Here’s a strange fact for you; turtles have HPV.  I had no idea that this STD could be found on animals other than humans.  I know that monkeys are often found with diseases similar to that of humans, but turtles are completely different. 

This last weekend I was informed that one should not touch turtles as the majority carry HPV.  HPV is an STD that in humans causes warts or/and cervical cancer. It is a very common disease with 75% of 18 to 25 year olds already exposed to the disease.  In fact 1 in 4 women have some form of the disease. 

Turtles carry many diseases that can be transferred to humans if the precautions are not taken.  HPV and salmonella are just a few of the diseases that are carried by these animals.  So to prevent transferring one should always wear gloves when in contact with wild turtles and to be on the lookout for warts that are on the shell.  These warts are dangerous because they are highly contagious.  So next time you find yourself next to a wild turtle DO NOT TOUCH it!

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Filed under: Costa Rican Wildlife on August 14th, 2007