The law in Ohio
Ohio residents may take up to four of each species on the Division of Wildlife's collectible reptile list, but adults must apply for a propagating licence after taking possession. Snapping and softshell turtles can be harvested from July 1 to December 31 if the shell is at least 11 inches. Wild-caught turtles cannot be sold, and releasing any reptile needs a permit.
Selling. Buying, selling, bartering or trading any reptile or amphibian taken from the wild in Ohio is prohibited. Live wild-caught snapping or softshell turtles may not be exported unless held under a propagating licence (OAC 1501:31-25-04). No state rule found on captive-bred or non-native turtle sales beyond the federal 4-inch rule.
Keeping. Residents may take or possess no more than four individuals of each collectible reptile species from the wild; nonresidents may not take any. Anyone 18 or older must apply for a propagating licence after taking possession; residents 17 or younger may hold up to four per species without one. State endangered species may not be possessed.
Wild turtles. Only species on the Division's collectible list, plus snapping turtles and softshell turtles, may be taken from the wild. Snapping and softshell turtles: closed January 1 to June 30, minimum 11 inch straight-line carapace, no eggs. Some live reptiles must be PIT tagged.
Release. Releasing any reptile or amphibian into the wild is prohibited without a permit from the chief of the Division of Wildlife. This covers animals from outside Ohio, captive-raised animals, wild-caught animals held more than 30 days, release away from the capture site, or animals housed with another species.
Who to ask. Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife. Federal law bars the sale of any turtle under 4 inches as a pet everywhere; see the 4-inch rule.
Sources: Ohio Administrative Code 1501:31-25-04 Reptiles and amphibians (OAC 1501:31-25-04 (eff. 1/1/2026)); OAC 1501:31-25-04 authenticated PDF (OAC 1501:31-25-04). 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
- Animal Care UnlimitedColumbus, Ohio
Six doctor practice treating dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, small mammals and companion farm animals. Has a reptile information form for new exotic patients. 614-766-2317.
- MedVet Hilliard, Avian and ExoticsHilliard, Ohio
Emergency and specialty hospital near Columbus whose avian and exotics service lists reptiles among commonly treated pets. The only MedVet hospital offering exotic wellness visits. 614-870-0480.
- Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital Exotics Department (Exotic Pet Vets)Norton, Ohio
Exotics department with a bird and exotic clinic in Norton and a Cleveland East location in Highland Heights. Decades of experience with exotic birds, reptiles, amphibians, rabbits, ferrets and pocket pets. 330-825-2434.
Rescues and adoption
- Arrowhead Reptile RescueCincinnati, Ohio
Network of licensed rehabilitators and foster homes founded in 1991 that helps unwanted, sick or injured wild and captive reptiles, including turtles, with an adoption process for captive animals. Foster homes are in the Cincinnati and Dayton areas. Ships: local adoption only.
- Herps Alive FoundationSouth Euclid, Ohio
Nonprofit that rehabilitates unwanted, neglected and abused reptiles and amphibians and rehomes them when possible, with visiting hours and adoptable animals posted on Facebook. Intake was closed as of November 2026. Ships: local adoption only. 216-374-1392.
Breeders and stores
No breeder or store listed in Ohio 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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