The law in Minnesota
Minnesota residents need both an angling licence and a recreational turtle licence to take or keep wild turtles, and only western painted and snapping turtles may be collected. Keeping any other turtle species requires an aquatic farm or private fish hatchery licence with a turtle endorsement, unless you bought the turtle at a retail outlet. Nothing may be released.
Selling. Commercial harvest of wild turtles ended in 2023. Wild caught turtles are for personal use and may not be resold. Only licensed aquatic farms or hatcheries with a turtle endorsement may sell, breed or possess turtle eggs. No state codification of the 4 inch rule found, though turtle race rules reference 4 inches.
Keeping. A resident angling licence plus a $25 recreational turtle licence is required to possess wild turtles; non-residents are not eligible. Buying a turtle at a retail outlet is exempt. Other turtle species, including spiny softshells, may not be possessed without an aquatic farm or hatchery licence with a turtle endorsement. Under 16s may keep up to 3 snapping or painted turtles.
Wild turtles. Only western painted turtles (4 to 5.5 inch shell) and snapping turtles (over 12 inches) may be taken, up to 3 of each. Traps, nets other than landing nets, firearms, bows, spears and chemicals are banned. Eggs may not be collected from nests without a permit. All other species are closed.
Release. Turtles held under the licence exemptions may not be released into the wild (Minn. Stat. 97C.605 subd. 2c).
Who to ask. Minnesota 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: Minn. Stat. 97C.605 Turtles (Office of the Revisor of Statutes) (Minn. Stat. 97C.605); Minnesota Rules 6256.0500 Taking Turtles (Minn. R. 6256.0500); Notice of submission, amendments to rules governing taking turtles, Minnesota DNR (2024) (Minn. R. 6256.0500, 6256.0600, 6256.0900); Turtles, Minnesota DNR (Minn. Stat. 97C.605). 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
- Avian and Exotic Medical CenterMinneapolis, Minnesota
Exotics only practice listing reptile and amphibian health, avian care, fish medicine and small mammals. Appointments are booked online or by phone; the site does not name turtles or tortoises specifically. 612-707-7223.
- Lexington Pet ClinicEagan, Minnesota
Small animal clinic with an ARAV member veterinarian. Its exotic resources page gives care guides for reptiles including bearded dragons, leopard and sulcata tortoises and crested geckos, plus guinea pigs and rabbits. 651-452-5450.
- Valley View Veterinary ClinicBurnsville, Minnesota
Clinic that sees dogs, cats, birds, reptiles and exotic animals and has an ARAV member veterinarian. Turtles and tortoises are not named on the site, so call to confirm. 952-432-9661.
Rescues and adoption
- Minnesota Herpetological SocietyRoseville, Minnesota
Volunteer-run society with a foster and adoption program for reptiles and amphibians. Aquatic turtles are taken only at intake events a few times a year, and animals are adopted out to current members at general meetings. Ships: adopts to members at meetings in Minnesota.
Breeders and stores
- Twin Cities ReptilesSt. Paul, Minnesota
Reptile store on University Avenue in St. Paul open seven days a week, selling live animals, dry goods and feeders, with the most current inventory kept in the store. The site does not list turtles or tortoises specifically. Ships: local pickup only. 651-647-4479.
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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