Other Turtle Discussion :: how to report a vendor?

[Listen97]

I live near Historic St. Augustine & it is not illegal to sell baby turtles under 4". They are not required by law to give proper care info. either. St. Augustine is a huge tourist spot & probably making a ton of $ selling baby turts.

Actually, the law banning the sale of turtles under 4 inches is a federal law and applies to all 50 states (Title 21 CFR 1240.62). The FDA is responsible for the enforcement of the law, so contact your local FDA office.

Most of the places that "sell" turtles try to get around the law by not actually selling the turtles. You buy the turtle kit and you get the turtle for free. Whether or not that practice is illegal depends on whether or not the local FDA office is interested in enforcing the law.

Sadly though, if the local FDA office does enforce the law, the little turtles must be destroyed.

-Michael

This is exactly how my sister got the two turtles for my niece at Myrtle Beach. They were free with the "Turtle Kit". Guess it's a good thing I got the turtles and actually took the time to learn about them, now they are doing fine.

[michaelg]

I know of a very reputable reptile shop that sells baby map & YBS. They have even sold Lemurs to the local zoo. I would be shocked if they were selling anything illegally. The shop id Blazin Reptile on San Jose Blvd. in Jacksonville, Fl. Lots of baby turtles, under 4" sold here....bangel cats too...

If you read the law, there are exceptions to it. They can be sold for "bona fide scientific, educational, or exhibitional purposes, other than use as pets." This shop shouldn't be selling them to regular retail customers, but I'm sure they just ignore the law since it is rarely enforced.

-Michael