The law in Arizona
Common pet turtles are not restricted, but all snapping turtles and all Gopherus tortoises, including the desert tortoise, are restricted live wildlife. You may keep a desert tortoise only through the state adoption program or if it was held before 1989, and you may never release one. Collecting native reptiles requires an Arizona hunting licence and the species limits in Commission Order 43.
Selling. Wildlife taken under a hunting licence may not be sold or used commercially. Restricted species need a special licence to import, sell or possess. No state size rule was found beyond the federal 4-inch rule.
Keeping. Restricted live wildlife under R12-4-406 includes all snapping turtles (family Chelydridae) and all Gopherus tortoises. Desert tortoises may be kept without a special licence only if lawfully held before April 28, 1989 or obtained through the department's Tortoise Adoption Program, within the limit set by Commission Order 43, and may not be bred without written authorisation.
Wild turtles. Native reptiles may be collected only under an Arizona hunting licence and only for species, seasons and bag limits set by Commission Order 43, which this review could not fetch; check it before collecting. Taking a desert tortoise from the wild is not allowed. Offspring count toward possession limits and must be given away or exported after 12 months.
Release. Releasing a desert tortoise into the wild is prohibited by R12-4-407. Other wildlife taken under a licence may be released only if it was never removed from the immediate area of capture, and captive-bred offspring may not be released. Owners leaving Arizona must give a desert tortoise to a resident or the adoption program.
Who to ask. Arizona Game and Fish Department. Federal law bars the sale of any turtle under 4 inches as a pet everywhere; see the 4-inch rule.
Sources: Ariz. Admin. Code R12-4-406 Restricted Live Wildlife (A.A.C. R12-4-406(H)(3)); Ariz. Admin. Code R12-4-407 Exemptions from Special License Requirements for Restricted Live Wildlife (A.A.C. R12-4-407(B)(1)); Ariz. Admin. Code R12-4-404 Possession of Live Wildlife Taken under an Arizona Hunting or Fishing License (A.A.C. R12-4-404). Last checked November 5, 2026. Our confidence in this summary: medium. This is a plain-English reading, not legal advice; the agency has the final word.
Reptile vets
- Exotic Pet Vets (Phoenix)Phoenix, Arizona
Exotics-only practice treating reptiles, amphibians, birds, small mammals, fish and invertebrates, open seven days a week. Formerly Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital, with Arizona locations in Phoenix, Mesa and Tucson. 623-243-5200.
Rescues and adoption
- Arizona Game and Fish Department Tortoise Adoption ProgramPhoenix, Arizona
State program that adopts out captive desert tortoises that cannot be released to the wild. Applications are accepted year round from Arizona residents, who must build a burrow and enclosure before applying, and adopted tortoises must stay in Arizona. Ships: adopts within Arizona only. 844-896-5730.
- Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Tortoise Adoption ProgramTucson, Arizona
State-sanctioned program that places unwanted or surplus captive Sonoran desert tortoises with qualified custodians in the Tucson area after a yard checklist and inspection. Adoptions run from April 1 to September 30 each year and sick animals are held for rehabilitation first. Ships: adopts in the Tucson area only. 520-883-3062.
- Phoenix Herpetological SocietyScottsdale, Arizona
Nonprofit reptile sanctuary in north Scottsdale focused on rescue, rehabilitation, relocation and education, with pet surrender intake and adoption days. Visits are by appointment. Ships: local adoption only. 480-513-4377.
Breeders and stores
No breeder or store listed in Arizona yet.
Sellers that ship here
- LLLReptile and SupplyOceanside, California
Reptile retailer with eight stores in California, Arizona and Nevada, including Oceanside, Escondido, Menifee, San Diego, Chandler, Glendale, Henderson and Las Vegas, that stocks tortoises and turtles along with other reptiles and supplies. Also sells and ships animals online. Ships: ships nationally; store pickup available. 760-439-8496.
- My Turtle StorePort Richey, Florida
Online seller of aquatic turtles, tortoises, food and supplies that says it has operated for over 40 years and changed ownership in late 2024. Live animals ship by air only within the contiguous United States and are held when forecast lows are below 38 F. No statement about the FDA 4-inch rule or animal sizes was found on the pages read. Ships: contiguous US only. 656-777-1509.
- Snakes at SunsetMiami, Florida
Online seller of captive-bred reptiles with a Miami address that lists turtles such as pink-bellied side-necks and Fly River turtles plus a tortoise category. Ships FedEx Priority Overnight to all states except Alaska, Hawaii and the District of Columbia, and its turtle page cites the federal rule against selling turtles under 4 inches, with 4 inch juveniles offered. Ships: all states except AK, HI and DC.
- XYZ ReptilesPalmetto Bay, Florida
Breeder and online retailer of captive-bred reptiles with turtle and tortoise categories, shipping overnight on Tuesdays and Wednesdays with a live arrival guarantee. Does not ship to Alaska, Hawaii or Puerto Rico, and its turtle page states that turtles and tortoises under 4 inches are offered for educational, scientific or export purposes only, not as pets. Ships: all states except AK and HI. 305-305-5998.
- New England Reptile DistributorsPlaistow, New Hampshire
Reptile breeder and shop known as NERD, with a facility in Plaistow that offers tours and sells pythons, boas, lizards and other animals in person and online with priority shipping. Its terms state that turtles and tortoises are sold for scientific or educational purposes only. Ships: ships nationally; pickup in Plaistow. 603-382-2772.
- Jungle Bob's Reptile WorldSelden, New York
Long Island reptile store open daily that sells tortoises, turtles, lizards, snakes, amphibians, feeders and supplies, with in-store pickup, local delivery and nationwide shipping of supplies. Ships: local pickup; ships supplies nationwide. 631-737-6474.
- Redfoot RanchAlice, Texas
Home-based breeder of red-footed and other tortoises and turtles, formerly in Wimauma, Florida and now in Alice, Texas, selling hatchlings and other sizes by mail order. Ships throughout the continental United States and to Alaska, with pickup possible near Corpus Christi, and its terms state that tortoises and turtles under 4 inches are offered for scientific or educational purposes only. Ships: continental US and AK. 727-421-5542.
- ReptmartOnline
Online seller of captive-bred reptiles only, with turtle and tortoise categories. Live animals ship FedEx Overnight Monday to Wednesday with a live arrival guarantee, not to Alaska, Hawaii or the District of Columbia, and its terms state that all turtles and tortoises under 4 inches are sold for scientific or educational purposes only. Ships: all states except AK, HI and DC.
- Reptile RaptureMonona, Wisconsin
Reptile store on Monona Drive near Madison open seven days a week, selling reptiles and invertebrates from its own breeding room plus supplies and feeders, with shipping available and a reptile rescue program. The site does not list turtles or tortoises specifically. Ships: ships nationally; pickup in Monona. 608-221-0094.
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