Turtle Adoption In North Carolina: What's The Cost?

North Carolina is home to a diverse range of turtle species, with 22 types of turtles inhabiting the state. The state's abundant waterways, including freshwater rivers and streams, ponds, lakes, and the ocean, provide a suitable environment for a wide range of turtles. The climate, landscape, and unique habitats of North Carolina make it an ideal place for turtles to thrive. The Eastern Box Turtle, for example, is the state reptile and can be found all across North Carolina, from grasslands to marshes and woodland regions. The cost of a turtle in North Carolina varies depending on the species, with prices ranging from $20 to $450. It is important to note that most native turtles cannot be kept as pets in North Carolina, and it is illegal to take or possess any endangered or threatened species.

Turtle prices in North Carolina range from $20 to $450

Turtle prices in North Carolina vary depending on the species, age, and other factors. The price range for turtles in the state generally falls between $20 and $450.

The Common Snapping Turtle, for instance, is priced between $20 and $40. Known for their distinctive hooked jaws and aggressive nature, these turtles are commonly found in larger bodies of water like lakes. With a lifespan of 30 to 50 years, they can grow up to 8 to 20 inches in size.

On the other hand, the Eastern River Cooter, a large freshwater species, is priced more affordably at $20 to $50. These turtles are identified by their dark green shells with C-shaped markings and are found in fast-moving rivers and streams. They have a lifespan of 20 to 40 years and can reach sizes of 8 to 16 inches.

The Diamondback Terrapin, a beautiful species with diamond-shaped patterns on their shells, falls in the higher price range of $250 to $300. They are found in brackish waters or estuaries along the coastal waters of North Carolina.

The smallest turtle species in North America, the Bog Turtle, is also one of the most expensive, priced between $250 and $450. These tiny turtles, with their bright orange or yellow patches, are critically endangered and face threats from habitat loss and the pet trade.

It's important to note that not all turtles can be legally kept as pets in North Carolina. The Eastern Box Turtle, for example, is protected and cannot be kept as a pet in the state. Additionally, some species like the Red-eared Slider are considered invasive and should not be released into the wild.

It is illegal to keep most native turtles as pets

In North Carolina, it is illegal to keep most native turtles as pets. The only species that can be kept as pets are the Eastern Mud Turtle, Striped Mud Turtle, Common Musk Turtle, and Common Snapping Turtle. All other species are forbidden.

This is because many turtle species are endangered or vulnerable, and there are laws in place to ensure their safety and protect their environments. Removing turtles from their natural habitats can have a detrimental effect on the local ecosystem and other native animal populations.

In North Carolina, it is unlawful to take or possess any endangered, threatened, or special concern species at any time. These include the Bog Turtle, Diamondback Terrapin, Eastern Spiny Softshell, Stripeneck Musk Turtle, Spotted Turtle, and all Sea Turtles.

It is also illegal to release pet turtles into the wild in North Carolina.

If you want to obtain one of the legal pet turtle species in North Carolina, make sure to only adopt or buy a captive-bred specimen.

North Carolina's state reptile is the Eastern Box Turtle

North Carolina is home to a wide range of turtle species, including freshwater turtles and sea turtles. The state's abundant waterways and diverse landscapes provide a suitable environment for these turtles, making them an integral part of the state's ecological balance.

Among the many turtle species found in North Carolina, the Eastern Box Turtle holds a special place as the official state reptile. Designated as such in 1979, the Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) is a native subspecies of the common box turtle, known for its distinctive hinged shell. This unique feature gives the turtle its name, as it can fully retract its head and legs into its shell and clamp it shut, forming a protective "box".

The Eastern Box Turtle is a small to medium-sized turtle, typically reaching a maximum length of 8 inches (20 cm). It has a highly domed carapace (top shell) and a hinged plastron (bottom shell) that allows it to completely enclose itself when threatened. The carapace is usually brown with orange or yellow patterns, while the plastron is often dark brown with yellow or orange blotches.

Eastern Box Turtles are found in a variety of habitats, including forested areas, grasslands, marshes, meadows, swamps, and even neighbourhoods. They are active during the day, especially after rains, and prefer moist environments with lots of underbrush. These turtles have a strong homing instinct and typically stay within a small territory of less than 2 acres.

As omnivores, Eastern Box Turtles have a varied diet that includes plants, roots, fish, snails, berries, fungi, small birds, and even snakes. They are slow to mature and have a low reproductive rate, making them susceptible to human-induced threats such as habitat fragmentation and road-related mortality.

In North Carolina, it is illegal to keep Eastern Box Turtles as pets, and their declining populations are closely monitored by conservationists. Captive breeding and purchasing turtles from captive-bred sources are encouraged to help protect wild populations.

Turtles play a critical role in the state's ecological balance

North Carolina is home to a diverse array of turtle species, with 16 non-sea turtle species and 5 sea turtle species. The state's abundant waterways and landscapes provide a suitable environment for a wide range of turtles, including freshwater rivers and streams, ponds, lakes, and even the ocean. The turtles in North Carolina play a critical role in maintaining the state's ecological balance, and their habitats are essential for preserving biodiversity.

