{"id":119087,"date":"2022-07-24T04:54:07","date_gmt":"2022-07-24T04:54:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/what-turtles-can-you-own-in-pennsylvania\/"},"modified":"2022-07-25T10:13:49","modified_gmt":"2022-07-25T10:13:49","slug":"what-turtles-can-you-own-in-pennsylvania","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/what-turtles-can-you-own-in-pennsylvania\/","title":{"rendered":"What turtles can you own in Pennsylvania?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_17 counter-hierarchy counter-decimal ez-toc-grey\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"display: none;\"><i class=\"ez-toc-glyphicon ez-toc-icon-toggle\"><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1\"><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/what-turtles-can-you-own-in-pennsylvania\/#What_turtles_can_you_own_in_Pennsylvania\" title=\"What turtles can you own in Pennsylvania?\">What turtles can you own in Pennsylvania?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/what-turtles-can-you-own-in-pennsylvania\/#How_many_species_of_turtles_are_in_PA\" title=\"How many species of turtles are in PA?\">How many species of turtles are in PA?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/what-turtles-can-you-own-in-pennsylvania\/#Are_Eastern_box_turtles_native_to_PA\" title=\"Are Eastern box turtles native to PA?\">Are Eastern box turtles native to PA?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/what-turtles-can-you-own-in-pennsylvania\/#Are_box_turtles_endangered_in_PA\" title=\"Are box turtles endangered in PA?\">Are box turtles endangered in PA?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/what-turtles-can-you-own-in-pennsylvania\/#Is_it_legal_to_own_a_tortoise_in_PA\" title=\"Is it legal to own a tortoise in PA?\">Is it legal to own a tortoise in PA?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/what-turtles-can-you-own-in-pennsylvania\/#Are_Eastern_box_turtles_protected_in_Pennsylvania\" title=\"Are Eastern box turtles protected in Pennsylvania?\">Are Eastern box turtles protected in Pennsylvania?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/what-turtles-can-you-own-in-pennsylvania\/#Are_you_allowed_to_have_turtles_as_pets\" title=\"Are you allowed to have turtles as pets?\">Are you allowed to have turtles as pets?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/what-turtles-can-you-own-in-pennsylvania\/#Is_it_legal_to_own_a_Galapagos_tortoise_in_Pennsylvania\" title=\"Is it legal to own a Galapagos tortoise in Pennsylvania?\">Is it legal to own a Galapagos tortoise in Pennsylvania?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/what-turtles-can-you-own-in-pennsylvania\/#How_many_turtle_species_are_in_Pennsylvania\" title=\"How many turtle species are in Pennsylvania?\">How many turtle species are in Pennsylvania?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/what-turtles-can-you-own-in-pennsylvania\/#What_is_the_largest_turtle_in_Pennsylvania\" title=\"What is the largest turtle in Pennsylvania?\">What is the largest turtle in Pennsylvania?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/what-turtles-can-you-own-in-pennsylvania\/#Are_painted_turtles_found_in_Pennsylvania\" title=\"Are painted turtles found in Pennsylvania?\">Are painted turtles found in Pennsylvania?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/what-turtles-can-you-own-in-pennsylvania\/#Are_Eastern_box_turtles_illegal_in_PA\" title=\"Are Eastern box turtles illegal in PA?\">Are Eastern box turtles illegal in PA?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/what-turtles-can-you-own-in-pennsylvania\/#Are_painted_turtles_native_to_Pennsylvania\" title=\"Are painted turtles native to Pennsylvania?\">Are painted turtles native to Pennsylvania?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/what-turtles-can-you-own-in-pennsylvania\/#Do_Eastern_box_turtles_like_to_be_held\" title=\"Do Eastern box turtles like to be held?\">Do Eastern box turtles like to be held?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/what-turtles-can-you-own-in-pennsylvania\/#Are_box_turtles_protected_in_PA\" title=\"Are box turtles protected in PA?\">Are box turtles protected in PA?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/what-turtles-can-you-own-in-pennsylvania\/#What_turtle_is_endangered_in_PA\" title=\"What turtle is endangered in PA?\">What turtle is endangered in PA?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/what-turtles-can-you-own-in-pennsylvania\/#Are_there_box_turtles_in_Pennsylvania\" title=\"Are there box turtles in Pennsylvania?\">Are there box turtles in Pennsylvania?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/what-turtles-can-you-own-in-pennsylvania\/#What_do_Pennsylvania_box_turtles_eat\" title=\"What do Pennsylvania box turtles eat?\">What do Pennsylvania box turtles eat?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/what-turtles-can-you-own-in-pennsylvania\/#What_turtles_are_illegal_to_own_in_PA\" title=\"What turtles are illegal to own in PA?\">What turtles are illegal to own in PA?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/what-turtles-can-you-own-in-pennsylvania\/#Can_you_sell_turtles_in_PA\" title=\"Can you sell turtles in PA?