The law in Florida
Florida bans new pet red-eared sliders; only sliders owned before July 1, 2007 or albino and other aberrant-colour animals are allowed without a permit. You may take one common native turtle a day for personal use but never sell wild-caught turtles, and many species are fully protected. Releasing any non-native animal is illegal.
Selling. No person may buy, sell or possess for sale turtles, eggs or parts taken from the wild (68A-25.002(6)(c)). Alligator snapping turtles and diamondback terrapins may not be sold. Red-eared sliders may be sold only by permitted dealers or certified aquaculturists for out-of-state or permitted buyers.
Keeping. Red-eared sliders are a conditional species: pets owned before July 1, 2007 and aberrant-colour animals are exempt, but sliders under four inches need a permit. Possession limits are two box turtles, two loggerhead musk turtles and two Escambia map turtles. Alligator snapping turtles and diamondback terrapins may not be possessed without a permit, and gopher tortoises need an FWC permit.
Wild turtles. One turtle per person per day may be taken for noncommercial use by hand, dip net, minnow seine or baited hook; eggs may not be taken. No take of snapping turtles, cooters, Escambia map turtles, alligator snapping turtles, Barbour's map turtles, Suwannee cooters or diamondback terrapins. Softshells and yellow-bellied sliders currently may not be taken under Executive Order 21-19.
Release. FWC rule 68-5.001 prohibits releasing any non-native animal in Florida. Unwanted pets can be surrendered through the Exotic Pet Amnesty Program.
Who to ask. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Federal law bars the sale of any turtle under 4 inches as a pet everywhere; see the 4-inch rule.
Sources: FWC: Freshwater Turtles (regulations summary) (Fla. Admin. Code 68A-25.002); Fla. Admin. Code 68A-25.002 General Provisions for Taking, Possession and Sale of Reptiles (Fla. Admin. Code 68A-25.002(6), (7)); Fla. Admin. Code 68-5.004 Conditional Non-Native Species (red-eared slider) (Fla. Admin. Code 68-5.004). 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
- Broward Avian and Exotic Animal HospitalDeerfield Beach, Florida
Exotics practice in south Florida offering wellness, diagnostics and treatment for reptiles, small mammals, birds and other exotic pets. 954-968-7171.
- Exotic Animal Hospital of OrlandoOrlando, Florida
Exotics-only hospital whose species pages include turtles and tortoises, lizards, snakes, amphibians, birds and small mammals. 407-286-3484.
- Forever VetsJacksonville, Florida
Veterinary group offering exotic pet care, including reptiles, pocket pets and birds, at selected hospitals in the Jacksonville area and elsewhere in Florida. Check which location has an exotics vet.
- University of Florida Small Animal Hospital, Zoological MedicineGainesville, Florida
University teaching hospital service for exotic and non domestic animals. Reptiles seen include tortoises, including giant species, bearded dragons, iguanas and snakes. 352-392-2235.
Rescues and adoption
No rescue listed in Florida yet. National groups on the rescues page take surrenders from any state.
Breeders and stores
- Big Apple HerpBoynton Beach, Florida
Online reptile retailer operating since 1993 under Big Apple Pet Supply, with a tortoises and turtles category and overnight delivery of live animals. Reptiles carry a 3-day health guarantee when signed for on the first delivery attempt; states served and any FDA 4-inch statement were not shown on the pages read. 561-397-3977.
- Florida Iguana and Tortoise BreedersDavie, Florida
Tortoise and iguana farm selling Aldabra, sulcata, Galapagos, red-footed, star and black mountain tortoises as hatchlings, sub-adults and adults. Its terms state that tortoises 4 inches and over are pet shop size and tortoises under 4 inches are not sold as pets, and some iguana species require proof of Florida residency.
- 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.
- Shadow's ReptilesMiami, Florida
Miami breeding program and animal encounter business that grew from a sulcata tortoise and sells captive-born tortoises, turtles, snakes and lizards. Live animals ship priority overnight, usually on Tuesdays, with a live arrival guarantee and a 1-month health guarantee; states served and any FDA 4-inch statement were not shown on the pages read. 786-584-0533.
- 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.
- Underground ReptilesDeerfield Beach, Florida
Large online reptile seller with turtle and tortoise categories, including captive-bred painted turtles, that ships all animal orders overnight with a live, visibly healthy arrival guarantee and also sells supplies and feeders. Its site does not show a street address; third-party listings place its retail store in Deerfield Beach. No FDA 4-inch statement or list of states served was found on the pages read. 954-428-8005.
- 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.
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.
- 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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