how do all these people have baby turtles?

Question

aren't they illegal?
whyyyyyyy are they still being sold to people who have no idea how to properly care for them??

It makes me sad. Is it because the authorities don't give a crap about the 4 inch law? or did it change or something??

I don't really have a problem with people having baby turtles... I have a problem with them being sold in 'impulse buy' situations and the buyers being misinformed about their care and then not caring for them properly.

I saw this guy selling baby turtles at a flea market and people kept buying them for their kids. And also they were in tiny critter carriers like 1/2 gallon or less and the guy was telling people that they can just live in those.
I was mad I was like how many of these turtles are actually going to live more than a week? and worse how many are going to end up in some random pond or creek somewhere??

Answer 1

It's illegal to sell them as pets, but there is a loophole. I work at a pet store, and a conservation agent wanted us to stop selling certain turtles. We did, even though the agent told us that all you really have to do is post a sign saying the turtles are sold for scientific or educational purposes only. We get our reptiles from national vendors, and they all have that little disclaimer printed under their turtle section. So yes, there is a law against selling turtles under 4", but the law is very flawed.

Answer 2

I am not sure where you live and what laws you have but here in Utah they sell turtles pretty much everywhere in pet stores.

Now as for the people who buy them and don't know how to take care of them, sadly this happens with all types of animals. They buy animals that are going to be huge and don't realize how big something is till it is that big. They buy things that are hard to take care of and either don't care or don't realize how hard it is and they just buy them cause they look cool or pretty.

Most of this is due to impulse buying. You should always have your house/cage setup to accomidate the animal as soon as you get it. You shouldn't be messing around with the cage after you have baught the animal.

Answer 3

Around here the use the loophole that they sell you the tank and the turtle is free. So they are not technically selling the turtle.

Same with ferrets, which it is illegal to sell in my state.

It makes me sad to see kids lining up taking those cute little guys home in those tiny plastic bowls. In a few weeks most of them will have puffy eyes and soft shells.

Answer 4

This makes me really mad too. I hate when the sellers tell the people that it is easy to take care of the baby turtles( this is what happened to me) and then they buy them and have no idea how to care for them. Luckily I found the RES website and have totally changed their life. But about $500 later, they are now happ.

Answer 5

hi there
not all places turtles are illegal..here in canada many turtles are very much legal ...except the indangered ones ...
i understand why ur pissed about selling turtle with out a proper care sheet we have had so many turtle come to us b/c the ppl either didn't realize how big they get or did care for them properly... but this isn't just turtle that come in we have had many other reptiles come in sick, hurt, or just they are too big and the ppl don't want them ...

Answer 6

no you can buy a turtle at any size as long as you sign a form that it will be used for educational purpose's or buy a habitat and get a turtle free, that way there not selling it.

Answer 7

I agree with you. Many are brought in illegally and sold at flea markets. Others are shipped to people from sellers on the Internet. Many of these turtles are diseased as they have not been inspected.

Answer 8

they dont buy em they catch em (and ive had a baby turtle and i kept it alive for 3 years but then i let it go. they are easy to take care of...)