The law in Virginia
Since July 2021 a Virginia household may keep only one native turtle that is not a Species of Greatest Conservation Need, and box turtles and other SGCN species may not be kept at all. Red-eared sliders may not be taken or possessed for private use in any number. Native turtles may be given away but never sold.
Selling. It is illegal to sell or buy turtles native or naturalized in Virginia, though they may be given away. Non-native turtles not federally listed as threatened or endangered may be sold, including in pet stores. Propagation and sale of certain species is covered separately in 4VAC15-360-50.
Keeping. Under 4VAC15-360-10 you may keep for private use no more than one native or naturalized reptile or amphibian that is not an SGCN species, per physical address. All SGCN reptiles, including box turtles, and red-eared sliders may not be possessed in any number. Animals held before 1 July 2021 had to be declared by 1 January 2022.
Wild turtles. Collecting from state or federal land, roads and other public property is unlawful without a permit. Snapping turtles may be taken 5 per day from 1 June to 30 September with a minimum 13-inch curved carapace, using hoop nets up to 6 feet long. Other native turtles are limited to the one-per-address rule.
Release. A captured native reptile may be released only if held no more than 30 days, released at the exact capture site, kept apart from other animals and showing no illness or injury. Relocating turtles elsewhere is illegal under 4VAC15-30-10.
Who to ask. Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. Federal law bars the sale of any turtle under 4 inches as a pet everywhere; see the 4-inch rule.
Sources: Virginia DWR, turtles (4VAC15-360-10; 4VAC15-30-10); 4VAC15-360-10 Taking aquatic invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles and nongame fish for private use (4VAC15-360-10); Virginia Herpetological Society, Virginia herp regulations (4VAC15-360-10; 4VAC15-360-50; 4VAC15-30-40). 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
- Hartwood Animal HospitalFredericksburg, Virginia
Lists exotic pet care as a service but does not name species on its site; two of its veterinarians appear in the Kingsnake reptile vet locator. Call to confirm turtle care. 540-356-3092.
- Pet Care Veterinary HospitalVirginia Beach, Virginia
General practice that also lists a pet exotics service and states it treats birds, reptiles and pocket pets alongside dogs and cats. 757-473-0111.
- Stahl Exotic Animal Veterinary ServicesFairfax, Virginia
Exotics-only practice treating birds, small exotic mammals, amphibians and reptiles including snakes, lizards, turtles and tortoises. Does not see dogs, cats, venomous snakes or fish. 703-281-3750.
Rescues and adoption
No rescue listed in Virginia yet. National groups on the rescues page take surrenders from any state.
Breeders and stores
No breeder or store listed in Virginia 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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