redearslider.com

I was reading somewhere in the forum a comment about it being illegal for the public to own RES in Virginia. It hit me today- I just got my babies and am planning on moving to Va within the year, does this mean I will have to part with them so soon???? Or will I be ok bringing them in with me, so long as i did not aquire them in Va??

Will I just have to hide them under my bed or something, like my roommate's pet rat in college? We had a fun time hiding that thing from the RA. I doubt I'll be facing turtle inspections, but I would like to know.
Thanks.

Its illegal to own baby turtles except for scientific, educational, or display reasons. Why ? because the fact that they carry salmonella. the ownership of baby turtles under 4" inch shell in the US was banned and is now illegal.


Will the police come to your house and take them away ?
Absoluty not....

They care more about pet stores selling them by mass quantities. Then a local citizen who owns a few himself. Really owning baby turtles and getting past the law has many loop holes. The Police cant really question the scientific reasons why you own baby turtles. Easy simply.... its a school project !

To best answer your question. Try to find the non emergency number to your police station and ask the local police station in your area if its legal to own red ear sliders.


THIS IS WIKI

U.S. State Law
Some states have other laws and regulations regarding possession of red-eared slider because they can be an invasive species where they are not native and have been introduced through the pet trade. As of July 1, 2007, it is illegal in Florida to sell any wild type red-eared slider, as they interbreed with the local yellow-bellied slider population – Trachemys scripta scripta is another subspecies of the same species, and intergrades typically combine the markings of the two subspecies. However, unusual color varieties such as albino and pastel red-eared Slider, which are derived from captive breeding, are still allowed for sale.[11]

yeah, but dont give them your name and address just incase.

just say youre curious and were thinking of studying them.

like i stated before... you can also call the non emergency police station which have a bookfull of laws and regulations of the state. im sure they will be better to answer your question. You dont really have to give out your name or address and i highly doubt they will even ask but LilTurtSquirt is right. Its illegal to posses baby turtles under 4" inch with intent to sell but if there just in possesion of just pets then you should be completely fine. I know certain states tho they are illegal both ways due to the endangerment of other rare exotic species.

Aahhh, thanks guys! I will check it out further, good sources. I had a moment of "OHNOOOO!" while planning what to do for my babies today and had to ask. All my old supplies are in storage in Va, I was planning a trip to get them and thinking ahead to how I'm going to move a turtle tank back to Va, along with everything else. Tend to do shoestring moves and pack a truck like tetris.