Young turtles are susceptible to predators on land, in water and from the sky, including birds, raccoons, opossums and foxes. They prefer brackish water and spend their first few years hiding in a swampy grass habitat flooded by flooding twice a day. If you find a turtle outside the habitat, it is best to release it during a flood in the nearest swampy grass habitat. The MCBP reminds citizens when they see pretty and interesting wild animals like turtles, like to look at them from afar and do not take them out of their habitat. If a citizen sees wildlife that appears to be injured, call a local rehabilitator or animal control officer for advice. To find out what suspicious activity appears to be the wildlife collection, contact MNR at 410-260-8888. In 1975, the U.S. government passed regulations with the stated goal of protecting sea turtle eggs, reducing environmental damage, and reducing health risks. In short, this law makes it illegal to sell turtles under 4 inches. This is the law. (2) The collection or possession of diamond turtles in accordance with the terms of a scientific or educational certificate or permit issued under section 4-212 of this Title or section 10-909 of this section; or the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYDEC) contacted the Maryland Department of Natural Resources`s Department of Wildlife and Heritage (DNR) to inform them of the seizure of the diamond-backed turtles. Citizens who collected the diamond turtles received a written warning from NYDEC.
The Maryland Coastal Bays Program last week received two diamond turtles, a symbolic endangered species of the state, and released them into their natural habitat with the help of volunteers. Both diamondbacks were seized in Buffalo, New York. from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SCPA) in Erie County, New York, to individuals who collected the turtles as pets during a vacation in Ocean City earlier this summer. Is it illegal to own turtles in Maryland? No, you can legally own a turtle in Maryland, it all depends on the species. There are some legally protected endangered species that are illegal to possess, but most common species are not endangered and you can own them as pets. The MCBP reminds residents and visitors that it is illegal to take diamond turtles, sea turtles, northern map turtles, swamp turtles, thorny softwood bells, wood turtles or spotted turtles. It is also illegal to sell, trade or exchange a wild turtle captured in Maryland. Sandi Smith, MCBP`s outreach and marketing coordinator, said turtles taken from the wild and kept in pets are often somewhat domesticated and cannot be returned to their natural habitat.
Earlier this summer, visitors from Buffalo, New York, apparently picked up two diamond-backed turtles in Ocean City and brought them back to Buffalo. The turtles were seized by the SPCA in Erie County, New York. The New York Department of Environmental Conservation contacted the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to raise awareness about turtles. It is also illegal to destroy or disturb the nests of sea turtles. In addition, the eggs of the sea turtle should not be sold or disturbed under any circumstances. 5. A permit for reptiles and amphibians in captivity is required if you own turtles less than 4 inches.6. An eligible person may own an unlimited number of animals listed in subsection (1) above that are produced in captivity or legally obtained from land It is illegal to own the following species if they come from the wild: Maryland Wildlife Ecologist Scott Smith of Maryland DNR orchestrated habitat confirmation, permit and transportation for turtles to be released there, in their place. Last Wednesday, the Maryland Coastal Bays Program (MCBP), with the help of volunteers, brought the two rescued diamond turtles back to their natural habitat in an unknown location in West Ocean City. It is illegal to remove any of the following species of turtles: a) Definition. As used in this section, the term “turtles” includes all animals commonly referred to as turtles, turtles, turtles and all other animals of the order Testudinata, class Reptilia, with the exception of marine species (families Dermochelyidae and Cheloniidae). To protect turtles, the law prohibits the removal of certain species from nature.
It is also illegal to own a turtle that is less than 4 inches in length. Reptiles that have been bred in captivity or are not native to Maryland cannot be released into the wild.
