Maine
Turtle possession, collection, and commercial regulations for Maine, as researched by Nauti-Lass Ponds & Critters.
Maine Wildlife AgencyLaws listed here were current as of January 1, 2015. Laws change frequently — always verify with your state's wildlife agency before purchasing or keeping turtles. This is not legal advice.
Native Turtle Species
- Blanding's Turtle
- Common Snapping Turtle
- Eastern Box Turtle
- Painted Turtle
- Spotted Turtle
- Wood Turtle
Law Summary
SUMMARY OF MAINE TURTLE LAWS
POSSESSION
1. Maine Law states that a person may not take and possess turtles from the wild for export, sale, or commercial purposes.
2. Blanding's Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii), Box Turtles (Terrapene carolina), Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata) and Wood Turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) are protected
3. As of 2017, Red-eared Sliders may not be possessed, with or without a permit.
4. Unrestricted turtles and tortoises can be possessed, imported, sold etc. without a permit. Unrestricted species are: Amboina Box Turtle (Cuora amboinensis), Mississippi Mud Turtle (Kinosternon subrubrum hippocrepis), Striped Mud Turtle (Kinosternon baurii), White Lipped Mud Turtle (Kinosternon leucostomum), Greek Tortoise (Testudo graeca), Herman's Tortoise (Testudo hermanni), Red-Foot Tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonaria), Russian Tortoise (Testudo horsfieldii) and the Yellow-foot Tortoise (Chelonoides denticulata). All must be min. 4" diameter and captive bred.
5. A Wildlife Importation Permit is required before any species not listed as "unrestricted" is transported or brought into the State of Maine.
TAKING FROM THE WILD
1. Aside from prohibiting the commercial take of reptiles (including snapping turtles), personal use/take is allowed and legal in Maine (exception being any species listed Endangered/Threatened). Since non-protected turtles are not game, or sport fish, there are no additional specific laws or rules as to harvest regulations, gear, season, etc.
2. No license is required to take non-protected turtles. However, Maine Law states that a person may not take and possess snakes or turtles from the wild for export, sale, or commercial purposes.
COMMERCIAL
1. Turtles taken from the wild may not be sold
2. Once importation and protected species requirements have been met, there doesn't appear to be any additional restrictions for captive bred or exotic species as to sale, export etc.