{"id":139091,"date":"2022-07-11T15:23:13","date_gmt":"2022-07-11T15:23:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-safe-to-eat-a-turtle-2\/"},"modified":"2022-07-11T15:23:13","modified_gmt":"2022-07-11T15:23:13","slug":"is-it-safe-to-eat-a-turtle-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-safe-to-eat-a-turtle-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Is it safe to eat a turtle?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_17 counter-hierarchy counter-decimal ez-toc-grey\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"display: none;\"><i class=\"ez-toc-glyphicon ez-toc-icon-toggle\"><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1\"><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-safe-to-eat-a-turtle-2\/#Is_it_safe_to_eat_a_turtle\" title=\"Is it safe to eat a turtle?\">Is it safe to eat a turtle?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-safe-to-eat-a-turtle-2\/#What_kind_of_turtles_can_you_eat\" title=\"What kind of turtles can you eat?\">What kind of turtles can you eat?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-safe-to-eat-a-turtle-2\/#Can_eating_turtle_make_you_sick\" title=\"Can eating turtle make you sick?\">Can eating turtle make you sick?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-safe-to-eat-a-turtle-2\/#Can_turtles_be_eaten_by_humans\" title=\"Can turtles be eaten by humans?\">Can turtles be eaten by humans?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-safe-to-eat-a-turtle-2\/#Is_a_turtle_safe_to_eat\" title=\"Is a turtle safe to eat?\">Is a turtle safe to eat?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-safe-to-eat-a-turtle-2\/#What_happens_if_you_eat_a_turtle\" title=\"What happens if you eat a turtle?\">What happens if you eat a turtle?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-safe-to-eat-a-turtle-2\/#Is_it_safe_to_eat_snapping_turtle\" title=\"Is it safe to eat snapping turtle?\">Is it safe to eat snapping turtle?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-safe-to-eat-a-turtle-2\/#Can_you_eat_all_types_of_turtles\" title=\"Can you eat all types of turtles?\">Can you eat all types of turtles?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-safe-to-eat-a-turtle-2\/#Are_turtles_safe_to_eat\" title=\"Are turtles safe to eat?\">Are turtles safe to eat?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-safe-to-eat-a-turtle-2\/#Is_it_legal_to_eat_turtles_in_the_US\" title=\"Is it legal to eat turtles in the US?\">Is it legal to eat turtles in the US?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-safe-to-eat-a-turtle-2\/#Is_snapping_turtle_safe_to_eat\" title=\"Is snapping turtle safe to eat?\">Is snapping turtle safe to eat?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-safe-to-eat-a-turtle-2\/#Can_you_get_sick_from_eating_a_turtle\" title=\"Can you get sick from eating a turtle?\">Can you get sick from eating a turtle?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-safe-to-eat-a-turtle-2\/#What_happens_if_you_eat_turtle\" title=\"What happens if you eat turtle?\">What happens if you eat turtle?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-safe-to-eat-a-turtle-2\/#Is_it_safe_to_eat_turtles\" title=\"Is it safe to eat turtles?\">Is it safe to eat turtles?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-safe-to-eat-a-turtle-2\/#What_diseases_can_you_get_from_eating_turtles\" title=\"What diseases can you get from eating turtles?\">What diseases can you get from eating turtles?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-safe-to-eat-a-turtle-2\/#Is_it_illegal_to_eat_a_turtle\" title=\"Is it illegal to eat a turtle?\">Is it illegal to eat a turtle?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-safe-to-eat-a-turtle-2\/#Is_turtle_good_to_eat\" title=\"Is turtle good to eat?\">Is turtle good to eat?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-safe-to-eat-a-turtle-2\/#Is_it_safe_to_eat_turtle\" title=\"Is it safe to eat turtle?\">Is it safe to eat turtle?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-safe-to-eat-a-turtle-2\/#Can_humans_eat_turtle_meat\" title=\"Can humans eat turtle meat?\">Can humans eat turtle meat?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-safe-to-eat-a-turtle-2\/#Can_you_get_sick_from_eating_turtle\" title=\"Can you get sick from eating turtle?\">Can you get sick from eating turtle?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-safe-to-eat-a-turtle-2\/#What_type_of_turtles_can_you_eat\" title=\"What type of turtles can you eat?\">What type of turtles can you eat?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-safe-to-eat-a-turtle-2\/#Is_it_okay_to_eat_a_turtle\" title=\"Is it okay to eat a turtle?\">Is it okay to eat a turtle?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-safe-to-eat-a-turtle-2\/#Can_turtle_meat_make_you_sick\" title=\"Can turtle meat make you sick?\">Can turtle meat make you sick?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-safe-to-eat-a-turtle-2\/#Can_you_eat_a_turtle_shell\" title=\"Can you eat a turtle shell?\">Can you eat a turtle shell?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/is-it-safe-to-eat-a-turtle-2\/#Can_I_eat_a_wild_turtle\" title=\"Can I eat a wild turtle?\">Can I eat a wild turtle?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_it_safe_to_eat_a_turtle\"><\/span>Is it safe to eat a turtle?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Affected turtles appear healthy and do not exhibit signs of illness, but <b>human poisoning can occur if the turtle meat is cooked, eaten raw or boiled in soup, and all parts of the turtle are potentially toxic.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_kind_of_turtles_can_you_eat\"><\/span>What kind of turtles can you eat?