steve wrote: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.
This federal law went into effect in 1975 and strongly enforced after 12 confirmed non-fatal illnesses from salmonella from 2006 to 2007 and one fatal of a 3 week old baby girl died from salmonella on July 9th, 2007 in which all these cases were linked to baby turtles and or turtles under 4 inches . Salmonella in all these cases were confirmed linked to the turtles by Medical Doctors.
Post where “ The Computer Gremlin Stated above:
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TheComputerGremlin wrote:
State: Florida.
TheComputerGremlin wrote: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.
I understand now that in Florida only selected red ear slider morphs are permitted and the law still applies that turtles must be over 4 inches still UNLESS for educational purposes. This is the loop hole in the laws in which pet stores and other sell babies less than 4 inches. Law enforcement does not watch customers to verify it is for educational purposes only so pet stores and breeders alike get around this law simply by usually placing a note on the holding tanks the state “Turtles under 4 inches are purchased for education purposes only.” . The truth is, so many pet shops and breeders do not check if it is for educational purposes and results into the owners of these turtles not being well kept with the turtles needs and or researching their selves on forums like this or social media turtle pages unfortunately sometimes when it is to late and the turtle needing licensed exotic veterinarian care and or the turtle dies from neglecting its needs in their enclosures such as UVB or diets as a example.
Due to these Florida Laws, I had to go with purchasing red ear slider morphs such as my albinos and hybinos in order to be legal and still enjoy red ear sliders as a whole. I don’t mind but the money put out to purchase the morphs are so very high. I don’t regret buying the ones I have. I actually get stress relief in watching them daily and I tend to watch them more than t.v. in general.