The law in Missouri
Missouri residents may keep up to five native turtles taken from the wild without a permit, but not alligator snapping turtles or endangered species, and they may never be sold or shipped out of state. Non-native turtles may be bought, sold and kept without a permit. Snapping and softshell turtles are also harvested under fishing rules with a daily limit of two.
Selling. Native turtles held under the five animal allowance may not be bought or sold, nor their shells or parts. Non-native reptiles may be bought, sold, possessed and exhibited without a permit (3 CSR 10-9.110(2)). Breeding or selling native turtles requires a Class I Wildlife Breeder permit. No state codification of the 4 inch rule found.
Keeping. Residents may take and keep alive up to 5 specimens of any native turtle without a permit, except endangered species and alligator snapping turtles. Blanding's turtle, western chicken turtle and yellow mud turtle are state endangered (3 CSR 10-4.110(4)) and may not be held. Non-native turtles need no permit. Confined turtles must meet water and space standards in 3 CSR 10-9.220.
Wild turtles. Up to 5 native turtles per resident under the general allowance. Under fishing rules, common snapping and softshell turtles: 2 per day in aggregate, snappers year round, softshells July 1 to December 31, by hand, net, line or bow but not firearms (3 CSR 10-6.620). Alligator snapping turtles and endangered species are closed.
Release. No specific rule found for turtles; wildlife held under the five animal allowance may not be transported out of state. Releasing pets is still a bad idea.
Who to ask. Missouri Department of Conservation. Federal law bars the sale of any turtle under 4 inches as a pet everywhere; see the 4-inch rule.
Sources: 3 CSR 10-9 Wildlife Code: Confined Wildlife, Permits (Missouri Secretary of State, current) (3 CSR 10-9.110(1)(A) and (2)); 3 CSR 10-6 Wildlife Code: Sport Fishing, Seasons, Methods, Limits (Missouri Secretary of State, current) (3 CSR 10-6.620); 3 CSR 10-4 Wildlife Code: General Provisions (Missouri Secretary of State, current) (3 CSR 10-4.110(4)); Wildlife Code of Missouri, existing regulations index, MDC (3 CSR 10). 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
- Belton Animal Clinic and Exotic Care CenterBelton, Missouri
Clinic south of Kansas City with a dedicated exotic pet care service that sees scaled pets such as iguanas and bearded dragons; its veterinarian is an ARAV member. Turtles and tortoises are not named on the site. 816-331-3120.
- Divine Veterinary ClinicOzark, Missouri
Sees reptiles and amphibians including snakes, lizards, turtles and tortoises, frogs and salamanders. Does not see primates or venomous species; open weekdays only. 417-581-6210.
- Kansas City Veterinary CareKansas City, Missouri
Clinic in the Waldo area that treats birds, reptiles, ferrets and rabbits alongside dogs and cats, with two ARAV member veterinarians. Turtles and tortoises are not named on the site. 816-333-4330.
Rescues and adoption
No rescue listed in Missouri yet. National groups on the rescues page take surrenders from any state.
Breeders and stores
No breeder or store listed in Missouri 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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