start with short 5-10 minute handling sessions. Let them walk/crawl on your hands to get them accustomed to your touch and scent. Over time, gradually work up to longer periods of direct interaction.
If they seem extremely anxious, agitated, or attempt to bite, cut the session short. End interactions on a calm note rather than escalating stress levels further. With consistent positive reinforcement, red-eared sliders normally become docile and receptive to handling.
Conclusion
While red eared slider turtles can and do bite, their small size and weak jaws mean these bites are not usually dangerous or cause for concern. Bites generally happen due to fear, mistaken identity, or territorial behavior rather than true aggression.
With proper handling techniques and time for your turtle to adjust to captivity and become comfortable with you, bites should become very rare occurrences. Given their cute faces and engaging personalities, a little caution is worth it to enjoy these unique reptiles as pets.