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Snapping turtles and sea turtles are the most commonly eaten turtles. While turtles are a part of some regional cuisines, including the spicy symphony of flavors found in southern Louisiana, they are not considered a mainstream entree. For this reason, if you are going to cook a turtle, be selective.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_eating_turtle_make_you_sick\"><\/span>Can eating turtle make you sick?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>This is the conclusion of a study published in the International Journal of Food Microbiology, which shows that <b>people can catch certain diseases (trichinosis, pentastomiasis, gnathostomiasis and sparganosis) by eating the meat of reptiles such as crocodiles, turtles, lizards or snakes.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_turtles_be_eaten_by_humans\"><\/span>Can turtles be eaten by humans?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Do people eat turtles? <b>Yes, they do but the consumption of turtles is not as popular as it used to be. Regardless, in many places around the world such as southeast Asia in places such as Singapore and China, turtle soup is a delicacy.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_a_turtle_safe_to_eat\"><\/span>Is a turtle safe to eat?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Turtles accumulate contaminants in their fat, organs, and skin. So, if you choose to eat turtles from Texas waters, we recommend <b>removing and discarding all skin, fat, eggs, and organs. This will reduce your risk of contaminant exposure. Save only the muscle meat from the legs and tail for eating.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_happens_if_you_eat_a_turtle\"><\/span>What happens if you eat a turtle?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Yes, you can eat turtle. Although they are technically a reptile, turtles are considered a delicacy in some parts of the world and are considered safe to eat. They are a good source of protein and minerals, and <b>their meat is low in fat<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_it_safe_to_eat_snapping_turtle\"><\/span>Is it safe to eat snapping turtle?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Whether you pick them up, or catch them while fishing, <b>snapping turtles are good eating. While tasty, they can be a bit of a chore to clean. This is the method we use, and it only takes a few minutes per turtle to get them ready for your favorite recipe.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_you_eat_all_types_of_turtles\"><\/span>Can you eat all types of turtles?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>The soft-shelled varieties are highly prized, but the hard shelled varieties are valued as well. All are good for the iconic dish, turtle soup, but the snapper is the most highly prized, and is easily found in most ponds or streams in North America.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_turtles_safe_to_eat\"><\/span>Are turtles safe to eat?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>These creatures are <b>an unsafe food choice as they carry several illness-causing chemicals such as toxins, heavy metals, and other environmental contaminants. A turtle meal could quickly come back to haunt a person with drastic consequences requiring immediate medical attention.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_it_legal_to_eat_turtles_in_the_US\"><\/span>Is it legal to eat turtles in the US?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>They cannot be legally consumed. Turtles can bioaccumulate contaminants at levels that could be a potential human health concern. Turtles accumulate contaminants in their fat, organs, and skin.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_snapping_turtle_safe_to_eat\"><\/span>Is snapping turtle safe to eat?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Whether you pick them up, or catch them while fishing, <b>snapping turtles are good eating. While tasty, they can be a bit of a chore to clean. This is the method we use, and it only takes a few minutes per turtle to get them ready for your favorite recipe.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_you_get_sick_from_eating_a_turtle\"><\/span>Can you get sick from eating a turtle?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Affected turtles appear healthy and do not exhibit signs of illness, but <b>human poisoning can occur if the turtle meat is cooked, eaten raw or boiled in soup, and all parts of the turtle are potentially toxic.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_happens_if_you_eat_turtle\"><\/span>What happens if you eat turtle?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Poisoning by turtle meat is called chelonitoxin or turtle poisoning and has been reported from many countries in the Indian Ocean, including Seychelles. The vast majority of turtle poisoning cases have come from eating hawksbill turtle meat, but green turtle meat can also be poisonous.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_it_safe_to_eat_turtles\"><\/span>Is it safe to eat turtles?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>These creatures are <b>an unsafe food choice as they carry several illness-causing chemicals such as toxins, heavy metals, and other environmental contaminants. A turtle meal could quickly come back to haunt a person with drastic consequences requiring immediate medical attention.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_diseases_can_you_get_from_eating_turtles\"><\/span>What diseases can you get from eating turtles?