But no one ever gets to test his animals. Or do people careThat is right. Turtles and tortoises can be infected with mycoplasma without showing signs or being sick, but when those tortoises have stress ( breeding, hibernation , wrong temps or food ) the desease can break out and they are getting sick. They can also infect other tortoises with mycoplasma when they live together or water and food dishes are used collectively. Some species of tortoises can handle mycoplasma infections better than others. Some die.