The law in Louisiana
Louisiana bans all commercial use of native turtles and caps personal possession of restricted native turtles at ten in any combination, no more than two of a species, with only one alligator snapping turtle. Box turtles are restricted, so two is the limit. Collecting wild turtles needs a basic fishing licence, and releasing any captive turtle, native or not, is illegal without a permit.
Selling. Buying, selling, trading, importing or exporting native turtles, their eggs or parts is prohibited, except for licensed LDAF turtle farmers with turtles acquired legally before the rule or legally imported with records. Commercial collecting of native reptiles needs a Reptile and Amphibian Collector's Licence; dealers need a Wholesale/Retail Dealer's Licence. No state size limit for turtle sales found beyond the federal rule.
Keeping. No person may possess more than ten restricted native turtles in any combination or more than two of any one species. Alligator snapping turtle: one per person per day and possession of one. Prohibited turtles (gopher tortoise, sea turtles, ringed and Pearl River map turtles, Mississippi diamondback terrapin, stripe-necked musk turtle, chicken turtles) require a scientific, exhibition or educational permit.
Wild turtles. Recreational collection and possession needs a basic recreational fishing licence; collecting on WMAs needs a WMA access permit and a reptile/amphibian WMA use permit. Collecting eggs of any native turtle and disturbing gopher tortoise burrows is prohibited. Captive breeding of native turtles is prohibited except by licensed farms.
Release. Releasing captive or wild native or non-native reptiles and amphibians within the state is unlawful unless approved and permitted by the department. Releasing captive turtles of any age or species is unlawful without a permit. Nuisance control operators may not relocate red-eared sliders, and landowners may not transport or release them.
Who to ask. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Federal law bars the sale of any turtle under 4 inches as a pet everywhere; see the 4-inch rule.
Sources: LAC 76:XV.101 Reptiles and Amphibians, Recreational and Commercial Harvests; Prohibitions (LAC 76:XV.101(B), (G), (J)). 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
- LSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Zoological MedicineBaton Rouge, Louisiana
University teaching hospital with a zoological medicine service for exotic pets and a separate wildlife service. Phone listed is for pets and small exotics. 225-578-9600.
Rescues and adoption
- Louisiana Exotic Animal Resource NetworkElm Grove, Louisiana
Nonprofit licensed wildlife rehabilitation center and exotic pet rescue that takes surrenders of small exotic pets, rehabilitates reptiles and amphibians and offers an adoption application. The site does not name turtles or tortoises specifically. Ships: local adoption only.
Breeders and stores
No breeder or store listed in Louisiana 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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