Maryland is home to a diverse range of turtle species, each with its own unique characteristics and habits. However, it’s important to note that Maryland has specific laws regarding the possession and care of turtles. These laws are in place to protect the turtles and ensure that they remain a vital part of the state’s ecosystem.
Turtle Ownership Laws in Maryland
If you are planning to own a turtle in Maryland, it is important to be aware of the laws and regulations surrounding turtle ownership. Maryland has strict laws in place to protect the state’s turtle species and their habitats.
Possession of Turtles
Maryland law prohibits the possession of certain turtle species. Owning Bog Turtles, Spiny Softshell Turtles, and more than one Common Snapping Turtle is illegal. Additionally, it is illegal to own turtles slimmer than 4 inches unless you have a permit from the state.
Permits and Licenses
If you wish to own a turtle that is not allowed by law, you may apply for a permit or license from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The permit or license will allow you to legally possess the turtle species for which it was issued.
Releasing Turtles into the Wild
If a turtle spends more than 30 days in captivity, it is illegal to release it into the wild. This is to prevent the spread of diseases and ensure the turtle’s safety. If you wish to release a turtle into the wild, you must obtain written authorization from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Turtle Species
Maryland is home to a variety of turtle species, including the Diamondback Terrapin and the Common Snapping Turtle. It is important to be aware of the specific laws and regulations that apply to each species. For example, it is illegal to take Wood Turtles, Spotted Turtles, or Diamond-backed Terrapins from the wild.
Overall, it is important to be aware of Maryland’s laws and regulations surrounding turtle ownership. By following these laws, we can help protect the state’s turtle species and their habitats.
Turtle Commercialization Laws in Maryland
Maryland has strict laws regarding the commercialization of turtles. It is illegal to sell wild turtles or any of the seven sea turtle species, which include Loggerhead turtles, Green sea turtles, Leatherback turtles, Hawksbill turtles, Kemp’s ridley turtles, Olive ridley turtles, and Flatback turtles.
The Maryland Natural Resources Code Section 4-218 empowers the Secretary to adopt rules and regulations to restrict, permit, or prohibit the catching, possessing, purchasing, transporting, or exporting of snapping turtles. A person may not harvest or possess a snapping turtle for commercial purposes that has a carapace length that is less than 11 inches, measured in accordance with §D of this regulation. Additionally, a person may not buy, sell, or offer to buy or sell any snapping turtle harvested from the nontidal waters of the State.
Md. Code Regs. 10.06.01.22 specifies that a person may not sell in Maryland viable reptile eggs or live turtles with a carapace length of less than 4 inches, except as otherwise provided in §A(4) of this regulation. A person may sell turtles with a carapace length of 4 inches or more and other live reptiles in Maryland if certain conditions are met, such as obtaining a Captive Reptile & Amphibian Permit/License.
The 4 Inches Law
The state of Maryland has implemented the 4 inches law, which prohibits the possession, sale, or release of turtles with a carapace length of less than 4 inches. This law is intended to protect the native turtle populations and prevent the spread of diseases that can be transmitted between wild and captive turtles.
It is important to note that the 4 inches law applies to all turtles, including those kept as pets. If you are a turtle owner in Maryland, you must ensure that your pet turtle is at least 4 inches in length. If your turtle is smaller than 4 inches, you must obtain a permit from the state to keep it legally.
Additionally, it is illegal to release any turtle that has been in captivity for more than 30 days into the wild. This is to prevent the introduction of non-native species into the local ecosystem and to protect the health of wild turtle populations.
The 4 inches law also applies to the commercial trade of turtles. Turtles with a carapace length of less than 4 inches cannot be sold in Maryland unless they are produced by captive breeding with a permit. However, these turtles can be sold outside of Maryland.
Laws About Wild Turtles in Maryland
In Maryland, it is illegal to remove some species of turtles from the wild. This law is in place to protect the turtles and their habitats. If you find a turtle in the wild, it is important to leave it there and not take it home as a pet.
It is also illegal to release turtles, including snapping turtles, into the wild if they have spent more than 30 days in captivity. This is because turtles can carry diseases that can be harmful to wild populations, and they may not be able to survive in the wild after being in captivity for an extended period.
If you do need to release a turtle into the wild, there are certain conditions that must be met. The turtle must be healthy and free of any diseases, and it must be released into a suitable habitat where it can find food, water, and shelter.
It is important to note that it is illegal to release any non-native turtles into the wild in Maryland. This means that if you have a pet turtle that is not native to the state, you cannot release it into the wild even if it has not been in captivity for more than 30 days.