One of the most common turtle species in North Carolina is the Eastern Box Turtle, which is also the state reptile. These turtles are found across the state in various habitats, including grasslands, marshes, and woodland regions. They have beautiful orange patterns across their dark shells and skin and are known for their ability to completely retract into their shell when threatened. Eastern Box Turtles are protected in North Carolina, and it is illegal to keep them as pets or take them from the wild.

Another important species is the Diamondback Terrapin, which is found along the coastlines of North Carolina in coastal marshes and tidal creeks. These turtles prefer brackish water and have ornate patterns on their shells. They are considered a threatened species due to hunting and crab traps.

The Bog Turtle is a small freshwater turtle found in western North Carolina. They prefer boggy habitats and woodland regions, where they can hide in the mud. Bog Turtles are considered critically endangered due to habitat loss and the pet trade.

The Spotted Turtle is another significant species, found in the eastern parts of the state near marshes and similar habitats. They are small, with adults growing to about 3-5 inches, and have distinctive spots on their shells.

The Yellow-bellied Slider is a common species found across the eastern half of North Carolina. They are often seen in the freshwater bodies of the state, such as lakes, ponds, and rivers. They are identified by the distinctive yellow stripes on their brown and black shells.

In addition to these species, North Carolina is also home to the Eastern Chicken Turtle, Eastern River Cooter, Florida Cooter, Eastern Mud Turtle, Striped Mud Turtle, Common Musk Turtle, Northern Red-bellied Cooter, Eastern Painted Turtle, Gulf Coast Spiny Softshell, Eastern Spiny Softshell, and several species of sea turtles.

The diverse range of turtle species in North Carolina reflects the state's rich ecological tapestry. The conservation of these species is crucial for maintaining the state's ecological balance and preserving biodiversity.

There are 22 species of turtles in North Carolina

North Carolina is home to a diverse array of turtle species, with 22 species inhabiting the state. Of these, 17 are freshwater turtles and 5 are endangered sea turtles. The state's abundant waterways, including freshwater rivers and streams, ponds, lakes, and the ocean, provide a suitable environment for these turtles. The turtles of North Carolina play a critical role in maintaining the state's ecological balance and preserving its biodiversity.

• Bog Turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii): Bog turtles are North America's smallest turtle species, often found in western North Carolina's wet and marshy areas close to bogs and woodlands. They have dark shells with yellow or reddish hues and a bright patch on their heads.
• Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina): The Eastern Box Turtle is the state reptile of North Carolina and can be found across the state in grasslands, marshes, and woodlands. It has beautiful orange patterns on its dark shell and skin.
• Eastern Chicken Turtle (Deirochelys reticularia reticularia): This medium-sized semi-aquatic turtle is found in eastern and southeastern counties of the state. It has a green shell with yellow net-like markings and a long striped neck.
• Eastern River Cooter (Pseudemys concinna): A large freshwater aquatic species found in fast-moving rivers and streams across eastern North Carolina. They have dark green shells with C-shaped markings.
• Florida Cooter (Pseudemys floridana): This semi-aquatic freshwater turtle is found across eastern North Carolina and prefers coastal plains, rivers, or swamps with sandy bottoms. They have dark green shells with swirling orange patterns.
• Northern Red-bellied Cooter (Pseudemys rubriventris): This large aquatic turtle is found in a few eastern counties, favoring rivers and ponds with soft bottoms. They are easily identified by their reddish underbellies and shells ranging from olive green to black.
• Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin): This species is found along the coastal waters of North Carolina and has a stunning diamond-shaped pattern on its shell. They can live in both salt and freshwater.
• Eastern Mud Turtle (Kinosternon subrubrum): The Eastern Mud Turtle is a small aquatic turtle found across North Carolina, except for the western regions. They have sharp beaks and aggressive behavior.
• Striped Mud Turtle (Kinosternon baurii): This small aquatic turtle is found across eastern North Carolina in still waters such as swamps and wetlands. They have dark brown oval shells with three yellowish vertical stripes.
• Common Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus): The Common Musk Turtle is a small nocturnal turtle found across North Carolina in slow-moving waters with dense vegetation. They emit a pungent odor when threatened, earning the nickname "Stinkpot."
• Stripe-necked Musk Turtle (Sternotherus minor peltifer): This subspecies of the Loggerhead Musk Turtle is found in two western counties near the Tennessee border. They have larger heads and green shells with bold stripes.
• Eastern Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta picta): This common species is found across eastern North Carolina, favoring slower-moving waters like lakes and ponds. They have dark shells edged in yellow to red, with bold yellow stripes on their faces.
• Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans): The Red-eared Slider is a non-native invasive species in North Carolina, introduced through the release of captive specimens. They are strong swimmers and spend most of their time underwater.
• Yellow-bellied Slider (Trachemys scripta scripta): This species spends most of its time in the water and can be found across eastern North Carolina. They have yellowish plastrons and markings, with prominent yellow stripes behind their eyes.
• Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina): This large, freshwater species is found across North Carolina in larger bodies of water. They have distinctive hooked jaws and aggressive behavior.
• Spiny Softshell Turtle (Apalone spinifera): There are two subspecies of Spiny Softshell Turtles in North Carolina: the Eastern and Gulf Coast varieties. They have leathery, pancake-like shells with small spines.

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