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Is buying a baby turtle illegal? Here is how to bring home this reptile legally and ethically

Follow a few rules to ensure you bring home a turtle the right way

Rebekkah Adams
By

Turtles have exploded in popularity, becoming one of the most coveted pets. They can be great additions to the family — while Testudines require some specialized care you don’t need to take them on daily walks. But along with the rise in turtle ownership, some other problems have emerged, like disease outbreaks and illegal trading. Because of these issues (namely salmonella), the sale of small turtles, set as those with shells of less than 4 inches, is banned in America.

So does that mean you can’t own a turtle unless you meet someone in a trench coat for the exchange? There’s a right way to go about this and we’ll tell you how.

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A very small turtle sits in the palm of someone's hand outside

What are the problems with owning a turtle?

Before you jump into any reptile ownership, you should carefully research their needs and behaviors. Because they’re an entirely different class of animals from us, they don’t necessarily act the way you might think. In addition to all the usual worries, like preventing animals from being kept in inhumane conditions, there are three main problems that can occur with irresponsible turtle ownership.

Salmonella

We noted at the top that turtles have been linked to salmonella outbreaks. You need to get your animal from a reputable pet store, preferably in your neighborhood and not online (where shady deals can be harder to spot). On top of that, the CDC recommends that no one keep turtles in a house with any humans under 5 or over 65 or who have a compromised immune system.

Illegal trading

As mentioned, more and more people are bringing home these beasties and as a result, some unethical importers have turned to wild-caught creatures. In many places, this is illegal, but that doesn’t stop people from capturing and then selling them to families. These actions have contributed to dwindling populations and low birth rates among some turtle species around the globe.

Abandonment

When you bring home any animal, you commit to them for life. In the case of a turtle, that could be decades. These pets are occasionally included in wills because they live so long! Because of that, they are often taken to a creek and let loose, sometimes with devastating results.

While all turtles might look the same to you, owners might be introducing a non-native species (and they might not be ready to face the great outdoors) into the wild. If you absolutely must rehome your animal, surrender them to a shelter.

A group of turtles sun in the pond on rocks

How can I ethically add a turtle pet to my home?

Don’t worry. You can absolutely own a happy turtle for decades (since they’re one of the longest-living pets, though tortoises absolutely have them beat). By following these steps, you’re all but ensuring you’re being a safe, ethical, and legal turtle pet parent.

Research your breeder

We emphasize the importance of this, but it can be tricky, nonetheless. One option, consider adopting a turtle from a rescue or even a friend who can no longer care for them. Remember, you will have this companion for a long time, so it doesn’t matter if they’ve already got some life behind them. Alternatively, seek out a store with information about their breeding program and ask questions! You can also read reviews to confirm that the animals are doing well after they leave the shop.

Set up a good home

It’s best not to buy a pet on a whim. You’ll need to get their house set up in plenty of time before they arrive with all the correct lighting, accessories, and care items. The most important part of this is buying a tank that’s big enough for your animal. Turtles should never go in fish bowls or hamster cages, even if they look similar.

Feed and care for the turtle

All pets need to be taken care of and turtles are no different, which means a proper diet and enough exercise and stimulation plus the TLC you give to any scaly friend. Believe it or not, turtles can become attached to their people and even show affection, learn their names, and memorize a few simple tricks. Show them that you’re in their corner by always providing the best care (and turtle treats).

Plan ahead

Jonathan the tortoise celebrated his 190th birthday in 2022. For context, that’s the year Andrew Jackson was re-elected president (Jonathan’s lived through 40 of them). A turtle (or tortoise) might look appealing when you have elementary-aged kids and then seem like a burden after they leave for college. As soon as you begin the reptile conversation, discuss what your care plan will be if/when your little guy reaches a half-century in age.

Turtles make great pets, but it’s important that you fully commit to bringing home and raising an animal in the most ethical way possible. That means not buying a tiny reptile nor grabbing a little guy from a disreputable source, and also thinking through their care plan for decades to come (in case they outlive you or you wind up unable to keep them long term). And this is not to mention the daily feedings, cage cleanings, and substrate changings you’ll have to go through as part of regular maintenance. As long as you put in a little work beforehand, you can enjoy many Testudine occasions for the next 40 or so years.

