Reptile Handling Guidelines
Always wash your hands with soap after you pick up a lizard. Children should always be supervised, and children under 5 should not handle reptiles.
How to Pick-up a Lizard: Pick up a lizard by the shoulders and hips or base of tail. Then support it’s feet. Never grasp them by the end tail for sometimes the tail will fall off. Gently remove it from the cage so as not to injure its toenails. Caution- some lizards may bite, and it is advisable to handle them very carefully.
Handling Guideline for the prevention of Salmonella
Infections
Salmonella Infections in Humans: There have been a few cases where salmonella
infections have been transmitted from reptiles to humans. In humans salmonella
can cause flu-like symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, and severe abdominal pain
within 12 to 24 hours after ingesting a Salmonella tainted food
substance. Since Salmonella is usually transmitted orally the best
prevention is to wash your hands after touching any reptile.
Handling Guidelines:
1. Always wash your hands with soap after handling a lizard.
2. Children under 5 should avoid handling lizards
3. Reptiles should not be kept in food preparation areas.
4...Reptiles may not be appropriate pets for day care centers.