This information should cover the basics of what you need to know about sea turtle laws. If you want to get a permit to work with sea turtles, you should visit the Fish and Wildlife Government website, where you will find all the details you need: www.fws.gov. All of the species listed above are aquatic, with the exception of the Eastern box turtle, which spends most of its life on land. But even this land-loving species inhabits many species of habitats, including forests and fields, as well as along the edges of swamps, bogs, and streams. The Eastern box turtle is also the only turtle that can completely lock itself in its shell if it senses danger. It`s handy when you encounter a predator like a fox or coyotes, but it doesn`t help if you`re crossing a road trying to dodge vehicles. This page contains many resources that you can use, and one of them includes how to move turtles safely on roads. We all need to help these animals survive because they are amazing, deserve it themselves, and are our backyard neighbors. Adult turtles live a long time! Some, like this box turtle, can live more than 100 years. However, because turtle eggs and juvenile turtles have so many predators and other survival difficulties, only a small percentage of turtles reach adulthood. Survival is crucial for adult turtles, who are fortunate to have overcome the many obstacles of their youth. For this reason, turtles have to live for many years and breed several times to replace themselves and their populations. The loss of adult turtles, especially adult females, can very quickly lead to the local extinction of a population.
If the original permit for the removal of a sea turtle from the wild allows it, the specimen may be transferred between the original accommodation facility and others, including outside the state, without additional permission from the service. Note that both parties to a transfer must create and maintain documents proving that a sea turtle was legally captured and possessed. Copies of existing authorizations should accompany consignments of sea turtles. There are many threats to all types of turtles, aquatic or terrestrial, and all affect the health and well-being of their population. The greatest threat is habitat loss, including habitat fragmentation and degradation. Turtles need a varied habitat to survive. Often the place where a turtle feeds is not the place where it buzzes or spends time in winter. The areas where females lay their eggs can be very different from those where the same females eat and rest. Other threats to turtles include their collection as pets, increased diseases caused by pollutants, predation on adults and juveniles, and injuries and deaths on busy roads. It is illegal to trade turtles in Massachusetts without state permission. Other mortality factors are: – illegal collection – predators, such as raccoons (increase in suburban areas) – hay shearing – firefighting – competition with introduced species – diseases introduced by exotic species We love our turtles and want to continue seeing them in the wild.
To access all these resources in one season, many turtles cross the roads. Cars and trucks are among the biggest threats to turtles. These turtles are usually docile but become very aggressive when removed from the water. One of the best ways to calm an aggressive person is to put them back in the water where they can feel safe. I know I personally picked them up with a big snow shovel to get them off the road and back safely! One way to distinguish the Red-bellied Blower from other turtles is to look at the pattern on its head. The lighter markings form a distinct arrow shape on the head, pointing to the muzzle! (b) sales; general prohibition. Except as otherwise provided in this section, viable turtle eggs and live turtles with a shell length of less than 4 inches shall not be sold, held for sale or offered for any other commercial or public purpose. [emphasis added] It is illegal to possess the following species of turtles: These are Massachusetts laws regarding turtles.
Laws can sometimes be very fuzzy and difficult to understand, so I did my best to simplify them without losing their meaning. One last thing I want to mention is that state laws don`t always completely cover all turtle species, they usually focus on native species, so if you`re still not sure if you can own or sell a particular turtle species, you should visit the resources section, there you will find a link to the State Department that deals with wildlife. This is where I did the research for this article, their website also includes a contact page where you can get in touch with them if you have a specific question. These turtles live in swamps, bogs, and small streams in eastern Massachusetts, but can also be found on land. They nest in open grasslands, often quite far from their water source. It is almost impossible to accurately estimate the population of painted turtles in Massachusetts. Many people keep them as pets and then release them back into the wild, resulting in an ever-increasing range and unstable breeding rates. These released turtles can also put pressure on natural populations. And this individual was still alive and strong at that age! In addition to a very long lifespan, these turtles have a very long juvenile period and begin to breed only at the age of 18-20 years.