The law in North Dakota
North Dakota law bans commercial taking, trapping or hooking of turtles without a permit from the Game and Fish director. We found no state rule on keeping a pet turtle or on personal collection limits, so check with the Department before taking a turtle from the wild. Snapping turtles are a species of conservation concern.
Selling. No state rule found beyond the federal 4-inch rule. Commercial taking of turtles from the wild requires a director's permit (N.D.C.C. 20.1-06-16).
Keeping. No rule found requiring a permit to keep a pet turtle. No banned or restricted turtle species found in state code.
Wild turtles. No person may engage in the commercial taking, trapping or hooking of turtles without a permit from the Game and Fish director (N.D.C.C. 20.1-06-16). We could not find a published season, bag limit or licence rule for personal take; the snapping turtle is listed by the Department as vulnerable to the turtle trade. Ask the Department first.
Release. No specific rule found; releasing pets is still a bad idea.
Who to ask. North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Federal law bars the sale of any turtle under 4 inches as a pet everywhere; see the 4-inch rule.
Sources: North Dakota Century Code chapter 20.1-06 (section 20.1-06-16, Turtles) (N.D.C.C. 20.1-06-16); ND Game and Fish: Snapping Turtle species page (NDGF species of conservation priority). 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
- Casselton Veterinary ServiceCasselton, North Dakota
Mixed practice west of Fargo with an exotic pet medicine and surgery service; its exotic pages cover snakes and other exotic pets. Also has a Fargo small animal location. 701-347-5496.
Rescues and adoption
No rescue listed in North Dakota yet. National groups on the rescues page take surrenders from any state.
Breeders and stores
No breeder or store listed in North Dakota 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.
