2007-03-27 04:56:39 · 7 answers · asked by M@DDy F. 2 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
Are you sure its totally illegal, or is it just illegal to sell babies under 4 inches?
The reason it is illegal everywhere in the USA to sell baby turtles under 4 inches in length is because people think they're so cute so they buy them and decide to give them to their kids as a 'first pet'(and what a terrible first pet it is!). The kid does not understand the concept of 'turtle' and decides it belongs in the mouth, like everything else. The kid gets salmonella and may or may not die.
Many cases like that popped up in the '80's, I think, and thats when the law was passed. Now no pet store in the USA can sell baby turtles for anything other than scientific purpose. If you yourself bred turtles, you could sell then seeing as you are not a business, but no pet store can.
As far as NJ, I'm not sure, sorry I cant help there, but maybe there was a more devastating case of salmonella outbreak there?
2007-03-27 05:08:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 45⤊ 5⤋
I think it is illegal to sell turtle here because people were afraid of salmonella, but I couldn't find any info on it.
2007-03-28 02:08:46 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Every state and city has its own policies about pets. Some are pretty strict.
It is against federal regulations to sell turtles under 4" anywhere in the US, and a lot of places protect their native turtles as well.
For your state, I'd ask at the local animal shelter- they usually know the rules.
2007-03-28 00:13:26 · answer #3 · answered by Madkins007 7 · 6⤊ 2⤋
Its just illegal to sell the little ones. Turtles carry salmonella. You have to be carefull handling them.
http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2004/08/dont_buy_the_tu.html
2007-03-27 12:18:08 · answer #4 · answered by Cheyenne 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
its also illegal in arkansas.
because a couple of years back--- some kids died of the bacteria that turtles can 'give off' by holding them and being around them.
2007-03-27 12:04:26 · answer #5 · answered by Christian4life 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Baby Red Eared Sliders that are under 4 inches are illegal to sell in the us becaus they have a disease that can leave you hospitalised.
2007-03-27 18:16:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
in most states its illegal to sell turtles larger than 4(?) in because little kids put them in their mouths, then get salmonella from the turtle's feces. many other states banned turtles all together for this reason
2007-03-27 12:29:52 · answer #7 · answered by kristin 3 · 2⤊ 4⤋