The law in Massachusetts
Most turtle species can be kept in Massachusetts without a permit, up to 100 per species. Red-eared sliders, spotted turtles, gopher and pancake tortoises and any state listed species are the exceptions and need a permit. Only two wild reptiles may be kept per person, snapping turtles need a fishing licence and a 12 inch minimum, and nothing may be released.
Selling. Reptiles taken from the wild may not be sold. Pet turtles on the exemption list may be sold if they came from a lawful source. No state rule found on the 4 inch size beyond the federal FDA rule.
Keeping. No permit for turtles on the 321 CMR 9.01 exemption list, limited to 100 animals or eggs per species. A permit is required for red-eared sliders (all forms), spotted turtles, Gopherus and pancake tortoises, Chaco tortoises and any species listed under 321 CMR 10.90 (including Blanding's, bog, box, wood and diamondback terrapin).
Wild turtles. Unlisted reptiles may be taken by hand or dip net year round with a possession limit of two. Spotted turtles and all endangered, threatened or special concern species are closed. Snapping turtles need a fishing licence, a 12 inch carapace minimum, a two per day and two in possession limit, and are closed May 1 to July 16.
Release. No turtle may be released without a liberation permit under 321 CMR 2.15, and no reptiles are on the approved liberation list. Exempt pet species may be imported but not liberated.
Who to ask. Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife). Federal law bars the sale of any turtle under 4 inches as a pet everywhere; see the 4-inch rule.
Sources: 321 CMR 9.01 Exemption List (Cornell LII) (321 CMR 9.01(10)(a)); 321 CMR 3.05 Taking of Reptiles and Amphibians (Cornell LII) (321 CMR 3.05); 321 CMR 2.15 Importation, Liberation and Transportation (Cornell LII) (321 CMR 2.15); Wildlife as pets, MassWildlife (321 CMR 9.01). 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
- MSPCA-Angell Animal Medical Center, Avian and Exotic MedicineBoston, Massachusetts
Avian and exotic medicine service at a large animal medical center, with daily appointment hours. 617-989-1561.
- Tufts Foster Hospital for Small AnimalsNorth Grafton, Massachusetts
University teaching hospital providing specialty care for dogs, cats and exotic pets. Specialty services are by appointment after a referral from a veterinarian. 508-839-5395.
Rescues and adoption
- Turtle Rescue LeagueSouthbridge, Massachusetts
Licensed native turtle rehabilitation clinic and nonprofit in Massachusetts that treats injured native and pet turtles, runs an egg incubation program and places unreleasable turtles through an adoption application. Ships: local adoption only.
Breeders and stores
- Jabberwock ReptilesStoneham, Massachusetts
Reptile shop open Tuesday to Sunday that sells turtles and tortoises, bearded dragons, geckos, snakes, amphibians and invertebrates, and offers services such as nail trimming. Ships: local pickup only.
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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