redearslider.com

I'd like to keep a list of places where it is legal/illegal for RES. I am not enforcing or dictating law, however those who re-home or acquire turtles may need to know this information. This list is not to criticize laws or keepers. Please note that a permit might be required to deal with unprotected wildlife or captive animals. Thanks!

*Replies to this list might be edited or deleted.


State: Oregon
General Status: Prohibited
Wildlife Status: Not protected

*species may not be imported, released into the wild or possessed alive in captivity

State: Ohio
General Status: Native
Captive Status: Able to be sold over 4", no household limit
Wildlife Status: Can be taken from the wild
Personal Experience: Turtles and turtle supplies sold in pet stores, have seen hatchlings sold at markets

State: Pennsylvania
General Status: Native
Captive Status: Able to be sold over 4", no household limit
Wildlife Status: Can be taken from the wild
Personal Experience: Turtles and turtle supplies sold in pet stores

State: New York
General Status: Native?
Captive Status: Able to be sold over 4"
Wildlife Status: Should not be released into the wild
Personal Experience: Turtles and turtle supplies sold in pet stores, have seen hatchlings sold at markets

State: West Virginia
General Status: Unsure
Captive Status: Able to be sold over 4"
Wildlife Status: Unsure
Personal Experience: Turtles and turtle supplies sold in pet stores

State: Florida
Cannot be sold in Florida, can be shipped out of Florida to other states, cannot be released, cannot be bred, if you already own one, you can keep it.

Since I have seen turtles (at least 4") sold at Petco on several occasions I assume they are legal in Texas.
From the quick search I did, I found out that in Texas it is legal to "harvest" an unlimited number of freshwater turtles for personal consumption and to sell as food. Ewww... That law is in repeal now to stop the spread of turtles that are contaminated from pollutants and toxins from being sold as food. Sometimes I'm sorry I researched a topic.
Sorry if that was too much information.

I'm in New Jersey and they are illegal to sell at all here. We have no turtles or tortoises in petstores. Funny, since my turtle was shipped to a NJ address from Florida, where it is also illegal to sell them! I'm accually not clear on whether or not it's illegal to own them, but I don't think it is. They sell products for turtle in every petstore and my vet has no problem seeing a turtle. RES live all over around here but are not native so I didn't see anything about taking them from the wild...but a friend of mine was showing me a fishing mag that said you could "harvest" a certain number of snappers with a fishing licence....

Ok, I found more information. I needed to modify my search.

This concerns keeping turtles as pets in the state of Texas:


As long as a person is NOT involved in selling turtles, they may legally possess 6 of 1 species PER PERSON IN THE HOUSEHOLD. So, if there are TWO people living in your household, you can have 12 of 1 species of turtle in your possession.

I found the same information from two different sources.

iowa allows RES over 4 inches, as does Nebraska, Illinois, Minnesota, and Missouri.

Country: Canada
General Status: Legal to sell and own at any size.
Wildlife Status: Considered an invasive alien species.

*No live turtles or turtle eggs may be imported.

Country: Taiwan
General Status: Legal to sell and own at any size.
Wildlife Status: Native in some areas, invasive in others.

In Florida you are allowed to buy and sell the albinos and pastel colored sliders, just not the "normal" ones.

State: Illinois
General Status: Native
Captive Status: Able to be sold over 4"; The possession limit for amphibians and reptiles is 16 of each species.
Wildlife Status: Turtles may be taken only by hand, hook and line, or dip net. A valid fishing license is required.
Personal Experience: Turtles and turtle supplies sold in pet stores, have never seen hatchlings sold in stores.

So, what's up with this? Why are their laws regarding turtles? Is it because the can be possible carriers of certain disease/bacteria? I know i was strongly urged by my vet not to get my turtle because of this reason, since I have a kid. But, I would think if you take proper care of them and use common sense on sanitation it should be fine.

There is a federal law banning sales for certain sizes because of salmonella (hatchling + kid = turtle in mouth = sick kid).

The state laws are in place because people release them into the wild because they no longer want them. RES are very hardy and can out compete native species and disrupt ecosystems.

OHHHHHHHHHHH...interesting! is there anything y'all don't know???? awesome.

State: Pennsylvania
General Status: Native
Captive Status: Able to be sold over 4", no household limit
Wildlife Status: Can be taken from the wild
Personal Experience: Turtles and turtle supplies sold in pet stores