The turtle rehabilitator closest to me is in a different state. Can I bring turtles there? That depends. The transfer of protected native wildlife across state borders is prohibited by the Lacey Act, a landmark U.S. environmental protection law of 1900. Under this law, interstate transportation of wildlife is a federal crime punishable by fines of up to $5,000 (individual) or $10,000 (corporation) and/or up to six months in prison. However, the Act applies primarily to listed species; Taking common species out of the state for legitimate purposes, such as rehabilitation, is generally accepted in Connecticut. Small animals like turtles are often abused and forced into deplorable conditions when raised for pet stores for sale – look for a local shelter first if you are considering adopting a hamster and avoid pet stores. What are the laws around Red Eared Sliders? Depending on who you ask, pushers — the common turtles in pet stores — have become an invasive or naturalized species in Connecticut, thanks to homeowners who unfortunately release them back into the wild if they can`t find them a new home. These tough turtles are actually native to the southern United States, but tough enough to thrive here in New England.
They have become such a problem that a 2018 law made it illegal to import, sell, or release red-eared cursors in Connecticut. There is an exception for animals kept for educational or research purposes and for animals with patterns of pronounced and different colors (e.g. albino, Saskatoonisms). These exemptions still require compliance with Ministry of Agriculture guidelines for keeping buyer`s records and include the condition that turtles cannot be released. However, it is perfectly acceptable to relocate them. As one of the most abandoned pets in the country, they need all the adoption help they can get! The other thing that is currently illegal in the United States is that it is illegal to sell turtles that do not have a shell larger than four inches. This is due to FDA regulations related to the control of salmonella outbreaks in children. What they found was that children who have the little turtles are much more likely to handle them and catch salmonella. Salmonella is a bacterium that is normal in the digestive tract of reptiles, but it can cause serious illness in children, the elderly and immunocompromised people. If you have children at home or are an elderly person, do not buy a smaller turtle. You won`t get into trouble. It is the seller who is actually breaking the law, but be aware of this risk.
While many people like to keep pet reptiles, some are riskier than others. Here`s what you need to know about pet turtles. Clean your turtle aquarium and groceries while you are out of the house if possible. If you clean indoors, use a sink or bathtub that is only used for your turtle. Do not clean supplies in the kitchen or other places where you eat or prepare food. Salmonella is not just a foodborne illness; Turtles and other reptiles carry the bacteria salmonella that can be easily transmitted to humans. A small turtle can seem harmless and give parents the false feeling that it is a safe pet for children. But the risk of disease is so great that the sale of small turtles is illegal in the United States. (See below.) If you get a turtle and then decide that you can not take care of the animal, there are not many options.
Rescue groups are inundated with calls to take them away. People sometimes let turtles go because they think they are “freeing them,” but it`s generally illegal to release turtles outside. Released turtles could die and carry diseases that kill other turtles. If they are alive, they can compete with native species for food and habitat and threaten native biodiversity. Red-eared turtles, which are common in the pet trade, are native to only part of the United States, but appear where they are not native throughout the country and around the world. They are now among the 100 most invasive species in the world. Get your pet turtle from a reputable pet store or pet shelter. Turtles are often marketed as low-maintenance pets, but the truth is that they need special care and plenty of space to grow.
Turtles will not survive in a small bowl with a plastic palm tree. You need the right lighting, temperature and water filtration system. Countless pet turtles die because they are kept in inadequate conditions. Turtles sent by mail and other delivery services often die along the way. The sale of small turtles – whose shells are less than four inches long – was banned in 1975 to prevent the spread of salmonella. The CDC says the ban “likely remains the most effective public health measure to prevent turtle-associated salmonellosis.” Some sellers attempt to circumvent the law by using the exemptions for legitimate scientific and educational purposes. But just saying that the turtle is used for training or offering it for free with the sale of a shell does not make it legal. In addition, some states and places prohibit the possession of turtles. Call your local shelter or animal control to learn more about turtle ownership laws. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) enforces the ban on the sale of small turtles and has this advice for consumers: Do not buy small turtles for pets. It`s an all-too-common story: someone fishing, boating, or hiking finds a turtle and thinks, “What a cute animal! It would be a great pet.
Without thinking about it, they take it home. and far from its population, which is probably already struggling to survive. Can I keep a wild turtle as a pet? No. First and foremost, it is illegal for the public to possess native wildlife. Only approved institutions such as zoos, nature centres and educational or research establishments are exempt from this law. In order for anyone to legally keep a turtle species found in the wild in Connecticut, regardless of how long the turtle(s) were present, they must be able to provide documentation proving that the animal was legally acquired from a captive population, such as a turtle purchased from a qualified breeder. A violation of this law is a Class 3 offense and is punishable by fines and/or imprisonment. If you see a turtle trying to cross the road and there is traffic and you are concerned that it will be injured, you can move that turtle. Help him across the street. Pay attention to the direction it takes.
You may be able to help him get to safety without being hit by a car. But again, don`t really move this turtle. Many of them have territories of origin and if you remove them from the area they are used to, they may not be able to find food or the right environment to live in. To protect your health, the land and animals, please do not take a turtle as a pet! Is the law different for Snapping Turtles? As native wild animals, snapper falls under the general rules mentioned above. They are often ingested as adorable tiny juveniles, but grow quickly out of their greeting, outlive humans, and are capable of inflicting a harmful bite within months of hatching. However, continuing a 300+ year history, there is still a season for Snapping Turtles in our state, but only for personal consumption; In 2018, a law was passed banning the sale of Snapping Turtles. The removal of snapper during this season is subject to pocket and size restrictions and may require approval or licensing depending on the method of fishing. Snapping turtle eggs cannot be picked up or nests disturbed. Further information can be found at the following link: portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Hunting/Snapping-Turtle-Regulations. It`s an all-too-common mistake for people to assume that keeping turtles and turtles is illegal in the state of New Jersey. Over the years, rumors have spread mainly due to misleading information about New Jersey`s laws on the subject. I created this particular page to clarify things a bit and properly inform others about the truth.
Unfortunately, regulations have changed dramatically in various states, due to the disappearance of wild turtle populations.