The law in Georgia
Most native Georgia turtles cannot be kept as pets, including box turtles, map turtles, spotted turtles, bog turtles, diamondback terrapins, gopher tortoises and alligator snapping turtles. Common pet-store species are not on the state wild animal list, apart from African helmeted and Chinese softshell turtles, which now need a licence. Keeping more than ten native freshwater turtles needs a commercial turtle permit.
Selling. Selling, holding for sale or distributing live native freshwater turtles under 4 inches carapace length, or their viable eggs, is unlawful unless exported or permitted. Collecting native turtle eggs from the wild is prohibited. Commercial turtle farms need a $50 annual permit and a commercial fishing licence.
Keeping. Native species listed by DNR Law Enforcement, including all box turtles, map turtles, spotted, bog, diamondback terrapin, gopher tortoise, alligator snapper and sea turtles, may not be held as pets regardless of origin. More than ten native freshwater turtles requires a commercial turtle farming permit. African helmeted and Chinese softshell turtles need a wild animal licence, which is not issued for pets.
Wild turtles. Most native wildlife cannot be held without permits, and permits are not issued for keeping native wildlife as pets. Turtles on the state protected list cannot be collected or possessed without a licence. Nuisance permit holders may hold turtles for up to 72 hours.
Release. Rule 391-4-16 only addresses release by nuisance wildlife permit holders, who may release turtles alive within their native range in the drainage where captured. No general rule for pet owners found; releasing pets is still a bad idea.
Who to ask. Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (Special Permit Unit 770-918-6408). Federal law bars the sale of any turtle under 4 inches as a pet everywhere; see the 4-inch rule.
Sources: Georgia DNR Law Enforcement: Laws Related to Native Wildlife (O.C.G.A. Title 27); Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. Subject 391-4-16, Fresh-Water Turtle Regulations (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 391-4-16-.03); Georgia DNR: Rules Pertaining to Wild Animals (O.C.G.A. 27-5-4, 27-5-5); Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. Subject 391-4-8, Wild Animals (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 391-4-8-.05). 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 Hospital of GeorgiaPooler, Georgia
Exotics practice near Savannah. Its care sheets cover aquatic turtles, box turtles, bearded dragons, geckos, snakes and other reptiles as well as birds and small mammals. 912-348-3924.
- University of Georgia Veterinary Teaching HospitalAthens, Georgia
University teaching hospital that lists exotic animals among the patients it cares for, alongside dogs, cats, horses and farm animals.
Rescues and adoption
- Georgia Reptile SocietyStatewide, Georgia
Statewide reptile society with a surrender and adoption program whose application covers box turtles, aquatic turtles and several tortoise species. Adopters must be 18 or older. Ships: adopts within Georgia.
Breeders and stores
No breeder or store listed in Georgia 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.
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.
