Can sea turtles be kept as pets?
All species of sea turtle are classified on the IUCN Red List as threatened or endangered. As such, it is illegal to handle them or to keep one as a pet. Specific permits (under CITES-Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species) are required to handle a sea turtle or its products and to house them legally (usually in Aquariums or Rescue Centres, which should provide adequate facilities to properly care for them). It would be very difficult for a member of the public lacking training and required facilities to correctly care for a sea turtle. Anyone discovered by the authorities to be keeping a sea turtle as a pet or in inappropriate conditions is liable for prosecution.
