Turtles in Tennessee

What the state allows, who can help, and the sellers that ship here.

Vets in Tennessee

The law in Tennessee

You may keep a legally obtained native non-venomous reptile, including a turtle, without a possession permit, but you must be able to prove where it came from. The only turtle you may take from the wild is the common snapping turtle, with a sport fishing licence, and those may not be sold.

Selling. Turtles taken by sport fishing methods may not be sold. No other state rule found beyond the federal 4-inch rule. Zoos may not sell or transfer animals to the general public in Tennessee.

Keeping. Native non-venomous reptiles and amphibians are Class II wildlife, and a possession permit is not required for legally obtained ones. Owners must be able to show proof of legal ownership such as a receipt from a licensed propagation facility or an import permit. Alligator snapping turtles are state threatened and may not be taken.

Wild turtles. No wildlife may be taken from the wild except as allowed by statute, proclamation or rule. Only the common snapping turtle may be taken, 5 per day, minimum 12 inches carapace length, with a sport fishing licence. Firearms, archery, spearguns and dipping are not allowed. Up to 3 marked turtle trap nets are allowed in listed western counties.

Release. Rule 1660-01-18-.01 lists species that may be released only with prior TWRA approval, and turtles are not on that list. No specific turtle rule found; releasing pets is still a bad idea.

Who to ask. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Federal law bars the sale of any turtle under 4 inches as a pet everywhere; see the 4-inch rule.

Sources: Tennessee fishing regulations, turtles (TWRA via eRegulations) (TWRA fishing proclamation, turtles); Tenn. Comp. R. and Regs. 1660-01-18-.02 Permits (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1660-01-18-.02(2)(e)); Tenn. Comp. R. and Regs. 1660-01-18-.01 General provisions (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1660-01-18-.01(3), (4)); Tenn. Comp. R. and Regs. 1660-01-18-.03 Classes of wildlife (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1660-01-18-.03; T.C.A. 70-4-403). 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

Rescues and adoption

No rescue listed in Tennessee yet. National groups on the rescues page take surrenders from any state.

Breeders and stores

No breeder or store listed in Tennessee 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.

Two map turtles basking on a log.
A pond covered in lily pads.