The law in South Dakota
You need a fishing licence to catch a wild turtle in South Dakota, and you may keep no more than 4 of each species caught from the wild. Buying or selling any turtle, including parts, is illegal in the state. The false map turtle is off limits.
Selling. It is illegal to buy, sell, barter or trade any species of turtle, including parts, under the Game, Fish and Parks fishing regulations. Snapping turtles may not be exported for any purpose other than personal consumption. This applies on top of the federal 4-inch rule.
Keeping. No state permit is needed to keep a pet turtle, but turtles taken from the wild count against a possession limit of 4 of each species. State and federally listed threatened or endangered species may not be taken or possessed.
Wild turtles. A valid fishing licence is required to take turtles. All species except the false map turtle may be taken year-round, with a daily limit of 2 and possession limit of 4 per species. Legal methods are hook and line, legal minnow seines, gaff hooks, legal spears and marked turtle traps. Firearms may not be used.
Release. No specific rule found; releasing pets is still a bad idea.
Who to ask. South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks. Federal law bars the sale of any turtle under 4 inches as a pet everywhere; see the 4-inch rule.
Sources: 2026 South Dakota Fishing Handbook (turtle regulations, page 52) (S.D. Admin. R. 41:07:10); South Dakota general fishing regulations (eRegulations) (S.D. Admin. R. 41:07:10:02); SDCL 41-6-76, resident fishing licence required for fish, frogs or turtles (SDCL 41-6-76). 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
- Faithful Friends Veterinary CareSioux Falls, South Dakota
General practice with an exotics service. Reptile patients listed include bearded dragons, geckos, chameleons, turtles and tortoises, plus amphibians, birds and small mammals. 605-371-3791.
Rescues and adoption
No rescue listed in South Dakota yet. National groups on the rescues page take surrenders from any state.
Breeders and stores
No breeder or store listed in South 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.
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