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Turtles for Pets - What You May Not Know
Turtles and tortoises have
long held the fascination of many individuals. Unfortunately
this interest has lead to many turtles becoming targets
of unscrupulous collectors that endanger the population
and health of native turtles.
If you have a genuine interest in owning
a turtle or tortoise as a pet there are things you should
know about the situation turtles and tortoises face
and how you can protect them from extinction and harm.
IS OWNING A TURTLE OR TORTOISE ILLEGAL?
No. Owning a turtle or tortoise is not
illegal unless you obtained it illegally. Laws to restrict
the selling of turtles and tortoises are two-fold.
Baby turtles once commonly sold as pets
were identified as a health risk because of the Salmonella
bacteria present. Because of this the FDA (Food and
Drug Administration) banned the selling of turtles with
a shell less than 4 inches. This obviously includes
eggs and hatchlings of all species.
Many turtle species are endangered and
most states have laws regarding the selling of turtles
captured in the wild.
If you do own or purchase a turtle or
tortoise you may have to obtain a permit. Not having
the proper permits can be considered a crime.
WHERE SHOULD I GO TO FIND A TURTLE FOR
A PET?
Never buy a turtle from another country.
Dealers are not always concerned with your situation
at the airport where you will be held responsible for
illegally importing a turtle from another country.
At times the turtles and tortoises available
for sale in pet stores have been illegally captured
in the wild. These turtles have undergone extreme stress
by being captured, held captive in small, crowded spaces
with other turtles and often neglected, subsisting on
meager food and unclean water.
These turtles who may have enjoyed decades
of life in the wild may live no longer than two years
in captivity due to the ill health caused by their capture
and lack of care. Individuals who buy from these commercial
sellers are inadequately informed on the care and cost
of owning a turtle. Serious health problems arise, often
undetected until beyond recovery or requiring expensive
intervention.
Joining local or online groups that
are interested in the proper care of turtles can put
you in touch with hobbyists and placement agencies which
find homes for captive turtles and hatchlings that are
not covered by the law binding on commercial sales.
It will also put you in contact with individuals knowledgeable
about the care required by your unique pet.
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