The law in Kentucky
Kentucky lets you keep up to five wild-caught individuals of each native turtle species for personal use without a permit, but you cannot buy or sell wild-caught native turtles and alligator snapping turtles are prohibited outright. Keeping more than five of a species, or any commercial dealing, needs a captive wildlife permit. Snapping and softshell turtles are taken under fishing or hunting licence rules instead.
Selling. A person shall not buy, sell, trade or barter wild-obtained native wildlife. Selling captive native wildlife requires a commercial captive wildlife permit, renewed annually. Snapping and softshell turtles may not be taken for commercial purposes. Shipments of reptiles into Kentucky need a transportation permit. No state codification of the 4-inch rule found.
Keeping. Up to five of each native reptile species may be possessed for personal use without a permit. A noncommercial captive wildlife permit allows more, provided no more than five of each species are wild-caught. Alligator snapping turtle, Kirtland's snake and copperbelly water snake are prohibited species; animals legally held before April 4, 2023 may be kept for life but not bred, transferred or replaced.
Wild turtles. Wild-captured animals must be taken under a valid hunting or trapping licence where applicable. Common snapping, smooth softshell and spiny softshell turtles may be taken year-round with a sport fishing licence (hand, hook and line, approved traps) or hunting licence (gun or bow); traps must be checked daily and non-target animals released unharmed.
Release. 301 KAR 2:081 has no general release provision for reptiles; only confiscated wildlife may be released by the department. No specific rule found; releasing pets is still a bad idea.
Who to ask. Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Federal law bars the sale of any turtle under 4 inches as a pet everywhere; see the 4-inch rule.
Sources: 301 KAR 2:081 Transportation and holding of live native wildlife (301 KAR 2:081 Sections 2, 3, 6, 7); 301 KAR 1:058 Taking of snapping turtles and softshell turtles (301 KAR 1:058). 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
- Crestwood Animal HospitalCrestwood, Kentucky
AAHA accredited practice near Louisville serving dogs, cats and exotics. 502-241-4117.
Rescues and adoption
No rescue listed in Kentucky yet. National groups on the rescues page take surrenders from any state.
Breeders and stores
No breeder or store listed in Kentucky 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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