The law in Kansas
Kansas lets you take and keep native turtles year-round for personal, noncommercial use, but no more than five reptiles in total and no more than two of any one species per person or household. Northern map turtles are threatened and alligator snapping turtles are a species in need of conservation, so leave both alone. Non-native turtles may be kept without limit but must never be released.
Selling. K.A.R. 115-20-2 allows taking native reptiles only for personal use on a noncommercial basis and does not authorise sale. Exotic (non-native) wildlife may be imported, possessed and sold if legally obtained at origin. No state codification of the 4-inch rule found.
Keeping. No more than five reptiles and no more than two individuals of any reptile species per person or domicile, whichever is reached first, excluding common snapping and softshell turtles, which are covered by other rules. Legally taken animals may be kept without limit in time. Exotic wildlife may be possessed without limit in time and number.
Wild turtles. Open season on native reptiles and amphibians (other than snappers, softshells, threatened species and species in need of conservation) is year-round, by hand, net, trap and other listed methods. Northern map turtle is threatened under K.A.R. 115-15-1; alligator snapping turtle is listed under K.A.R. 115-15-2. Listed species caught incidentally must be released immediately. Check licence requirements with KDWP.
Release. Exotic wildlife shall be confined or controlled at all times and shall not be released onto the lands or into the waters of the state. No rule found on releasing native turtles; releasing pets is still a bad idea.
Who to ask. Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. Federal law bars the sale of any turtle under 4 inches as a pet everywhere; see the 4-inch rule.
Sources: K.A.R. 115-20-2 Certain wildlife; legal equipment, taking methods, possession, and license requirement (K.A.R. 115-20-2); K.A.R. 115-20-3 Exotic wildlife; possession, sale and requirements (K.A.R. 115-20-3); K.A.R. 115-15-1 Threatened and endangered species (K.A.R. 115-15-1); K.A.R. 115-15-2 Nongame species; general provisions (K.A.R. 115-15-2). 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
- Kansas State University Veterinary Health CenterManhattan, Kansas
University teaching hospital with a zoo, exotics, wildlife and avian medicine and surgery service. Phone listed is the small animal desk. 785-532-5690.
Rescues and adoption
No rescue listed in Kansas yet. National groups on the rescues page take surrenders from any state.
Breeders and stores
No breeder or store listed in Kansas 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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