Pet Turtle Laws

It is important for you to get familiarize with legalities and basic care concern of the turtle before you buy them. You should not break the laws of your states to own a pet turtle. People hardly understand their state laws and make statements that are incorrect. This often causes apprehension to the people who just found a turtle or thinking about keeping it as a pet. You should properly identify the species if you found a turtle before worrying about anything. There are several pet turtle owning laws in various states so do the research before you buy a certain species. Some of the basic pet turtle laws that apply to most states are mentioned below.

Pet turtle laws:

1. You should not release non native species into the wild as it is against state laws. The long captive turtles should not be released into the wild.
2. You should help your pet turtles to cross roads safely. Protect you turtle pet from motor vehicles. Motorists should not intentionally drive over the turtles on the road as it is against the pet turtle laws.
3. Make sure that your pet turtle is safe from predator. Provide them safe sand clean environment to make them feel comfortable and secure.
4. There is a strict observance of the possession limits when the turtles are transported from the wild.
5. Don’t buy / sell a turtle that is smaller than three inches in size as it is illegal.
6. Make sure that the turtle you purchase is not an endangered species because owning an endangered turtle is illegal.
7. It is illegal to sell/ buy turtles with a shell of less than four inches as small shell turtles require proper care. This law should be strictly followed as it can cause several health problems to pet turtle.
8. Small and diseased turtle should not be purchased because many young children who handle them come in close contact with the bacteria. Diseased tortoise can cause several infections to human beings. it is advisable to you to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after handling turtles or their cages.
9. There are some states in which it is illegal to own a pet turtle.
10. Households with children less than five years of age should not keep turtles as turtles can harm your children. Turtles require proper care and attention to survive. If you are able to provide required care and attention to turtle then only you should own turtle.

It is advisable to read your pet turtle state laws yourself and draw your own conclusions rather than listen to hearsay and misinformation. Mostly people who are enthusiastic turtle keeper have a considerable misinterpretation of the pet turtle laws. If you have a turtle for some time and now you don’t want to keep it as a pet then you can relocate them to the wild or you can place it in your yard.