\">Can you sell turtles in PA?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/what-turtles-can-you-own-in-pennsylvania\/#Can_I_pet_my_tortoise\" title=\"Can I pet my tortoise?\">Can I pet my tortoise?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/what-turtles-can-you-own-in-pennsylvania\/#Are_Eastern_box_turtles_protected_in_PA\" title=\"Are Eastern box turtles protected in PA?\">Are Eastern box turtles protected in PA?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/what-turtles-can-you-own-in-pennsylvania\/#What_do_you_do_if_you_find_an_eastern_box_turtle_in_your_yard\" title=\"What do you do if you find an eastern box turtle in your yard?\">What do you do if you find an eastern box turtle in your yard?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/what-turtles-can-you-own-in-pennsylvania\/#Can_you_keep_eastern_box_turtle\" title=\"Can you keep eastern box turtle?\">Can you keep eastern box turtle?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/what-turtles-can-you-own-in-pennsylvania\/#Can_you_have_a_turtle_as_a_pet_in_Australia\" title=\"Can you have a turtle as a pet in Australia?\">Can you have a turtle as a pet in Australia?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_turtles_can_you_own_in_Pennsylvania\"><\/span>What turtles can you own in Pennsylvania?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Except for <b>common snapping turtles, it is unlawful to take any reptile or amphibian from the wild in PA for sale, trade or barter. Therefore, all legally sold pet turtles cannot have been taken from the wild in PA.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-do-i-reset-my-petkit-food-dispenser\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How do I reset my Petkit food dispenser?<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_many_species_of_turtles_are_in_PA\"><\/span>How many species of turtles are in PA?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Pennsylvania is home to <b>13 or 14 species of turtle. Here&#8217;s a look at all of them. The eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) may be the most familiar turtle in Pennsylvania.<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Read also : <a href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/what-kind-of-sparrows-live-in-pennsylvania\/\">How do I report animal cruelty online in the Philippines?<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_Eastern_box_turtles_native_to_PA\"><\/span>Are Eastern box turtles native to PA?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina) is one of Pennsylvania&#8217;s most common terrestrial turtles. <b>It is the only turtle native to central Pennsylvania with a hinged plastron, which is the underside of the shell.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-189565\" src=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Are-Eastern-box-turtles-native-to-PA.jpg\" alt=\"Are Eastern box turtles native to PA?\" width=\"1494\" height=\"780\" srcset=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Are-Eastern-box-turtles-native-to-PA.jpg 1494w, https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Are-Eastern-box-turtles-native-to-PA-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Are-Eastern-box-turtles-native-to-PA-1024x535.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Are-Eastern-box-turtles-native-to-PA-768x401.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1494px) 100vw, 1494px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_box_turtles_endangered_in_PA\"><\/span>Are box turtles endangered in PA?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In Pennsylvania, <b>box turtle numbers are thought to have declined by 11 to 40 percent compared to historic numbers, said Auru Stauffer, wildlife biologist with the state&#8217;s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. That&#8217;s not enough to make them endangered, threatened or even a candidate species.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_it_legal_to_own_a_tortoise_in_PA\"><\/span>Is it legal to own a tortoise in PA?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>It is illegal to own non-native or exotic turtles without a permit from the state. It is illegal to release a non-native pet turtle in the wild.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_Eastern_box_turtles_protected_in_Pennsylvania\"><\/span>Are Eastern box turtles protected in Pennsylvania?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In the Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan 2015-2025: Species of Greatest Conservation Need, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission estimated the box turtle has declined 11-40 percent over 10 years. <b>The species is completely protected in Pennsylvania. None may be taken from the wild in any way.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_you_allowed_to_have_turtles_as_pets\"><\/span>Are you allowed to have turtles as pets?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>It&#8217;s illegal to sell or distribute pet turtles with shells less than 4 inches long because they spread salmonella. Forty years ago, the U.S. outlawed the sale of small turtles as pets because they harbor salmonella, a bacterium that causes a highly unpleasant and occasionally deadly illness in humans.