Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

Can you keep Eastern Box Turtles outside year-round if you live in Massachusetts? Or should they hibernate indoors in a fridge? I live in southeastern Mass, right on the RI line, and I'm pretty sure eastern box turtles occur naturally in my area. Do they make good pets? Hardy? Good personality?

Thanks,

Jeff

"Can you keep Eastern Box Turtles outside year-round if you live in Massachusetts? Or should they hibernate indoors in a fridge? I live in southeastern Mass, right on the RI line, and I'm pretty sure eastern box turtles occur naturally in my area. Do they make good pets? Hardy? Good personality?"

I'm sorry for this brief reply...
Yes, especially if they're from the Northeast...it's your preference, there are advantages to both...yes, they occur or occured there...yes, great pets...yes, very hardy as adults but relatively tough as hatchlings...wonderful personality!!

Check your wildlife laws. Mass. is very restrictive with its wildlife. You may need a permit. Also, you may have to purchase the animals from an out-of-state source. Try to contact a wildlife/reptile rescue organization in Mass.. Many times, this is a great way to obtain legal animals in a restrictive state.

I think Rouen lives up near there. He may have some great input for you. I think he keeps three-toes outdoors up there.

If it were me, I might only keep a 'local' turtle outdoors year round: for example, I'm in central VA and would think twice about keeping a turtle from, say, coastal SC outside year-round in my climate here, where it gets quite a bit colder in the winter.

That having been said, I don't think that you can legally collect a local turtle to keep as a pet in your state...as Ken mentioned, there is another poster who lives in MA but I believe he only keeps 3-toeds, due to state regulations pertaining to easterns. He might have additional info to share.

I've provided a link to a Massachusetts turtle rescue site that has info about keeping eastern box turtles in MA. I think you can contact them for more particulars.
Link

The laws in Massachusetts incorrectly refers to Terrepene carolina in general instead of the native Terrepene carolina carolina specifically (although this is something local herpers have been after them about for years). Apparently the law can grandfather pet Eastern Box Turtles (and other native species) where the person can prove the animal was in their possession and in the state of Massachusetts by July 1, 1980. Otherwise, permitting only seems possible where genuine scientific research etc. can be proven. Man, I'm so glad I'm living on the other side of the world now.

Mass turtle law explained