Do you remember those colorful "paint turtles" that are common on the streets? They are covered in all kinds of bright paints and patterns, as if they were specially designed to appeal to our little ones. However, those seemingly charming colorful little turtles hide a heart-wrenching story behind them.
Anyone who has ever bought these colourful turtles may have experienced the tragedy that these little creatures are always difficult to feed and will soon leave us. When merchants sell, they often claim that the pigments they use are non-toxic and harmless, and the turtle shell is so thick that it will not cause any effect on the turtle. But the cruel truth tells us that these paints are undoubtedly a fatal disaster for turtles.
Chemicals in paint, such as aldehydes, benzene, toluene, and methane, are not only harmful to humans, but also fatal to small lives like turtles. They can invade the turtle's respiratory system, causing serious damage or even death directly. And the paint that is applied to the shells of the turtles hinders their normal growth and development.
The shell of a turtle is not only their umbrella but also an important part of their body. They need sunlight to synthesize vitamin D, which promotes bone development and recovery. However, the thick paint prevents them from enjoying the gift of sunlight, resulting in insufficient nutrient absorption and deformed physical development.
In addition, the shell of the turtle also carries the heavy responsibility of "breathing". The special body structure makes them need to pass through the air sacs under the shell to aid breathing. And the cover of paint undoubtedly brings great trouble to their breathing, making them live in pain and struggle.
To make matters worse, these tortoises, painted in a variety of colors, have lost their protective color in nature. The color used to help them evade predators, but now it has become their Achilles' heel.
Some turtle lovers with knowledge of turtle breeding understand that this is not conducive to the growth of turtles, and have to take great pains to remove the paint from their bodies. However, the process is difficult and painful, and it is also a disservice to the turtle itself. Therefore, the best way is to refuse to buy these paint turtles from the beginning, as the saying goes, there is no harm in buying and selling.
The same applies to those chicks that are dyed. In order to attract customers, merchants often paint the chickens with various colors. However, these pigments also contain toxic substances that are not only harmful to chicks, but can also pose a threat to our health.
In addition, it is worth mentioning that the painted Brazilian turtle is actually one of the invasive alien species. If we release them into the natural environment at will, it can cause damage to the local ecosystem.
Therefore, in order to protect these innocent little lives, and also to maintain our own health and environmental safety, let us jointly resist the purchase of goods such as paint turtles and dyed chicks. Let's take practical actions to care for animals, protect the environment, and make this world a better place.