The law in Michigan
In Michigan you need a fishing licence to collect turtles for personal use, and the seasons and limits are set in the DNR fishing regulations. Blanding's, spotted, wood and eastern box turtles cannot be taken or kept without DNR Director authorisation. Wild reptiles may not be bought or sold, and turtles under 4 inches may only be sold with a health advisory sheet.
Selling. Taking reptiles for commercial purposes is prohibited (MCL 324.48705) and wild caught reptiles may not be bought, sold or offered for sale. State law separately bars selling live turtles under 4 inches or viable turtle eggs unless the buyer receives a health advisory sheet (MCL 287.312).
Keeping. Blanding's, spotted, wood and eastern box turtles may not be possessed without DNR Director authorisation. Possession limits for wild caught turtles are 4 snapping or softshell turtles combined (no more than 2 of either) and 6 other turtles combined (no more than 2 of any one species). No state permit found for non-native pet turtles.
Wild turtles. A fishing licence is required. Snapping turtles: July 15 to September 15, 13 inch minimum carapace, 2 per day. Painted, musk, map and red-eared sliders: open all year, 3 per day combined, no more than 1 of any species. All reptile eggs are protected. Hand, traps (up to 3, tagged), nets and hook and line allowed; no firearms or set lines.
Release. No specific rule found; releasing pets is still a bad idea.
Who to ask. Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Federal law bars the sale of any turtle under 4 inches as a pet everywhere; see the 4-inch rule.
Sources: Michigan Fishing Regulations, Amphibians and Reptiles (eRegulations, DNR digest) (Michigan DNR Fisheries Order on reptiles and amphibians); MCL 324.48705 Reptiles, amphibians, mollusks, crustaceans (Michigan Legislature) (MCL 324.48705); MCL 287.312 Sale of turtles under 4 inches, health advisory (Michigan Legislature) (MCL 287.312). 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
- All Creatures Animal ClinicAnn Arbor, Michigan
Full service hospital specialising in the care of dogs, cats and exotic species. By appointment only. 734-973-1884.
- Parkway Small Animal and Exotic HospitalClinton Township, Michigan
General practice with an exotic animal care service covering small mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and amphibians. Appointments are made by phone and the clinic asks for patient forms before the visit. 586-416-8800.
Rescues and adoption
- Genesis Reptile RescueElmira, Michigan
Rescue that rehomes reptiles and amphibians in northern Michigan and beyond and promotes proper husbandry, contacted by email. The site does not name turtles or tortoises and its most recent date is 2023. Ships: adopts in northern Michigan.
Breeders and stores
No breeder or store listed in Michigan 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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