The law in Mississippi
Mississippi treats native turtles as nongame wildlife. With a hunting or fishing licence you may keep up to 10 native turtles, no more than 4 of any one species, plus limited snapping and softshell turtles. No wild turtles may be taken April 1 to June 30, turtle eggs are fully protected, and wild caught animals can never be sold.
Selling. Wild caught nongame wildlife may not be bought, sold, bartered or exhibited. Only animals hatched at a facility with a Mississippi Commercial Captive Propagation Permit may be sold, with an invoice showing the permit number. Captive breeding of alligator snapping turtles needs a specific permit. Commercial importers need a $500 permit.
Keeping. A resident Sportsman's, All Game Hunting/Freshwater Fishing or Small Game Hunting/Freshwater Fishing licence is required. Limits: 10 nongame turtles, no more than 4 per species; 4 per licence year combined of common snapping, smooth and spiny softshell; 1 alligator snapping turtle of 24 inches or more. Endangered species are excluded. No rule found on non-native pet turtles.
Wild turtles. Take is allowed within the possession limits above, with a daily bag of 1 for snapping and softshell turtles. No nongame turtles may be taken from the wild April 1 to June 30 without a permit. Taking, possessing or selling turtle or tortoise eggs is prohibited, and gopher tortoise burrows may not be gassed.
Release. Commercial importers may not release nongame wildlife. No specific rule found for private owners; releasing pets is still a bad idea.
Who to ask. Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. Federal law bars the sale of any turtle under 4 inches as a pet everywhere; see the 4-inch rule.
Sources: 40 Miss. Code R. Part 5, Rule 2.3, Nongame species in need of management (Cornell LII) (40 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 5, R. 2.3); Rule 2.2 Regulations regarding turtles and tortoises, MDWFP (40 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 5, R. 2.2); Information on harvest of turtles and other non-game wildlife, MDWFP (40 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 5, Ch. 2). 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 Animal ClinicHattiesburg, Mississippi
General practice whose site carries pet care information for exotics including reptiles, lizards, turtles, birds and small mammals. Call to confirm reptile appointments. 601-268-8880.
Rescues and adoption
- Central Mississippi Turtle RescueFlorence, Mississippi
Permitted wildlife rehabilitator and nonprofit that treats injured or abandoned turtles and tortoises, releases native wild turtles and rehomes non-native or unreleasable turtles to qualified applicants. A second facility is in Southaven. Ships: adopts within Mississippi. 662-985-3535.
Breeders and stores
No breeder or store listed in Mississippi 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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