Turtles in Maryland

What the state allows, who can help, and the sellers that ship here.

Vets in Maryland

The law in Maryland

Maryland lets you keep one of each listed native turtle species without a permit, but wood turtles, spotted turtles and diamondback terrapins can never be taken from the wild. A Captive Reptile and Amphibian Permit is needed to keep more than one per species, any turtle under 4 inches, or to breed or sell natives. Non-native turtles need no permit.

Selling. Turtles under 4 inches cannot be sold in Maryland (COMAR 10.06.01.22). Selling, trading or breeding any Maryland native turtle requires a Captive Reptile and Amphibian Permit, and only captive bred or documented out of state animals may be sold. Wild caught Maryland turtles and List C species (bog turtle, northern map turtle, spiny softshell, sea turtles) cannot be sold.

Keeping. No permit for non-native turtles. Without a permit you may keep one individual of each List B native species (box, painted, mud, musk, red-bellied cooter, wood, spotted, terrapin). A $10 annual permit allows unlimited captive bred or documented animals. List C species may only be held under scientific or endangered species permits.

Wild turtles. You may take one individual of each List B species from the wild, except wood turtles, spotted turtles and diamondback terrapins, which may not be collected. Bog turtles, map turtles and spiny softshells are closed. Snapping turtles are managed under fishing rules (COMAR 08.02.06.01).

Release. Captive bred and non-native turtles may not be released. A wild caught turtle may be released only at the point of capture, and only if it was not housed with other reptiles or amphibians and was held 30 days or less, or with written DNR authorization.

Who to ask. Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Heritage Service. Federal law bars the sale of any turtle under 4 inches as a pet everywhere; see the 4-inch rule.

Sources: Captive Reptile and Amphibian Permit, Maryland DNR (COMAR 08.03.11); Md. Code Regs. 08.03.11, Reptile and Amphibian Possession and Permits (Cornell LII) (COMAR 08.03.11.04 to 08.03.11.10); Wild turtles should never be taken as pets, Maryland DNR news (2018) (COMAR 08.03.11). 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

Rescues and adoption

  • Jenn's Uncommon CrittersFrederick, Maryland

    Nonprofit rescue and education program for reptiles and invertebrates that lists adoptable animals on its site and adopts to Frederick County and surrounding areas. The site does not name turtles or tortoises specifically. Ships: adopts in the Frederick County area. 240-200-4505.

  • Mid-Atlantic Turtle and Tortoise SocietyHighland, Maryland

    All-volunteer nonprofit that fosters turtles and tortoises in members' homes and adopts them out through Petfinder listings, with rehoming and fostering help. Focus is the Mid-Atlantic states. Ships: adopts within the Mid-Atlantic region.

Breeders and stores

No breeder or store listed in Maryland 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.

Two map turtles basking on a log.
A pond covered in lily pads.