The law in California
Native reptiles, including the western pond turtle, may not be collected, kept or sold, but red-eared sliders, painted turtles and spiny softshells may be caught with a sport fishing licence. Snapping turtles are restricted and need a department permit. Desert tortoises need a state permit and tag. Releasing any captive turtle into the wild requires written approval.
Selling. Native reptiles may not be purchased, sold or displayed for sale in pet shops (14 CCR 40). Restricted species such as snapping turtles may not be imported, transported or possessed without a department permit. No state size rule was found beyond the federal 4-inch rule.
Keeping. All snapping turtles (family Chelydridae) are restricted and need a permit under 14 CCR 671. Desert tortoises may be possessed only under a department permit and tag, and transfer needs prior approval (14 CCR 674). Native turtles may not be possessed except for the three species that can be taken under a sport fishing licence. Cities and counties may add their own restrictions.
Wild turtles. It is unlawful to capture, possess or sell native reptiles (14 CCR 40). The exception is 14 CCR 5.60: painted turtles, pond sliders and spiny softshells may be taken year-round by hook and line with no limit under a sport fishing licence, but not in ecological reserves, state parks or national parks.
Release. Captive reptiles, whether wild-caught or captive-bred, may not be released into the wild without the department's written approval (14 CCR 40(e)). Releasing any non-native animal also requires Fish and Game Commission permission (14 CCR 671.6).
Who to ask. California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Federal law bars the sale of any turtle under 4 inches as a pet everywhere; see the 4-inch rule.
Sources: Cal. Code Regs. tit. 14, section 40 General Provisions Relating to Native Reptiles and Amphibians (14 CCR 40); Cal. Code Regs. tit. 14, section 5.60 Turtles (14 CCR 5.60); Cal. Code Regs. tit. 14, section 671 Importation, Transportation and Possession of Live Restricted Animals (14 CCR 671(c)); Cal. Code Regs. tit. 14, section 674 Permits to Possess Desert Tortoises (14 CCR 674); Cal. Code Regs. tit. 14, section 671.6 Release of Animals into the Wild (14 CCR 671.6). Last checked November 5, 2026. Our confidence in this summary: high. This is a plain-English reading, not legal advice; the agency has the final word.
Reptile vets
- Avian and Exotic Animal HospitalSan Diego, California
Exotics practice in San Diego whose treated species include reptiles and amphibians, birds and small mammals. 619-260-1412.
- Bay Area Bird and Exotics HospitalSan Francisco, California
Bird and exotics hospital that treats reptiles including turtles, tortoises, lizards and non venomous snakes, as well as birds and small mammals. 415-566-4359.
- Exotic Animal Veterinary CenterPasadena, California
Practice dedicated exclusively to rabbits, birds, reptiles and small mammals, with preventive and urgent care. Appointments can be requested online. 626-405-1777.
Rescues and adoption
- California Turtle and Tortoise ClubChino, California
Club founded in 1964 with 13 chapters across southern and central California that place abandoned, seized or surrendered turtles and tortoises, including permitted desert tortoises, with screened adopters. Adoptions are for California residents only and are handled by the nearest chapter. Ships: adopts within California only.
- Joshua Tree Reptile HavenOnyx, California
Nonprofit tortoise and turtle sanctuary that takes in displaced, injured and endangered animals for lifelong care and publishes care and housing information. No adoption program is described on the site. 760-499-4723.
- Northern California Herpetological SocietySacramento, California
Nonprofit society that fosters and adopts out turtles and tortoises, with sulcata tortoises and red-eared sliders listed and applications taken through its website and Petfinder. The site suggests people outside the Sacramento area look for a closer group. Ships: adopts in the Sacramento area.
- San Diego Turtle and Tortoise SocietySantee, California
All-volunteer nonprofit that has rescued, rehabilitated and adopted out turtles and tortoises for over 40 years, with monthly public meetings, adoption events in Balboa Park and an annual show. Mailing address is in Santee. Ships: local adoption only.
Breeders and stores
- East Bay VivariumBerkeley, California
Specialty reptile shop, working vivarium and boarding facility open daily in Berkeley since 1970, stocking snakes, lizards, tortoises and spiders and offering rescue and rehoming help. Ships: local pickup only. 510-841-1400.
- 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.
- Prehistoric PetsFountain Valley, California
Exotic reptile store open daily in Fountain Valley that sells animals in store only and does not ship. The site does not list turtles or tortoises specifically. Ships: local pickup only.
Sellers that ship here
- 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.
Missing someone?
Clinics, rescues and breeders can be added free. We check each one before it goes up. Submit a listing, or see every state.
