BABY TURTLES ("Dollar Turtles")
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Copyright by Valerie Haecky. This document may be freely 
distributed for non-profit use, provided this notice is
included.


I am so glad you asked!

1) Dollar turtles are turtles that cost/used to cost one dollar. They
   also are about the size of a silver dollar when sold.

2) Usually these turtles are baby red-eared sliders that can grow to 6-8" and
   need significant care. Raising baby turtles is not easy.
   Sliders are high-maintenance pets and if not given proper care they will
   get sick and die. (Most baby turtles die in their first year from
   stress and improper husbandry.)

3) Dollar turtles used to be sold in the United States, until they were
   associated with Salmonellosis in small children. Many reptiles carry
   some salmonella. (Salmonella is also common in raw poultry and raw eggs.)
   If kept observing proper hygene, that is not a problem. But children
   would put the turtles in their mouth, and a number became sick.
   Once the government outlawed the sale of turtles under 4 inches size,
   reptile-associated Salmonellosis decreased dramatically.

4) It may not be legal for you to import a life red-eared baby slider from
   Canada into the U.S. Many animals must be quaranteed. I baby turtle would
   surely die during the quarantine.

5) There are also restrictions on transporting animals on airplanes. Most
   airlines will allow small animals in suitable containers. Travel is very
   stressful for baby turtles. (During transport from turtle farms to the
   stores, more than half die during transport or shortly arriving at their
   destination.) A baby turtle needs to travel in the passenger section of
   the plane.
 
In view of the above, there are some other options than buying a 
baby turtle in Canada:
 
        * Buy or adopt a turtle locally. It won't be as small, though.

        * If you know of people who breed turtles, you can still get a
          baby turtle for adoption. The best way to find such people is to
          check out a local turtle or reptile association and take it
          from there.
 
Baby turtles are awfully cute and awfully wonderful pets, and it is a
great feeling to look at your healthy, adult turtle and know you have
raised it from a hatchling. It takes a good deal of investment to keep
turtles, but it is worth every minute of it!

So, what is allowed in the US?
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It is LEGAL to keep baby turtles.
It is LEGAL to give away, adopt, breed, and keep baby turtles.
It is ILLEGAL to sell baby turtles commercially for pets.

(Note: state laws may vary.)

Reader Comment
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"Turtles are sold under 4 inches. I work in the Pet trade Industry many of your
soft shelled turtles are sold at 1 2 or even 3 inches in size and are
considered FISH by the Law enforcement agncies YOU can even get small turtles
of other species and you can sell them to people in the field of education or
give them free with purchase of a tank but you can not sell them individually
there are many ways you can get around this now ridiculious once necessary
LAW---THANX THE DRU STAR"