Turtles can be very mysterious creatures, so mysterious that even now we don’t know that much about their behavior. So asking yourself if they drink water is quite understandable, especially since they spend most of their time in the water, where it can be quite hard to see what they do.
Do turtles pee? Yes, turtles pee through their cloaca, which is an orifice that is a combination of an anus, urethra, and gills.
So turtles do pee, but why don’t we see them do it? What is this cloaca that allows them to breathe underwater, lay eggs, and pee? And how do they use pee as a defense against predators? Those are the questions that we will explore in the rest of the article. Let’s start with the cloaca.
The Cloaca
As you can see in the picture above the cloaca is basically the turtle’s butt. This is the place from where turtles urinate, defecate and lay eggs. And also one of the places from where they breathe.
The cloaca works in a similar way to the lungs, when the turtle is inside the water the cloaca will act like a pump that will suck water inside and after it gathers all the oxygen from it, it will expel the water out, and then it will start over. Due to the way things are arranged on the inside of the turtle this process is less exhausting than normal breathing.
Even if using the cloaca is less exhausting for the turtle, in normal circumstances a turtle won’t be able to survive for long periods of time using only the cloaca.
Here is a short video that shows how cloacal breathing works:
Some turtle species like the Olive ridley sea turtle can stay almost 10 hours submerged underwater, and the air that they get through the cloaca is essential for that. Not all turtles that use their cloaca for breathing are able to achieve such long periods underwater, but they are able to spend a lot more time than they would have without the cloaca.
Depending on their natural habitat different turtle species are able to get more air through their cloaca than other species, and this is to be expected. Sea turtles use it all the time since some of them spend their entire life without leaving the water. Aquatic turtles on the other hand still spend a fair amount of time on land as well. And land turtles that don’t spend any time underwater have little to no use for the breathing abilities of the cloaca.
How Turtles Use Pee as a Defense Mechanism
Turtles are also able to use their pee as a defense mechanism. When turtles get scared they can basically pee on themselves. While at first, this doesn’t seem like a very efficient defense, it actually is. A lot of predators have a very sensible smell and based on the smell of their prey they can decide if it’s a good meal or not.
It’s possible that you might have seen a few horror movies where people that are going to be attacked by monsters or ghosts, pee themselves. While this is mostly considered a horror movie trope, it’s actually based on reality, since humans possess the same defense mechanism as turtles.
This mechanism can be seen quite easily if you are a new turtle owner. You just have to pick your turtle up, and you will be able to see that your turtle will start to pee. This will happen because your turtle will think that you are a predator and that you are trying to eat it.
As your turtle gets more accustomed to you it will stop peeing on your hand, but until then this is one of the few occasions when you can see your turtle pee.
Here is a video where you can see a turtle pees while somebody is holding it:
Why Don’t We See Turtles Pee?
Except for the situation mentioned above, it’s almost impossible to see a turtle pee, and there are two good reasons for this.
The first one is that turtles are really small, so they will have a bladder of appropriate size. So the quantity of pee that gets out is very small, which makes it very hard to see.
The second reason is that they live in water, where pee is kind of hard to see, especially if you take the small quantity that they let out, into consideration.
Conclusion
I hope this article answered all your questions about turtle pee. If you have any questions left, please feel free to leave them in the comment section and I will answer them as soon as possible.
Hello,
If you enjoy the content that we create, please consider saying a "Thank You!" by leaving a tip.
Every little bit can help us tremendously in continuing to create quality content that helps turtle and tortoise owners around the world.
We really appreciate the kindness and support that you show us!
Today I saw a painted turtle in the road and moved him. He peed all over me. Is this harmful to me? Will I get sick?
Nothing bad will happen if you touch turtle pee, just make sure that you wash or disinfect your hands before you touch anything else.
I have a reeves turtle for 40 years she walks around the house. Now she leaves puddles and I mean large puddles. What is the cause.
If your Reeves turtle is suddenly leaving large puddles of water, it could indicate a health issue or a change in behavior. There are several possible reasons for this behavior, and I recommend that you consult with a veterinarian who specializes in reptiles to diagnose and address the issue properly.
Here are some potential reasons for excessive water loss in turtles:
Excessive Drinking: Turtles may drink more water if they are dehydrated, so an increase in water consumption could be a sign of an underlying health issue. Kidney problems, metabolic issues, or other health concerns could be at play.
Respiratory Infection: Sometimes, turtles with respiratory infections may expel excess fluids from their nostrils, which can appear like puddles.
Bladder Issues: An issue with the turtle’s bladder or urinary system can lead to increased urination, which may result in large puddles.
Environmental Changes: Changes in the turtle’s environment or routine can lead to stress, which may result in changes in behavior. If there have been significant changes in your home or the turtle’s enclosure, it might be affecting her.
Aging: As turtles age, they may experience changes in their health and behavior. Kidney function can decrease over time, leading to changes in water balance.
Diet: Diet can impact water balance. If you’ve made changes to her diet, this could influence her water intake and urination.
Without a proper examination by a veterinarian, it’s challenging to determine the specific cause of this behavior. I recommend that you seek the assistance of a reptile veterinarian who can perform a thorough examination, including blood tests and other diagnostics, to identify any underlying health issues and provide appropriate treatment.
Turtles can live for several decades, and as they age, they may become more susceptible to various health concerns. Regular check-ups and monitoring are essential to ensure their well-being.