The law in New Hampshire
New Hampshire lets you keep up to two each of musk, painted and snapping turtles without a permit, and exotic turtles are non-controlled. Blanding's, eastern box, spotted and wood turtles are protected and cannot be taken or possessed, except turtles legally held since before 1996. Native turtles cannot be sold, and releasing them is regulated under Fis 800.
Selling. Selling native reptiles, their eggs or parts is prohibited. The only exceptions are dead snapping turtles raised out of state and sold as food with a bill of sale, and dead specimens obtained out of state for education. No state codification of the 4 inch rule found.
Keeping. Exotic (non-native) turtles are non-controlled and need no permit (Fis 804.02). Up to 2 each of musk, painted and snapping turtles may be kept by an individual. Blanding's, eastern box, spotted and wood turtles are controlled and only exhibitors, or people who held them continuously since before January 1, 1996, may hold them (Fis 804.05, 804.07).
Wild turtles. Hand capture only, 2 reptiles per day, possession limit twice the daily limit. No taking of native turtles May 15 to July 15. Snapping turtles only if under 6 inches or 12 to 15 inches of carapace. Spotted, Blanding's, wood and eastern box turtles and their eggs may not be taken.
Release. Importation, possession and release of reptiles are governed by Fis Chapter 800, and the state encourages leaving wild turtles where they are. No specific release text was found; releasing pets is still a bad idea.
Who to ask. New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. Federal law bars the sale of any turtle under 4 inches as a pet everywhere; see the 4-inch rule.
Sources: N.H. Admin. Code Fis 804.05 Controlled Species, Possession (Cornell LII) (Fis 804.05); N.H. Admin. Code Fis 804.02 Non-controlled Species, Possession (Cornell LII) (Fis 804.02); N.H. Admin. Code Fis 804.07 Prior Possession of Wildlife (Cornell LII) (Fis 804.07(b)); Other Nongame Wildlife, New Hampshire Hunting Digest (eRegulations) (Fis 1401.03). 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
- Canobie Lake Veterinary HospitalWindham, New Hampshire
AAHA accredited general practice with a dedicated exotic pet service for birds, reptiles and small mammals, including preventive care, nail and beak trims and nutritional counselling. 603-898-8982.
- Hopkinton Animal Hospital (Exotic and Bird Clinic of New England)Hopkinton, New Hampshire
Home of the Exotic and Bird Clinic of New England. Welcomes rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, birds and reptiles and takes referrals from other veterinarians. 603-487-6447.
Rescues and adoption
No rescue listed in New Hampshire yet. National groups on the rescues page take surrenders from any state.
Breeders and stores
- 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.
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.
- 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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