Is it illegal to own certain turtles?

Answer 1

Absolutely!!! If you will go to your local Animal Control website, you should be able to access what exotic pet ordinances are in effect in your area.

Answer 2

1. Turtles under 4" long are illegal to sell by federal law. (The law is widely ignored, but it exists.) [edit- Fireside points out that this is a 'regulation', not a law. The actual federal code clearly calls it a regulation, but to most of us lay folk, 'regulation' and 'law' are synonyms. Even the dictionary defines 'regulation' as a 'law'. Nonetheless, I will concede the point to him!]

2. There are many turtles protected by endangered species laws or export laws. American Gopher tortoises, for example, are illegal to own or capture.

3. Some places make it illegal to collect local turtles, either at all or without a permit. Many states include some or all of their turtles in the fishing laws..

4. Some places, usually cities, make keeping 'exotic pets' illegal. Sometimes this includes at least some turtles, often tortoises.

5. Some places make 'dangerous animals' illegal and include things like snappers in the law.

The average keeper, buying animals for good sources, will never be busted for violating a law.

Answer 3

A turtle or tortoise is not "illegal" to possess unless it is a protected species in state or federal law.

Only the COMMERCIAL SALE of turtles and tortoises with a carapace length of less than 4" is prohibited by federal REGUALTION. Unless you have a protected species, or you own a pet shop or are otherwise in the business of selling turtles to the public THERE IS NO LAW OR REGULATION WHICH APPLIES TO YOU.

Depending on the state you are in, the only collection limitation there would be is if the turtle is considered a "game animal" by your local wildlife agency. In most states turtles are not considered "game animal" like deer are, so they are not restricted in any way. In some states people still eat turtles ( mostly snapping turtles ), and they may be classed as a game animal, and there may be a bag limit. I assume that is not what you are doing though, so it shouldn;t be a concern.

To my surprise it seems that some still believe there is a federal "law" about selling turtles under 4"...even after I have shown them that it is a "regulation" not a "law". They seem to not know there is a difference. I have criminal and constitutional law studies background, so I know the difference. A federal "law" would have criminal consequences for violating ( i.e. you shot the president ). A federal regualtion has only administrative penalties ( revoke your business license for selling turtles under 4" ). If you are not a dealer in pet turtles, then you have nothing to worry about so long as your turtle is not a protected species.

Read my answer on that here: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

and here:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AqzsNyUFSVAz2XM05v1BC_AAAAAA?qid=20070316211203AAwRy0U&show=7#profile-info-d65fa3eb84b0ad37fa64d42705ac2263aa

Answer 4

I'm sure anything on the endangered list is illegal to own without some type of permit. There may be state and local laws in your area that prohibit keeping wild animals as pets.

Answer 5

because of the fact new study coach that puppy turtles have thousands of micro organism on them, and a sprint woman in Kansas died from her puppy turtle. So now its unlawful in alot of states to have turtles as pets. i think of there attempting suitable now to get it unlawful in each and every of america.

Answer 6

Yes, Indeed

Answer 7

Probably ones on the Endangered species list

http://ecos.fws.gov/tess_public/SpeciesReport.do?dsciname=0&dcomname=1&dgroup=2&dstatus=3&dcurrdist=4&sgroup=0&ssciname=1&scomname=2&searchkey=comname&searchkey=sciname&header=TESS%20Search%20Results&searchstring=turtle

http://ecos.fws.gov/tess_public/SpeciesReport.do?dsciname=0&dcomname=1&dgroup=2&dstatus=3&dcurrdist=4&sgroup=0&ssciname=1&scomname=2&searchkey=comname&searchkey=sciname&header=TESS%20Search%20Results&searchstring=tortoise

Answer 8

yes, unless you own an aquarium, which is certified by the government

Answer 9

yes