Native Species for Maryland
Maryland is home to a variety of native turtle species, each with its own unique characteristics and habitat preferences. Here is a list of some of the native turtle species found in Maryland:
- Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina)
- Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta picta)
- Wood Turtle (Glyptemys insculpta)
- Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata)
- Eastern Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta marginata)
- Eastern Mud Turtle (Kinosternon subrubrum)
- Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica)
- Spiny Softshell (Apalone spinifera)
- Midland Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta marginata)
- Stinkpot (Sternotherus odoratus)
- Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin)
- Common Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus)
- Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)
- Common Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica)
- Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans)
- Northern Red-bellied Cooter (Pseudemys rubriventris)
- Bog Turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii)
It’s important to note that while these species are native to Maryland, not all of them can be owned as pets. It is illegal to own endangered turtle species without a license or permit from the state. Additionally, it is illegal to own any of the seven sea turtle species, including Loggerhead turtles, Green sea turtles, Leatherback turtles, Hawksbill turtles, Kemp’s ridley turtles, Olive ridley turtles, and Flatback turtles.
If you are interested in owning a native turtle species in Maryland, it’s important to obtain the necessary permits and licenses. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has regulations in place concerning the possession, breeding, and sale of reptiles and amphibians native to the state. It’s also important to note that only individual animals that were taken from the wild may be released back into the wild, and only if they have not been held in captivity with any other reptile or amphibian, have not been in captivity for more than 30 days, or have written authorization from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Maryland Laws About Sea Turtles
Maryland has strict laws regarding the ownership and handling of sea turtles. It is important to understand these laws to avoid any legal issues.
First and foremost, it is illegal to own any of the seven species of sea turtles found in the world, namely Loggerhead turtles, Green sea turtles, Leatherback turtles, Hawksbill turtles, Kemp’s ridley turtles, Olive ridley turtles, and Flatback turtles. These species are protected under the Endangered Species Act and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Moreover, it is illegal to own an endangered turtle species, without a license or permit from the state. Therefore, if you come across a sea turtle, it is important to notify the appropriate authorities, such as the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, rather than attempting to capture or handle the animal yourself.
In addition to ownership, Maryland also has laws regarding commercialization of sea turtles. It is illegal to sell, trade, or possess any part of a sea turtle, including their shells, eggs, and meat. Violators of these laws could face civil penalties up to $11,000, up to one year in prison, forfeiture of any vessel involved, and penalties for that vessel up to $25,000.
Why Those Laws Exist
Maryland has implemented laws to protect turtles and their natural habitats. The state has recognized that some of the turtle species are endangered and their populations are declining in the wild. The laws aim to prevent the removal of certain turtle species from their natural habitats and restrict their ownership and sale.
The laws also prohibit the possession of turtles under four inches in length, except for those with a permit from the state. This regulation is in place to protect the turtles from being taken from the wild and sold as pets. It also prevents the spread of diseases that captive turtles may carry to the wild populations.
Furthermore, the laws require a permit for breeding, selling, trading, or bartering any reptile or amphibian, including color mutations, native to Maryland. This regulation ensures that the turtles are not overexploited and their populations are maintained in their natural habitats.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Maryland has strict laws regarding the ownership and possession of turtles. It is illegal to own certain species of turtles, such as Bog Turtles and Spiny Softshell Turtles. Additionally, it is against the law to possess more than one Common Snapping Turtle.
To ensure that turtles are protected, it is also illegal to own turtles slimmer than 4 inches unless you have a permit from the state. If a turtle spends more than 30 days in captivity, it is illegal to release it into the wild.
It is important to note that reptiles that have been bred in captivity or are not native to Maryland may not be released into the wild. A permit may be issued to possess, breed, sell, offer for sale, trade or barter reptiles or amphibians only after the Department is satisfied that the issuance of the permit will not be detrimental to the protection and conservation of native reptiles or amphibians.
Resources
If you are interested in learning more about Maryland turtle laws, several resources are available to you. Here are a few:
- Maryland Department of Natural Resources: The Maryland DNR is responsible for enforcing turtle laws in the state. Their website offers detailed information on regulations and permits and contact information for DNR offices throughout the state.
- Maryland Turtle Atlas: The Turtle Atlas is a citizen science project that collects data on turtle populations throughout the state. By participating in the project, you can help researchers better understand the distribution and abundance of different turtle species in Maryland.
Remember, it is important to follow Maryland’s turtle laws to protect both wild populations and captive turtles. By familiarizing yourself with the regulations and seeking out resources when needed, you can help ensure the health and safety of these fascinating creatures.
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