Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, we have a predicament, we just moved back to the state of maine, and maine has strange laws on everything, my husband wants an alligator snapping turtle bad! but cannot find info on maines laws to see if they are legal, does anyone know this answer? thank you so much!

While it's good that you want to comply with the law, sometimes it's better to let sleeping dogs alone.

Even if alligator snappers were outlawed, why tell anyone? Besides, stupid herp regs are seldom enforced. I mean, most cities can't even keep up with stray dogs much less bother to check if someone has turtles.

Regs pertaining to poisonous snakes may be worthwhile due to some real accidetns that can occur but for turtles, I'd just go ahead and get your snapper unless you plan to keep it in your unfenced backyard in a neighboorhood that is full of kids. There is of course a common sense factor involved with keeping herps but basically don't ask, don't tell

Jodi

The issue with Alligator Snappers is not that they are dangerous and might just be confiscated and result in a small fine... The problem is that they are listed as endangered in most (maybe all) of their range. Even if there is no law in Maine, it would have to come from somewhere and even though they are not federally listed (as far as I can tell) it sounds like federal environmental law kicks in if they are taken from another state where they are listed. I don't know all the details here, but it's a lot more complicated than Jodi is thinking, so do some serious research before you proceed.

www.ruralmissouri.org/04Julyturtles.html

Story on the owner of Loggerhead Acres.

His website is www.turtleman.com, but it wouldn't load when I tried it--may be temporarily down. I believe he can fill you in on the required permits.

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Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet