The law in New Mexico
New Mexico has no clear rule on keeping a store-bought turtle as a pet. Taking native reptiles for sale needs a $50 commercial collecting permit, and state or federally listed threatened or endangered reptiles cannot be taken at all. Imported animals cannot be released without a permit from the Game and Fish director.
Selling. Collecting native amphibians or reptiles for sale, barter or profit requires a Commercial Collecting Permit ($50, valid April 1 to March 31) under 19.35.10 NMAC. Holding the annual bag limit or more of wild-caught animals counts as commercial possession. No state rule found on pet shop turtle sales beyond the federal 4-inch rule.
Keeping. No rule found requiring a permit to keep a pet turtle. Importing a non-domesticated animal into New Mexico is governed by the Department's species importation list (19.35.7 NMAC); species not on the list default to Group IV, which the public cannot import. Check the current list with the Department before bringing a turtle in.
Wild turtles. The Director's Amphibian and Reptile List sets which native species may be taken and the annual bag limit for each. Taking any native reptile that is state or federally listed as threatened or endangered is unlawful. Nonresidents need a nonresident licence. We did not find the current list online, so ask the Department.
Release. Animals imported into New Mexico may not be released into the wild without a release permit from the Game and Fish director (19.35.7 NMAC). Releasing pets is still a bad idea.
Who to ask. New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Federal law bars the sale of any turtle under 4 inches as a pet everywhere; see the 4-inch rule.
Sources: 19.35.10 NMAC Protection for amphibians and reptiles (19.35.10 NMAC); 19.35.7 NMAC Importation of live non-domesticated animals (19.35.7 NMAC); NMDGF Amphibians and Reptiles (NMDGF species information page). Last checked November 5, 2026. Our confidence in this summary: low. This is a plain-English reading, not legal advice; the agency has the final word.
Reptile vets
- Aztec Animal ClinicAlbuquerque, New Mexico
General practice with an exotic and pocket pet service. Sees non-venomous snakes, lizards, geckos, turtles and tortoises (except snapping turtles), rabbits, ferrets and rodents. 505-265-4939.
- Santa Fe Animal HospitalSanta Fe, New Mexico
Full service practice for dogs, cats and exotics that names snakes and turtles among the pets it sees. By appointment, not an emergency or walk-in clinic. 505-820-2232.
Rescues and adoption
No rescue listed in New Mexico yet. National groups on the rescues page take surrenders from any state.
Breeders and stores
No breeder or store listed in New Mexico 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.
Missing someone?
Clinics, rescues and breeders can be added free. We check each one before it goes up. Submit a listing, or see every state.
