Are they legal to own I saw a place selling two but I thought they were endangered?
Spotted turtles?
- Thread starter RayRay
- Start date
It depends on where you live. They are illegal in the states where they are native. Other states have different laws. Here in Louisiana where I live, there are no laws whatsoever about spotted turtles! Actually there is one law: if I had spotted turtles it would be illegal for me to sell them to anyone residing in a state where their ownership is banned. 
Since you're in Texas, they may well be legal. Check with your state agriculture extension agent re Texas laws on spotted turtles.
Since you're in Texas, they may well be legal. Check with your state agriculture extension agent re Texas laws on spotted turtles.
It depends on where you live. They are illegal in the states where they are native. Other states have different laws. Here in Louisiana where I live, there are no laws whatsoever about spotted turtles! Actually there is one law: if I had spotted turtles it would be illegal for me to sell them to anyone residing in a state where their ownership is banned.
Since you're in Texas, they may well be legal. Check with your state agriculture extension agent re Texas laws on spotted turtles.
Oh ok thanks
that's good to know.I thought they only did crops and cattle (goats pigs cows etc etc)
The information from them may be spotty: the Agent in my county is clueless about turtles, but the Agent in the next county over is very knowledgable and is a herpetology fan!
Actually, it may have been the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries that gave me the info-
Not all states, but most. So, this is a good rule of thumb to keep in mind, but not entirely true.
Thanks for setting the record straight, Anthony!!!!Not all states, but most. So, this is a good rule of thumb to keep in mind, but not entirely true.
Hahaha, thanks to CT and FL... I'm not an expert on each state's laws, but I do know a good amount about CT law, since I live there
tctpa523
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I was told by an importer I know that with captive bred spotted turtles, you can own them (at least in Florida) with no paperwork, but in order to be able to export any babies you produce, you must have a bill of sale from a breeder for any of your adults. Mine all came from a breeder in Texas, I believe you can legally own them there. I had him write me a detailed bill of sale. Not sure about other states' laws.
Not all states, but most. So, this is a good rule of thumb to keep in mind, but not entirely true.
That's almost a pretty good.. just about rule that can be followed more often than not.. some times!