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_it_legal_to_own_a_Galapagos_tortoise_in_Pennsylvania\"><\/span>Is it legal to own a Galapagos tortoise in Pennsylvania?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In addition, also as mentioned in the article, the Galapagos Islands are owned by the country of Ecuador which has passed a law banning removal of any species from the island, including the Galapagos Tortoise. <b>It is basically impossible to acquire one legally<\/b><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Ntjia-AnJig\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_many_turtle_species_are_in_Pennsylvania\"><\/span>How many turtle species are in Pennsylvania?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Pennsylvania is home to <b>13 or 14 species of turtle. Here&#8217;s a look at all of them. The eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) may be the most familiar turtle in Pennsylvania.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_largest_turtle_in_Pennsylvania\"><\/span>What is the largest turtle in Pennsylvania?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The <b>common snapping turtle is the largest Pa. turtle. Adult snappers can reach a shell length of 12 inches, and typically weigh between 15 and 45 pounds.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_painted_turtles_found_in_Pennsylvania\"><\/span>Are painted turtles found in Pennsylvania?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Except for <b>common snapping turtles, it is unlawful to take any reptile or amphibian from the wild in PA for sale, trade or barter. Therefore, all legally sold pet turtles cannot have been taken from the wild in PA.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_Eastern_box_turtles_illegal_in_PA\"><\/span>Are Eastern box turtles illegal in PA?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Is that legal? Except for common snapping turtles, <b>it is unlawful to take any reptile or amphibian from the wild in PA for sale, trade or barter. Therefore, all legally sold pet turtles cannot have been taken from the wild in PA.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_painted_turtles_native_to_Pennsylvania\"><\/span>Are painted turtles native to Pennsylvania?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Pennsylvania is home to <b>13 or 14 species of turtle. Here&#8217;s a look at all of them. The eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) may be the most familiar turtle in Pennsylvania.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-189566\" src=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Are-painted-turtles-native-to-Pennsylvania.jpg\" alt=\"Are painted turtles native to Pennsylvania?\" width=\"1280\" height=\"853\" srcset=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Are-painted-turtles-native-to-Pennsylvania.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Are-painted-turtles-native-to-Pennsylvania-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Are-painted-turtles-native-to-Pennsylvania-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Are-painted-turtles-native-to-Pennsylvania-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_Eastern_box_turtles_like_to_be_held\"><\/span>Do Eastern box turtles like to be held?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Two subspecies, the eastern painted turtle (Chrysemys picta picta) and the midland painted turtle (Chrysemys picta marginata), are found in Pennsylvania. The eastern painted turtle and the midland painted turtle are very closely re- lated. As subspecies they can and do interbreed to produce offspring.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_box_turtles_protected_in_PA\"><\/span>Are box turtles protected in PA?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>The PA Fish and Boat Commission&#8217;s regulations do not regulate possession of non-native species of reptiles and amphibians. So long as these animals are not released into the wild, there are no state regulations regarding their ownership. Likewise, there is no state permit required to possess these animals.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_turtle_is_endangered_in_PA\"><\/span>What turtle is endangered in PA?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The bog turtle<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_there_box_turtles_in_Pennsylvania\"><\/span>Are there box turtles in Pennsylvania?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>The Eastern Box Turtle inhabits a large portion of Pennsylvania. It resides over most of the southern two-thirds of the Commonwealth. Its range in the west also reaches northward into the Lake Erie Basin.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_do_Pennsylvania_box_turtles_eat\"><\/span>What do Pennsylvania box turtles eat?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Prey items taken by box turtles include, <b>snails, worms, insects, spiders, frogs, snakes lizards, small mammals, and carrion. They also eat fruits, berries, leaves and many types of mushrooms.