Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know lots of reptiles such as turtles carry salmonella and you have to be careful having one around kids.

Are beardies particularly bad for being handled by kids who dont wash thier hands AFTER holding them?

Is it possible? Yes. Is it likely? No. Kids should wash their hands any time they touch an animal of any kind. BD's are safe just make sure the kids don't kiss or lick your dragons or eat the poo and they should be OK.

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1.0 Bearded Dragon - Telamon
0.1 House Cat - St. Stephen

1 Saltwater Aquarium
1 Freshwater Aquarium

in fact i just spent over 1500 dollars on tests etc at the equine hospital to find that my horses re occuring colic is due to salmonella, either from the water at the barn or from another horse. A good rule to follow is to wash your hands after each and every animal you handle, before putting your hands in your mouth, before handling food and before handing other animals, its good to be on the safe side.
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reiko
photos

Okay, here's the scoop! My vet told me that as far as reptiles are concerned, turtles are #1 for carrying salmonella. Toads & frogs are #2(because of all the bacteria in their enclosure from moisture. The GREATEST RISK OF ALL comes from handling raw poultry(such as chicken or turkey). If hands are thoroughly washed with a good anti-bacterial soap after handling any animal or cage furnishings, including food/water bowls,etc; your chance of contracting salmonella is almost 0%. The exception is with people that already have health issues such as HIV. He said that kissing your pet not only transfers bacteria from your reptile to you, but also transfers your bacteria to your pet.
Hope this helps,
Cricket

I keep a bottle of that one step hand sanitizer right beside my dragons tank. Don't know how well it works against salmonella but it gives me a little piece of mind.