If the turtle repeatedly throws its head up in the air with its mouth open, it is trying to let you know that it does not like you touching its head.

As an alternative to petting a turtle’s shell with your fingers, you can also gently rub a toothbrush or other soft-bristled brush along the top of its shell.

Turtles will urinate when you pick them up, so use caution when putting them on your body.

Turtles associate their human keepers with food, so try rewarding your turtle with a treat when it allows you to pet it. [4] X Research source

Salmonella can’t be washed or rinsed off the turtle. Never leave a child to handle a turtle unattended.

Try to avoid picking up or handling the turtle unless necessary. When you do need to pick a smaller turtle up, place your open palm under its plastron (or bottom shell/ belly) and make sure its legs can touch your hand. In the wild, turtles don’t spend much, if any, of their time off of the ground. Having your hand underneath the turtle should make it more comfortable. [6] X Research source Always lift turtles up from the back and not the front. Turtles are unpredictable and lifting the turtle from the front will give it an opportunity to bite you. Turtles may urinate when being picked up, which is yet another reason why you should wear gloves when handling them. [7] X Research source Don’t place turtles on the edges of high surfaces. They are not always aware of their environment and may walk right off the edge, injuring themselves. [8] X Research source As a general rule, it is not wise to touch a turtle’s legs or claws. Remember, turtle shells are not invincible. Some turtles have soft shells that can be easily scratched or damaged, leading to fungal infections. Even hard shelled turtles can sustain damage to or break their shells- so be careful. [9] X Research source

Turtles need real sunlight, not just heat lamps or artificial sunlight. A lack of sunlight can lead to metabolic bone disease, which essentially disintegrates a turtle’s bones.

Hissing Sitting motionless with the mouth open Withdrawing into the shell Snapping or biting gestures