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_turtles_are_illegal_to_own_in_PA\"><\/span>What turtles are illegal to own in PA?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>POSSESSION<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>It is unlawful to possess any Bog Turtle, Eastern Mud Turtle, Redbelly Turtle, Blanding&#8217;s Turtle, Eastern Box Turtle, Spotted Turtle or Wood.<\/li>\n<li>It is unlawful to possess more than one Eastern Musk Turtle, Eastern Painted Turtle, Eastern Spiny Softshell, Map Turtle or Midland Painted.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_you_sell_turtles_in_PA\"><\/span>Can you sell turtles in PA?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In addition, also as mentioned in the article, the Galapagos Islands are owned by the country of Ecuador which has passed a law banning removal of any species from the island, including the Galapagos Tortoise. <b>It is basically impossible to acquire one legally<\/b><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/OUKGN_RDhjc\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_I_pet_my_tortoise\"><\/span>Can I pet my tortoise?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>There are certain endangered species that are protected by the law that are illegal to own, but most of the common ones are not endangered and you can own them as pets. Is it illegal to sell turtles in Pennsylvania? <b>You can legally sell turtles in Pennsylvania only if you have a license or a permit<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_Eastern_box_turtles_protected_in_PA\"><\/span>Are Eastern box turtles protected in PA?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>The PA Fish and Boat Commission&#8217;s regulations do not regulate possession of non-native species of reptiles and amphibians. So long as these animals are not released into the wild, there are no state regulations regarding their ownership. Likewise, there is no state permit required to possess these animals.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_do_you_do_if_you_find_an_eastern_box_turtle_in_your_yard\"><\/span>What do you do if you find an eastern box turtle in your yard?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In the Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan 2015-2025: Species of Greatest Conservation Need, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission estimated the box turtle has declined 11-40 percent over 10 years. <b>The species is completely protected in Pennsylvania. None may be taken from the wild in any way.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_you_keep_eastern_box_turtle\"><\/span>Can you keep eastern box turtle?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>NEVER DISTURB, PICK UP , OR MOVE A BOX TURTLE UNLESS IT HAS A VISIBLE INJURY OR IS IN IMMINENT DANGER. If you find a turtle in the road, move it to the other side in the direction it was going. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO RELOCATE IT. Turtles have small home territories and should be left where they are found.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_you_have_a_turtle_as_a_pet_in_Australia\"><\/span>Can you have a turtle as a pet in Australia?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In Australia, <b>you are not allowed by law to catch any animal from the wild and make it a pet. To have a pet turtle you have to go to a pet shop that specialises in pets such as these. They will tell you if you need a licence to keep the kind of turtle you choose, and if so, they will tell you how to get one.<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Table of Contents What turtles can you own in Pennsylvania?How many species of turtles are in PA?Are Eastern box turtles native to PA?Are box turtles endangered in PA?Is it legal to own a tortoise in PA?Are Eastern box turtles protected in Pennsylvania?Are you allowed to have turtles as pets?Is it legal to own a Galapagos&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":189568,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"default","_kad_post_title":"default","_kad_post_layout":"default","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"default","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"default","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"spay_email":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[619],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/What-turtles-can-you-own-in-Pennsylvania.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/119087"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=119087"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/119087\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":189567,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/119087\/revisions\/189567"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/189568"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=119087"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=119087"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=119087"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}