The law in North Carolina
You can keep up to four native turtles without a licence, but five or more pond, box or softshell turtles in a year counts as commercial taking and is banned. Red-eared sliders are a restricted species in North Carolina, so you need a Restricted Species Permit to own, buy, sell or release one. Snapping turtles have a harvest season with a 13 inch minimum.
Selling. Commercial taking, including sale or purchase, of five or more turtles or terrapins from the families Emydidae (sliders, cooters, box and painted turtles) or Trionychidae (softshells) per year is prohibited (S.L. 2003-100; 15A NCAC 10H .1301). Red-eared sliders may not be sold without a Restricted Species Permit.
Keeping. A Wildlife Collection Licence is needed to take, possess or transport five or more snapping turtles, lizards or snakes a year. Red-eared sliders, brown anoles and Argentine tegus are restricted species: no import, possession, purchase, sale, transfer or release without a Restricted Species Permit. Endangered or special concern species need an Endangered Species permit.
Wild turtles. Snapping turtles: residents only, 10 per day and 100 per year, no turtle under 13 inches measured along the curve of the shell, up to 15 tagged traps checked daily. Collection of five or more Emydidae or Trionychidae turtles a year is unlawful. Protected species are listed in 15A NCAC 10I.
Release. Releasing a restricted species such as a red-eared slider without a permit is unlawful. No general release rule found for other turtles; releasing pets is still a bad idea.
Who to ask. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Federal law bars the sale of any turtle under 4 inches as a pet everywhere; see the 4-inch rule.
Sources: NC Inland Fishing Regulations: Nongame regulations (reptiles and restricted species) (15A NCAC 10B .0119; 15A NCAC 10B .0123); Session Law 2003-100 (commercial taking of turtles) (S.L. 2003-100 s.2; G.S. 113-333(a)); 15A NCAC 10B .0119 Wildlife collectors (15A NCAC 10B .0119). 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
- Avian and Exotic Animal CareRaleigh, North Carolina
Hospital focused entirely on exotic pets since 1996, including birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, exotic mammals and invertebrates. Offers house calls and has a reptile history form for new patients. 919-844-9166.
- NC State Veterinary Hospital, Exotic Animal Medicine ServiceRaleigh, North Carolina
University teaching hospital service seeing non-venomous reptiles and amphibians such as turtles, snakes and lizards, plus birds and small mammals. Does not accept wildlife; wild turtles go to the NCSU Turtle Rescue Team. 919-513-6999.
- Sweeten Creek Animal and Bird HospitalAsheville, North Carolina
Full service small animal, avian and exotic species hospital. Its site does not list reptile species by name, so call to confirm care for your turtle. 828-684-8875.
Rescues and adoption
- BeWild Reptile RescueDurham, North Carolina
Nonprofit founded in 2018 that takes in displaced pet reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates and adopts them out through an application. It cannot take aquatic turtles, iguanas or large tortoises because of space, and it does not ship animals. Ships: local adoption only. 919-442-8238.
- Fresh Start RescueWallace, North Carolina
Nonprofit reptile rescue in coastal North Carolina founded in 2017 that fosters, rehabilitates and rehomes reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates through an adoption application. It can no longer take in aquatic turtles. Ships: local adoption only. 910-470-6299.
Breeders and stores
No breeder or store listed in North Carolina 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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