The law in Wyoming
In Wyoming you may collect most native reptiles for personal use without a permit, but the ornate box turtle and northern spiny softshell may be taken only under a scientific or educational permit. Any reptile you take from the wild must be kept confined and may never be released. Commercial take needs separate authorization.
Selling. No person may take nongame wildlife from Wyoming for commercial use except under Commission Regulation Chapters 10, 46 and 69. No state codification of the 4-inch rule found.
Keeping. Ornate box turtle and northern spiny softshell are listed in Chapter 52 Section 7(a) and may be taken only with a Chapter 33 scientific research, educational or special purpose permit. Other reptiles such as painted and snapping turtles may be taken and kept for personal use without a permit. Importing or possessing listed reptiles from outside the state is covered by Chapter 69.
Wild turtles. Amphibians and reptiles not listed in Section 7(a) may be taken for personal use without a permit but may not be used as fishing bait. Ornate box turtle and northern spiny softshell require a permit. No bag or possession limits for personal-use reptile take were found in the regulation.
Release. Live amphibians and reptiles taken for personal use must be confined at their final destination and may not be released, abandoned or allowed to escape (Chapter 52, Section 7(b)(i)).
Who to ask. Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Federal law bars the sale of any turtle under 4 inches as a pet everywhere; see the 4-inch rule.
Sources: Wyoming Game and Fish Commission Regulation Chapter 52, Take of Nongame Wildlife (Sept 2025) (WGFC Reg. Ch. 52, Secs. 6 and 7); 040-52 Wyo. Code R. 52-7 Amphibians and reptiles (040-52 Wyo. Code R. 52-7); Wyoming Game and Fish, nongame wildlife regulations (WGFC Reg. Ch. 52). 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
- Casper Animal Medical CenterCasper, Wyoming
Mixed practice that states it provides care for dogs, cats, small mammals, exotics and horses and that its veterinarians practice exotic medicine and surgery; reptiles are not named on the site, so call to confirm. 307-237-8387.
Rescues and adoption
No rescue listed in Wyoming yet. National groups on the rescues page take surrenders from any state.
Breeders and stores
No breeder or store listed in Wyoming 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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