How to Know If a Turtle Is Dead

By Ryn Gargulinski

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

Soft stick
Food

Step 1:
Gently poke at him. You can use a soft stick or your finger to see if you can get the turtle to move or at least react.
Step 2:
Tempt him with food. Pick out the tastiest treat you know he loves and offer it to him.
Step 3:
Turn him over and look at his underside. Turtles hate being flipped on their backs and will usually start to squirm when done so.
Step 4:
Look at his eyes. If they are glazed open and don’t blink when you blow on them, it may be time to dig the grave.
Step 5:
Note if he starts to smell. If you’ve ignored your turtle for some time and note a rotting flesh odor wafting from his cage, chances are he’s no longer with you.

Tips & Warnings

Do not buy turtles that appear dead, no matter how vehemently the pet shopper worker may be telling you the turtle is merely sleeping.
Don’t bury the turtle unless you are absolutely sure he’s dead.

Photo/Video Credit

Illustration by Ryn Gargulinski

More Puppy Pages

How to Buy Cheap Aquariums

Your dream is to line a wall of your house with a fine array of feisty fish, but you don’t have a million dollars to do it. While some equipment may be pricey, you can buy inexpensive aquariums to help offset the cost. Read on to learn how to buy...

How to Care for a Red Eared Slider Turtle

One of the most common pet turtles available today is the Red Eared Slider. Readily available and of good temperament, Sliders are pet store favorites. However, before bringing any new pet into your home, be certain you understand the animal's needs...

Caring for a wild turtle is an adventure for those willing to commit in terms of time, expense and diligence. Rescuing an injured or diseased turtle should only be accomplished by those who have learned to properly rehabilitate the reptile. Taking a...

Turtles are reptiles that live both on land and in the water. They can be unique pets, especially for people who are allergic to animals with fur, such as cats, dogs or rabbits. Much like other types of pets, you must take care of your turtle to ensure...

A bandana can fix everything, from making a bad hair day better to keeping sweat off your brow. It can also look really cool, as long as you know how to tie a bandana without it looking like an old lady’s babushka. Here’s how.