What happens when a turtle gets scared?

When a turtle is scared, it usually retracts its head, limbs, and tail into its shell and will not come out for a long time. If the turtle is stimulated frequently, it may become somewhat neurotic — darting around at the slightest sound or hiding motionless in a corner.

In more serious cases, the turtle may also develop a complete loss of appetite and diarrhea. Therefore, when a turtle first arrives home, the owner should avoid disturbing it too often; wait until it has adapted to the new environment before approaching it gradually.