The law in Oklahoma
Oklahoma lets you catch most turtles year round with a fishing licence, six per species per day and in possession. Alligator snapping turtles, western chicken turtles and northern map turtles are fully protected. Land turtles such as box turtles may not be sold, and aquatic turtles may only be sold by licensed commercial harvesters or buyers.
Selling. Terrestrial (land) turtles may not be sold. Aquatic turtles may not be sold or purchased without a commercial turtle harvester or buyer's licence (29 O.S. 4-103A and 4-103B). Commercial activity in other native reptiles is prohibited. No state codification of the federal 4-inch rule found.
Keeping. No permit found for keeping a pet turtle. Collecting, possessing, selling or buying the alligator snapping turtle, western chicken turtle or northern map turtle is prohibited (OAC 800:25-7-7). Possession limit for other turtles taken from the wild is six per species.
Wild turtles. Turtles may be taken in all waters year round with a resident or nonresident fishing licence, no more than six of each species per day or in possession. Taking turtles with a firearm needs a hunting licence, and shooting turtles on federal reservoirs is prohibited. Commercial harvest has separate rules and not all waters are open.
Release. No specific rule found; releasing pets is still a bad idea.
Who to ask. Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Federal law bars the sale of any turtle under 4 inches as a pet everywhere; see the 4-inch rule.
Sources: ODWC Turtle and Bullfrog Regulations (ODWC fishing regulations); ODWC 2021-2022 Regulations, Reptile and Amphibian (page 79) (ODWC regulations guide); Oklahoma Administrative Code 800:25-7-7 (OAC 800:25-7-7). 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
- 405 Vet Animal HospitalOklahoma City, Oklahoma
General practice with an exotic pet service for birds, reptiles, small mammals and ferrets, including urgent care. 405-562-4998.
- Forest Trails Animal HospitalTulsa, Oklahoma
Full service hospital for dogs, cats and exotic species including birds, reptiles, pocket pets, rabbits and ferrets. 918-299-8448.
Rescues and adoption
No rescue listed in Oklahoma yet. National groups on the rescues page take surrenders from any state.
Breeders and stores
No breeder or store listed in Oklahoma 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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