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Everyone understands that Fido needs to be walked, typically multiple times per day. But many other animals enjoy an excursion to the great outdoors too — we've all seen cute pics of cats, bunnies, and even ferrets rocking a leash. Want to give it a try with your lizard? It is possible to walk a bearded dragon, and both of you can enjoy the experience, provided you don't have dog-level expectations. It might take a little extra preparation, but with the right equipment, you can take a trip out to explore the wide world together. 

Do beardies like to go on walks?
Well, define walks. You won't be able to take your reptile out and do laps with him around the neighborhood. Make sure you only intend to go for a tiny outing and that you start really small. Truth be told, he'll probably just look around a little bit and then decide to go back inside where it's temperature and humidity-controlled and there's unlimited free food. But you may find that he looks forward to these short jaunts into his natural habitat. If that winds up being the case, you should continue them even though it's not the same as a "real" romp.
What type of harness does my bearded dragon need?
Especially at first, you'll need some way to secure your animal, and that's where the harness comes in. Just as you'd put your dog or cat on a leash attached to a collar, so too you need something to maintain control and keep track of your reptile. Don't go outside without something to keep him close by since it only takes seconds to lose track of your pet, who can get away quickly and go under or over things you can't. Some of these contraptions come in different sizes, and you can try a few out and see what works best for the both of you. Choose one specifically for this species, though — do not repurpose a mammal harness or try to make your own if he hasn't tried it out yet. You need him to stay secure for the entirety of your expedition.
How do I know if my beardie is comfortable?
You certainly want to ensure that the harness fits and that you aren't dragging him around, much as you would with any other pet. On top of that, though, check the temp outside before scheduling your journey. It needs to be extremely warm for him to do well outdoors. As in, well into the 80s preferably with a gentle sun beating down. Don't go out in the rain or cold as that does not match his natural habitat, which is often the desert and other warm climates. However, he also needs the opportunity for a cooldown at a moment's notice. Stay within reach of some shade as that will allow him to escape there as needed. Along these lines, keep the walks short to start, maybe five or 10 minutes until you adjust to his preference. 

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What makes reptiles and amphibians special?
Like humans, fish, and birds, reptiles and amphibians are both vertebrates. This means we all have backbones, unlike bugs or jellyfish. Most birds and mammals live on land; fish spend the majority of their lives in water. But the other groups are special because they get a little of each (we'll break that down in a minute). Additionally, these guys are cold-blooded while humans are warm-blooded. That means we make our own heat and need sweaters and blankets to trap it on or sweat to cool it off. Reptiles absorb heat from their environments, so you typically see them choosing to live in warmer climates and hibernating in winter. However, there are a few key differences between reptiles and amphibians. 

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What do I need for my reptile's enclosure?
Reptiles hail from everywhere in just about all habitats, which means you'll need to adjust your specifications based on what species you have. Even among lizards or snakes, for example, you could have one creature that needs warm and dry while another prefers hot and wet. Still some turtles spend almost their entire lives completely underwater. Your tank will take on an array of gadgets and gauges to keep your animals in optimum health, controlling temperature, light, and humidity. Maintaining these three things will be crucial to keeping your scaly pet alive. 
How do I automate my system?
When taking your tank to the next level, consider each piece separately. You don't want to treat the humidity the same as the lighting and both of those will be very different from heat. That means you'll likely be investing in multiple gadgets, each with a specific purpose to maintain optimum levels in your enclosure.
Light
We'll start with the easiest because you can mostly set it and forget it for this one. Each animal has a slightly different sleep schedule and different lighting needs. Remember, many reptiles also want UV or specially colored bulbs. However, no matter what creature you have, you'll most likely want to simulate night and day, though not necessarily to correspond with the actual clock. That's because many reptiles, such as most geckos, are nocturnal and so you could have some of their "night" happen while it's waking hours for you. This only works if you can control the environment very closely of course. Regardless, many herpers keep their lamps on a timer that goes off and on at specific times or intervals. This will ensure that everything stays really consistent and there's no such thing as forgetting to turn the light off and keeping your animal up for too long. You will periodically need to check on it to make sure it's functioning properly, but this definitely qualifies as the easiest piece to get settled.

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