How to Tame a Turtle

Turtles are docile animals and often live in colonies in the wild. This makes them much more social than some other reptiles. Turtles tend to bond with their owners. They are naturally cautious and fearful, however, and taming a turtle requires patience and and sensitivity.

Things You'll Need

Fruit
Freeze-dried brine shrimp

Instructions

- 1
  Approach your turtle slowly. Turtles can be skittish and reactive. Water turtles may hide at the bottom of their aquariums and box turtles are likely to retreat into their shells. Approach your turtle's enclosure so that your turtle can see you coming.
- 2
  Handle your turtle properly. Do not pick your turtle up from behind or by the top of its shell. This is how predators grab turtles, so this kind of handling is likely to make a turtle more skittish. Make sure your turtle can see your hand before you pick it up.
- 3
  Feed your turtle by hand. Train the turtle to associate you with food as turtles tend to be calm around food sources. Give your turtle a special treat every time you approach its cage. Hand-feed brine shrimp to water turtles; brightly colored fruits like raspberries and strawberries to box turtles. Hold a small piece of food in front of your turtle's mouth and wait for it to take the food. If your turtle does not take the food, drop it just in front of your turtle's mouth.
- 4
  Encourage your turtle to crawl into your hand. Place a treat in the center of your palm and wait for your turtle to crawl to you. Pick it up calmly and smoothly after it walks into your hand. Give your turtle another treat by hand after you have picked it up.
- 5
  Take your turtle outside daily. Turtles need sunlight to metabolize calcium. Allow your turtle the freedom to walk around outside so the turtle eventually will associate you with trips outside.
- 6
  Avoid petting the top of your turtle's head. Turtles generally do not like having their heads touched and will instinctively retreat into their shells.