Sea turtles are not entirely harmless creatures, although they are in serious need of protection.
Human activity poses the greatest danger to both endangered species of sea turtles, like leatherbacks, and threatened species, like diamondback terrapins. Attention is most often focused on the harm we cause sea turtles and their habitats and on efforts to reverse that harm. But more interaction with sea turtles does reveal some risks, however minimal, that people should be aware of when encountering a sea turtle in the wild---or on a plate.
Beware the Bite
Sea turtles bite. They have sharp beaks and extremely strong jaws. A sea turtle bite is unlikely, but it can hurt. It could cause a serious bruise or break the skin, and larger turtle bites can break bones. Leatherback sea turtles have been documented at more than 2,000 pounds but even a more modest-sized turtle will have powerful jaws that should be avoided.
Toxic Turtles
Sea turtles absorb toxins and pollution that accumulate in their bodies over time. This is a human-made hazard that comes full circle, but it is a compelling argument for avoiding consumption of sea turtle meat. The turtles take in all manner of ocean pollutants, from garbage to pesticides to toxic metals, like cadmium and mercury. These toxins are harmful to the turtles and equally as bad for any person who eats them. This is another reason to preserve sea turtles and serves as a reminder that human waste is polluting the oceans for all marine life.
Sea Turtles Can Make You Sick
Sea turtles almost invariably carry salmonella. Almost all turtles, marine or terrestrial, carry the salmonella bacteria, which doesn't seem to affect the turtles but can cause severe illness and even death in humans. Be advised that handling sea turtles warrants washing up afterwards. In addition, hatchlings have tested positive for tuberculosis, and there are several dangerous parasites that have been found in stranded sea turtles.
Risks in Rescues
Rescuers working in the Gulf of Mexico oil spill have reported bad skin reactions and burns from contact with the oil and the Centers for Disease Control has cautioned everyone, not just at-risk people, to avoid breathing the fumes or getting the contaminants on the skin. So, rescuing sea turtles from a spill carries with it the chance of direct encounters with carcinogenic and caustic materials. In other rescues, sea turtles that are hooked or found injured by fishermen and boaters must be handled with a strict protocol to remove hooks and restore the turtles unharmed to the ocean. Due to the size and weight of the turtles, it is important to work carefully to minimize additional harm to the animals and to prevent being crushed or capsized by an extremely large, injured sea turtle.
Tags: carry salmonella, have been