Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My wife and I are going to be attending the Tinley park reptile show next week and we plan on picking up a leopord tort while we are there, since we got our first one there last year. I was wondering because I know that people online say that they are selling torts and have a vet cert that comes with the animal for interstate travle. Do you need to have some form of vet documentation for interstate travel with all torts or just some breeds... is this something I need to make sure I get before I leave the show this year because last year I never thought to ask for something like that.

Matt

Leopards and spur thighs.

They are still worried about that African tick even though they haven't imported either species in years.

Happy shopping!

For many states there is a health cert requirement to bring any animal across state lines. If you transport an animal from IN into IL with out a health cert that is actually considered a violation. Other states (Wisconsin is one) require it as well. That would be why there are many shows that have a vet on hand to offer health certs. This isn't just for reptiles but dogs and cats and rabbits and well you get the idea.
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Cindy Steinle
PHFaust
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As already mentioned the Leopard tortoise and the African spurred tortoise require an accredited veterinarian to examine the tortoises for ticks, and issue a certificate of veterinarian inspection stating the tortoise is free of ticks, in order to transport those species across any state line. The Bell’s hinge-back tortoise is included in this group.

If the tortoises were transported, from out of state to the show, and there is not a show veterinarian, the vendor should be able to give you a copy of his health certificate (assuming he transported the tortoises legally). It is a violation of federal law to transport the tortoise across state lines without the health certificate.

You can go to the below web page for specific requirements for your state:

USDA - APHIS State Import and Export regulations