The local pet store is selling baby turtles. Isn’t that illegal?
There are federal regulations in effect that pertain to the sale of turtles with shell lengths of less than four (4) inches. With some exceptions, turtles offered for sale are supposed to have shell length greater than four inches. These regulations were created a number of years ago to address concerns that small children, who may acquire these turtles as pets might put them into their mouths and contract Salmonellosis. Salmonella bacteria can sometimes be found on turtles that have been kept in captivity. The US Food and Drug Administration and the US Fish and Wildlife Service can enforce these federal regulations. The Fish and Boat Commission does not have authority to enforce these regulations.
