Children under age 5 should not handle reptiles at all. Young children are at higher risk of severe illness from infections that reptiles can carry.
Reptiles can include:
- snakes
- turtles
- tortoises
- lizards
All reptiles can carry bacteria, viruses, parasites and worms that can be dangerous if they pass to your child. In particular, turtles and the infections they carry can be a danger to babies and children under age 5.
Reptiles should not be kept in childcare facilities or creches.
Important
If your child has a weak immune system, they should avoid all contact with reptiles.
Wash your hands to reduce risks
To keep your child safe, make sure that you and your child wash your hands carefully after handling:
- a pet
- a pet cage
- pet food or water
- any surfaces or equipment that may be in contact with pet poo
Reptiles and health risks to your child
Bacteria and illnesses that reptiles could pass to your child include salmonella and botulism. These are the biggest risks.
Salmonella
Salmonella is caused by bacteria.
The illness causes:
- diarrhoea
- vomiting (getting sick)
- headache
- fever
- tummy cramps
Salmonella can also result in blood infections and dehydration.
Salmonella is a risk with all types of reptiles. Washing your hands reduces the risk.
Botulism
Botulism is a serious and life-threatening illness that can cause paralysis (loss of movement) and death. Botulism is caused by bacteria called Clostridium. Clostridium is common in reptiles.
Babies and children under age 1 are especially at risk.
Symptoms of botulism in babies include:
- constipation
- difficulty sucking or feeding
- a floppy head
- floppy muscles
- weak crying
- tiredness
- irritability
- poor reflexes
- heavy eyelids or eyes that look flat or unfocused
Emergency action required: Go to your nearest hospital emergency department (ED) if
you have a reptile and:
- your child has any symptoms of botulism
Tell the triage, medical and nursing staff that you own a reptile.
Other infections
Other infections are linked with keeping reptiles as pets. Most infections are treatable but some can be very serious.
Infections include:
- campylobacteriosis - a bowel infection
- leptospirosis - a liver disease
- trichinellosis - a disease of muscles, the nervous system and the heart and lungs
Turtles and health risks to your child
Bacteria that cause botulism are common in aquatic reptiles. Aquatic reptiles are reptiles that live in water, such as turtles.
Exposure to turtles or to turtle feed was the likely cause in at least 2 cases of infant botulism in Ireland.
If you own a turtle, wash your hands immediately after you touch:
- the turtle
- anything the turtle touched
- the turtle's water
Important
Turtle germs can be very dangerous to babies and children under age 5.
If you are around babies or children, wash your hands immediately after you touch a turtle or its water. Wash your hands before you visit and when you arrive at a place where there are children present.
Teach your child safety around reptiles
Watch your child at all times around reptiles. Tell your child to tell you if a reptile scratches or bites them.
Keep your reptile in its tank or cage. Do not let the reptile loose.
Don't
-
do not eat, drink or smoke while handling reptiles, reptile tanks or reptile equipment
-
do not allow children to kiss reptiles or share food or drink with reptiles
Reptile bites or scratches
If a reptile bites or scratches your child:
- wash the wound immediately in warm running water
- dry the wound carefully
- cover the wound with a clean plaster
- contact a GP for medical advice
Snakebites and your child
Snakebites are not common in Ireland, but they do happen.
Emergency action required: Go to your nearest ED immediately or call 112 or 999 if:
- you or your child is bitten by a snake
Pet snakes sometimes bite if they are disturbed, provoked or handled incorrectly.
Some pet snakes are venomous. Venom contains toxins made by the snake.
Venomous snakes can:
- inject venom as they bite
- bite without injecting any venom (dry bite)
A dry bite may cause pain or infection where the fangs break the skin. Dry bites can also cause anxiety.
If a snake injects venom, it can cause more serious symptoms such as:
- nausea (feeling sick)
- vomiting (getting sick)
- dizziness, fainting and shock
- paralysis (loss of movement) of the muscles
If a snake bites your child
Your child may be admitted to hospital so staff can check the bite and:
- monitor your child's symptoms, such as any swelling or redness that appears
- monitor your child's heart rate and temperature
- do blood tests
The blood tests check the effects of venom and how parts of the body are working. For example, the kidneys and muscles.
Feeding reptiles
Frozen or live rodents can carry bacteria that can make you or your child sick.
If you feed your reptile with frozen or live rodents:
- wash your hands after handling and preparing the food
- wash your hands after feeding your reptile
- never allow children to handle the food
Keeping clean around reptiles
To stay safe, assume that your reptile is infected with harmful bacteria.
Wash your hands and your child's hands after contact with reptiles.
Do not touch your mouth after handling your reptile or anything it touched. Wash your hands carefully first. Teach your child to do the same.
Keep reptiles out of any area where you prepare or eat food. Use hot water to wash any surfaces the reptile contacts.
Cleaning a reptile or equipment
Only wash your reptile in its own basin. Never use sinks or the bath. Dispose of waste water and droppings in the toilet or an outside drain.
Always wear disposable gloves when you clean:
- tanks
- cages
- equipment
Wash your hands afterwards.
Use a hot wash to clean clothes that were in contact with your reptile.
Keeping your reptile healthy
Talk to your vet about feeding and caring for your reptile.
Stress can cause your reptile to shed salmonella and other bacteria.