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The most common germ spread from turtles is called <b>Salmonella. People can get Salmonella by coming in contact with turtles or their habitats. Small turtles are especially a problem because kids are more likely to put these animals in their mouths, kiss them, and not wash their hands after handling them.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_it_illegal_to_eat_a_turtle\"><\/span>Is it illegal to eat a turtle?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Today green sea turtles, like all other species of sea turtles, are federally protected under the Endangered Species Act. <b>If you ate one in the United States, you would be committing a felony. Turtles are one of the most imperiled groups of animals on the planet.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_turtle_good_to_eat\"><\/span>Is turtle good to eat?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In addition to being <b>a good source of protein, soft-shelled turtle is high in calcium, with 20 percent of your recommended daily total. Vitamins A, B1, B2, and B6 and phosphorous and zinc are plentiful in turtle meat.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_it_safe_to_eat_turtle\"><\/span>Is it safe to eat turtle?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>These creatures are <b>an unsafe food choice as they carry several illness-causing chemicals such as toxins, heavy metals, and other environmental contaminants. A turtle meal could quickly come back to haunt a person with drastic consequences requiring immediate medical attention.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_humans_eat_turtle_meat\"><\/span>Can humans eat turtle meat?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Yes, you can eat turtle. Although they are technically a reptile, turtles are considered a delicacy in some parts of the world and are considered safe to eat. They are a good source of protein and minerals, and their meat is low in fat.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_you_get_sick_from_eating_turtle\"><\/span>Can you get sick from eating turtle?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Affected turtles appear healthy and do not exhibit signs of illness, but <b>human poisoning can occur if the turtle meat is cooked, eaten raw or boiled in soup, and all parts of the turtle are potentially toxic.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_type_of_turtles_can_you_eat\"><\/span>What type of turtles can you eat?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Snapping turtles and sea turtles are the most commonly eaten turtles. While turtles are a part of some regional cuisines, including the spicy symphony of flavors found in southern Louisiana, they are not considered a mainstream entree. For this reason, if you are going to cook a turtle, be selective.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_it_okay_to_eat_a_turtle\"><\/span>Is it okay to eat a turtle?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Affected turtles appear healthy and do not exhibit signs of illness, but <b>human poisoning can occur if the turtle meat is cooked, eaten raw or boiled in soup, and all parts of the turtle are potentially toxic.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_turtle_meat_make_you_sick\"><\/span>Can turtle meat make you sick?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>This is the conclusion of a study published in the International Journal of Food Microbiology, which shows that <b>people can catch certain diseases (trichinosis, pentastomiasis, gnathostomiasis and sparganosis) by eating the meat of reptiles such as crocodiles, turtles, lizards or snakes.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_you_eat_a_turtle_shell\"><\/span>Can you eat a turtle shell?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>The shell will also be brittle. However, that is primitive cooking yielding an edible meal but not the best possible taste. While cooking methods vary most cultures have learned to follow one of two general procedures. Kill the turtle and drain of blood (which with some large turtles like snappers can take overnight.)<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_I_eat_a_wild_turtle\"><\/span>Can I eat a wild turtle?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>But aside from your own health, there&#8217;s another reason <b>not to eat box turtles. The little creatures have a tough enough time surviving these days, thanks to habitat loss and humans&#8217; unfortunate habit of taking them from the wild as pets, which kills a lot of them from stress and poor living conditions.<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Table of Contents Is it safe to eat a turtle?What kind of turtles can you eat?Can eating turtle make you sick?Can turtles be eaten by humans?Is a turtle safe to eat?What happens if you eat a turtle?Is it safe to eat snapping turtle?Can you eat all types of turtles?Are turtles safe to eat?Is it legal&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"spay_email":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[622],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-139091","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-pet-care"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139091"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=139091"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139091\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=139091"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=139091"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=139091"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}