Turtles in the wild should stay in the wild
Keeping a wild turtle is bad for the individual turtle and the general turtle population.
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department (VTFW) says keeping native turtles as pets is prohibited because it can harm the turtle and pose threats to wild turtle populations. In addition, moving turtles to a new area can spread disease and impact the genetics of the local population.
According to Luke Groff, VTFW herpetologist, adult turtles usually have well-defined home ranges and know where to find food, mates, and shelter. However, a turtle released in unfamiliar habitat may roam greater distances, increasing the odds it will cross roads and be run over.
For some turtle populations, such as rare species populations, the loss of even a few mature females can have serious consequences because turtles are slow to develop, especially at northern latitudes where the growing season is short.
The wood, spotted, spiny softshell, and eastern musk turtles are rare in Vermont, and VTFW urges individuals to report sightings of these species to the Vermont Reptile and Amphibian Atlas at vtherpatlas.org. When a Vermont native turtle is encountered in the wild, feel free to take a photo home, but leave the turtles in the wild.
For more information on Vermont’s native turtle species, visit VTFW website at https://vtfishandwildlife.com/ or contact Vermont Fish and Wildlife herpetologist Luke Groff at Luke.Groff@vermont.gov.
