The law in Rhode Island
Rhode Island bans owning, buying or selling any native turtle, including box, painted, spotted, wood and musk turtles, even if bought from a pet store. Exotic turtles and tortoises can be kept without a permit, except a few tortoises and endangered species. Red-eared sliders must be kept indoors, and no captive animal may ever be released.
Selling. It is illegal to sell, purchase or possess native species in any context. Pet shops selling red-eared sliders must notify buyers of the indoor-only rule and keep a purchaser register for three years (250-RICR-40-05-3.7). RIDEM also restates the federal ban on selling turtles under four inches.
Keeping. Possession of native turtles (box, eastern musk, painted, snapping, diamondback terrapin, spotted, wood) as pets is prohibited. All exotic turtles may be kept without an exotic animal permit except endangered species and Chaco, gopher and pancake tortoises, which need a permit from the Division of Agriculture. Red-eared sliders may not be kept in outdoor enclosures.
Wild turtles. Removing any native reptile or amphibian from the wild is illegal except by permit for research or exhibition ($25). Snapping turtles may be hunted with a fishing, hunting or trapping licence, 13 inch minimum carapace, 6 per season, closed May 15 to July 15, and must be killed on capture; keeping a live wild snapper is illegal.
Release. RIDEM says under no circumstance should a captive animal, native or non-native, be released into the wild. Releasing a permitted animal is prohibited whether intentional or accidental (250-RICR-40-05-3.11).
Who to ask. Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Division of Fish and Wildlife. Federal law bars the sale of any turtle under 4 inches as a pet everywhere; see the 4-inch rule.
Sources: RIDEM Rhode Island Reptile and Amphibian Rules and Regulations fact sheet (April 2022) (RIDEM fact sheet; 250-RICR-40-05-3.7 and 3.17); 250-RICR-40-05-3 Rules and Regulations Governing the Importation and Possession of Wild Animals (250-RICR-40-05-3.7, 3.11, 3.17); Rhode Island Hunting Regulations: Reptiles and Amphibians (RIDEM hunting regulations digest). 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
- Ocean State Veterinary SpecialistsEast Greenwich, Rhode Island
Specialty and 24-hour emergency hospital with an avian and exotic service. Sees turtles, tortoises, snakes and lizards such as bearded dragons and geckos, but not venomous reptiles. 401-886-6787.
Rescues and adoption
No rescue listed in Rhode Island yet. National groups on the rescues page take surrenders from any state.
Breeders and stores
No breeder or store listed in Rhode Island 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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