Safety Around Turtles and Frogs

Children under 5 years old and people who have weakened immune systems should avoid contact with reptiles and amphibians, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reptiles (lizards, snakes and turtles) and amphibians (frogs and salamanders) can carry the bacterium Salmonella. Salmonella can cause the disease salmonellosis, which can cause diarrhea, fever and stomach pain. Anyone who handles these animals or their cages should wash his or her hands thoroughly afterward with soap and water.