The law in Delaware
You may collect and keep one each of the common native turtles, such as a painted, box, mud, musk, snapping turtle or diamondback terrapin, without a permit; anything more needs a permit from the Division of Fish and Wildlife. Native wildlife may not be sold without a permit. A wild turtle kept more than 30 days may not be put back.
Selling. Buying, selling or offering native wildlife for sale requires a permit, unless written documentation shows the animal was legally taken in and shipped from another state. Captive-bred native wildlife may be sold only by permit holders with a signed bill of sale. No state size rule was found beyond the federal 4-inch rule.
Keeping. A permit is needed to remove a native reptile from the wild or to possess one, except that one individual each of the listed species, including diamondback terrapin, eastern box turtle, eastern mud turtle, eastern musk turtle, painted turtle and snapping turtle, may be kept without a permit (7 Del. Admin. Code 3900-15.2). The bog turtle is not on the list and is protected.
Wild turtles. Collection from the wild is limited to one individual per listed species per person without a permit. Breeding native wildlife in captivity requires a permit.
Release. It is unlawful to release a reptile back into the wild if it has been held in captivity for more than 30 days (3900-15.2.3). Captive-bred native wildlife may not be released.
Who to ask. Delaware DNREC Division 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: 7 Del. Admin. Code 3900-15.0 Possession, Collection or Sale of Native Wildlife (7 Del. Admin. Code 3900-15.0); 7 Del. Admin. Code 3900 Wildlife (table of contents) (7 Del. Admin. Code 3900); DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife (Agency page). 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
- Windcrest Animal HospitalWilmington, Delaware
Hospital with veterinarians who specialise in exotic pet care, seeing exotics including birds, small mammals and reptiles alongside dogs and cats. 302-998-2995.
Rescues and adoption
No rescue listed in Delaware yet. National groups on the rescues page take surrenders from any state.
Breeders and stores
No breeder or store listed in Delaware 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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