Why is it illegal to sell turtles in missouri?

Answer 1

Missouri's turtles are in jeopardy and species like the Yellow Mud Turtle are endangered. Missori wants to help protect turtles that are killed by cars and by getting shot at by not allowing them to be captured or sold. Also, snapping turtles down there are considered game and hunters will kill and take them. Scroll down to the bottom of this link for more information (you will need Adobe Reader) http://mdc4.mdc.mo.gov/Documents/8273.pdf

They don't sell them in New Jersey either.

Answer 2

Turtles tend to fall under a lot of different laws. Fishing laws, native game or non-game species laws, protected animals laws, exotic pet laws, health rules, etc.

It is against federal regulations to sell ANY turtle under 4". most pet shops have found that no one wants to by the big turtles- especially since this means someone has to raise them for a couple years and pass the cost of raising them to the buyer. A baby that can sell for $5-10 has to go for about $25-50 to recoup the overhead.

I have found a lot of pet shops just get lazy one way or the other- they sell illegal animals and have you sign a meaningless waiver, or they just plain don't sell them and say it is because of the laws when it is really a matter of profitability.

Also, some states are getting pretty aggressive about selling animals that can mess up wild populations if they get loose. Places like Florida have been badly damaged by released animals that take over wild areas. This is a potential problem in Missouri and similar states with a rich selection of animal populations that could be so easily messed up.

Answer 3

if you are referring to captive bred turtles such as you would buy from petco no they are not illegal to sell. but native wild turtles are its mainly due to the same problem every where change in habitat. roads urbanization etc. are the leading causes to the decline of turtles. I live in missouri and see an abundance of box style turtles and snappers along with some softshells. mostly in the ozark and truman lake areas. I think this is the same or close to the website above but you can view it online and do not need adobe. great question.