Is it illegal to have a desert tortoise in Arizona?

Is it legal to own a tortoise in Arizona? It is illegal in Arizona to collect, hunt, breed or harm a desert tortoise. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the Mojave Desert tortoise as threatened in 1990, according to Game and Fish.

Table of Contents

Is it legal to keep a desert tortoise?

It is the law in the State of California that a permit is needed to possess a desert tortoise, Gopherus agassizii, as well as any other species of Gopherus tortoise such as a Texas tortoise (G.

What do you do if you find a desert tortoise in Arizona?

If you have found a desert tortoise that appears unhealthy, lost, or injured, take pictures of the top of the shell, and front and back of the tortoise and email them to [email protected] or sent via text message to 480-694-8395.

Are turtles legal in Arizona?

A hunting license is required to capture many of Arizona’s reptile species, and a fishing license is required to capture many of Arizona’s amphibian species. Protected species, such as the desert tortoise and the ornate box turtle, are not allowed to be collected even with a license.

Can you own a sulcata tortoise in Arizona?

Turtle Ownership Laws in Arizona It is illegal to possess, keep or import any desert tortoise or ornate box turtle, without a permit issued by the state. It is illegal to possess more than one desert tortoise, even with a permit. It is illegal to release pet turtles in the wild.

Do you need a Licence for a tortoise?

All Annex A tortoises require an Article 10 licence (A10) before any commercial transaction (sale) can take place. However, there is no requirement for a licence in order to possess an Annex A tortoise, or if you give one away as a gift.

Are tortoise shells illegal?

Selling turtle shell has been banned since the 1990s, and buying turtle shell products is illegal in most countries. Turtle shell products continue to be sold illegally in many Central American and Southeast Asian countries, and this has posed a threat to the population of this endangered species.

What do you do if you find a desert tortoise in your backyard?

Found a Desert Tortoise? If it is in an undeveloped area, leave it alone. If it is in a residential area, away from natural areas, it is likely an escaped captive tortoise, and the CTTC should be contacted to try to find its owner through the Department’s permitting program or to arrange for its adoption.

What turtles are illegal in Arizona?

POSSESSION

Beginning January 1, 2013, a person shall not own, possess, keep, harbor, import or transport into this state, have custody or control of.
or propagate any Desert Tortoise or Ornate Box Turtle without a permit issued by the state.
event shall any person possess more than one bag or possession limit.

Can you still have tortoises as pets?

Where you buy your tortoise: You can buy from a breeder, retailer or a private seller looking to find a new home for their pet tortoise. Many private sellers also offer to sell tortoise kit items along with the pet, which could help reduce the costs of your tortoise setup.

Do tortoises have to be microchipped?

Tortoises must be microchipped at least several weeks before hibernation, to make sure the implantation site has plenty of time to heal. Lizards come in a range of shapes and sizes. In most species, if they are large enough, the microchip is placed in the muscle of the back left leg, or under the skin in this area.

Why is tortoise shell illegal?

In 1977, the tortoiseshell trade was finally prohibited by the newly created conservation treaty known as CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

Can I sell tortoise shell on Ebay?

Turtles and Tortoise Shell Items? You can only sell things made from Turtle shells if they are harvested form non endangered species. Here is a list of the ENDANGERED or Restricted Species 39 all together. If you do a listing of an old Tortoise Shell Comb make sure to identify the species.

Is it illegal to have tortoise?

There are a lot of exotic pets and species of endangered animals that are listed as “banned pets” in India. While you may think owning a parrot or a tortoise is harmless, keeping them as pets is not just unethical but illegal, and can land you in jail.

Is it legal to own a Sonoran desert tortoise?

While there is no legal limit to the number of desert tortoises a California resident may possess in state, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife strongly discourages having males and females together in captivity or breeding captive desert tortoises.

Is it legal to own a sulcata tortoise in Arizona?

Arizona Game and Fish Commission Order 43, Subsection E, limits possession of a captive desert tortoise to one per person per household, and directs progeny to be gifted to another person within 24 months of hatching or as directed by the Arizona Game and Fish Department (R12-4-407 (A)).

Why are desert tortoises endangered?

Agassiz’s desert tortoise are threatened by habitat loss and human disturbance, renewable energy development, invasive species, climate change and disease. Gopher tortoises are threatened by habitat loss, incompatible forest management, disease and illegal hunting for food.