POSSESSION

1.  No person shall take or possess Chelydra serpentina Snapping Turtle, Chrysemys picta Painted Turtle, Clemmys guttata Spotted Turtle, Glyptemys insculpta Wood Turtle, Graptemys geographica Northern Map Turtle, Sternotherus odoratus Stinkpot (Eastern Musk Turtle) or Apalone spinifera Spiny Softshell except when exempted by permit for scientific, educational or conservation purposes

2.  Any person within the state of Vermont interested in purchasing, importing, or possessing a pet or animal must determine whether that pet or animal species first requires an Importation and Possession Permit from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. Only captive bred turtles on the following list do not require a permit:

• Chrysemys picta dorsalis Southern painted turtle
• Trachemys scripta elegans Red-eared slider
• Trachemys scripta scripta Yellowbelly slider
• Trachemys scripta troostii Cumberland slider
• Agrionemys horsfieldii Russian tortoise
• Geochelone carbonaria Red-footed tortoise

All other species require a permit.

3.  All captive bred only species must be accompanied by a statement of origin or certificate of veterinary inspection identifying the business  of origin and the number of individual animals imported to the individual/business.

4.  Individuals, educational institutions, or research facilities seeking to import or collect animals for the purposes of education or bona fide research must first obtain a Scientific Collection Permit. Individuals conducting any research or field activity that may result in the pursuit, capture, disturbance, handling, injury, death, or importation of any State threatened and endangered species are required to first obtain an Endangered Species Permit.

5.  Any person breeding and propagating wild animals must obtain from the commissioner a license to do so; unless the species is listed as a domestic bird or animal, domestic pet, or unrestricted wild animal.

TAKING FROM THE WILD

1.  All native species of turtles in Vermont are protected and may not be taken or possessed

COMMERCIAL

1.  All commercial dealers in Vermont, including, but not limited to pet shop owners and all persons who import, export, and/or sell animals must first obtain a valid Dealer’s Permit