Did I hear Eastern Box Turtles can't be sold?

[JURAGON]

What did I hear about Eastern Box Turtles? Only CB can be sold? How does Fish & Wildlife know if they are CB or wild?

 

[shrap]

That is going to vary from one state to the next. Here in Indiana they are on the State Protected Species list. You can not collect wild specimens in the state, nor are you allowed to breed them in captivity.

Here are a couple of nuggets from the state DNR site on Eastern Box Turtles.

May I collect a box turtle from the wild?
No, new regulations that become law in the fall of 2004 will not allow the collection of box turtles from the wild in Indiana. If you wish to collect one in another state, you must follow all rules and regulations of that state. If you lawfully collect an eastern box turtle from the wild in another state, you will need a health certificate from a licensed veterinarian in that state before bringing it into Indiana. You will need to apply for a special purpose turtle possession permit within ten (10) days after bringing the turtle into Indiana. You must submit the health certificate and documentation that shows where it was obtained (such as a receipt or copy of a license) with your permit application form.

Can I possess a box turtle as a pet?
Yes, you can possess an eastern box turtle or subspecies as a pet, but only if you obtain a special purpose turtle possession permit and provide documentation that the turtle was obtained lawfully. A box turtle can be obtained in one of the following ways: as a gift from someone who has box turtles under a special purpose turtle possession permit in Indiana, from another state (if obtained lawfully) or if a wild collected turtle is in your possession prior to November 1, 2004. Documentation that the box turtle was lawfully acquired must be submitted with the permit application form.

May I breed box turtles?
No, box turtles may not be bred in Indiana. Captive breeding of box turtles can have detrimental affects on wild box turtle populations:

1. The allowance of captive breeding encourages the taking of healthy animals from their natural habitat.
2. Removing a healthy turtle from the wild population will have a major impact on other box turtles in the area.
3. The allowance of captive breeding encourages individuals to seek out profit-making opportunities without considering the impacts it may have on native, pure populations.
4. Unlike other household pets, turtles that are captive require long-term care. This promotes individuals who have lost interest in the turtle to turn them loose.
5. Captive-bred turtles, whether escaped or released, have a low survival rate in the wild. Those that might survive pose a threat to our native populations.
6. Diseases commonly occurring in captive-bred turtles may spread rapidly in wild populations.
7. Genes of captive-bred turtles can differ from the genes of wild populations. Captive-bred turtles may have genes that are less suitable for survival in local conditions and habitat. When introduced into the wild, these genes weaken the overall box turtle population.

What are the requirements for a permit?
An application form for the special purposes turtle possession permit must be filled out within ten (10) days of taking possession of a box turtle that was not taken from the wild in Indiana before January 1, 2005, or if the box turtle was lawfully acquired in Indiana prior to that date. A receipt, copy of a valid hunting or fishing license, copy of a rehabilitation report form, and all other documentation must be submitted with the application form. A conservation officer must inspect each cage or enclosure and sign the application form. Your local conservation officer may be contacted by calling 317-232-4010, calling law enforcement's regional headquarters (after hours - in the north, call 765-473-9722; in the south, call 812-837-9536) or by calling your local sheriff's department.
The cage or enclosure must make escape of the turtle(s) unlikely and prevent wild turtles from getting in the enclosure (if kept outdoors). The turtles must enough space for exercise and be handled, housed and transported in a sanitary and humane manner. There are no cage size requirements. Mature male and female turtles must be caged separately in an effort to prevent breeding. There is no limit to the number of turtles that can be kept under this permit. All turtles having a carapace length of 4 inches or more must be marked with an AVID reader-compatible PIT tag (similar to a microchip used for dogs). Records must be kept for each turtle possessed and an annual report is required to renew the permit.

For more information about PIT tags you may contact your local veterinarian, a certified PIT tag dealer or contact AVID directly. Online information about Avid can be found by doing a search for “Avid microchip”.

The full Indiana DNR permit and regs FAQ can be found here. http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/endangered/turtle.htm