Box turtle permit in NY

[Turtlefellow]

I have had a pet three toed box turtle for many years in Florida but I would like to bring her with me to NY. The permit seems a little tricky. Educational, scientific, or propagation purposes? Is this something that you just pay the fee and they don’t ask too many questions?

 

[Yvonne G]

Did you read this: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/nys-box-turtle-laws.164271/

 

[zovick]

I have had a pet three toed box turtle for many years in Florida but I would like to bring her with me to NY. The permit seems a little tricky. Educational, scientific, or propagation purposes? Is this something that you just pay the fee and they don’t ask too many questions?

I am not a NY resident, but have held two permits from them for many years. The permits I have require no fees, just an annual report of the activities which have been done under that permit.

Several of my friends do live in NY and have permits for keeping Radiated Tortoises. I do not believe those require a fee, either.

My advice would be to contact the NYS DEC Special Permits Division and tell them what you want to do. It may be as simple as filling out a one or two page form with no fee required. Or it may not, I am just stating what I know from my own knowledge regarding permits for keeping Radiated Tortoises and studying and collecting Bog Turtles.

 

[Turtlefellow]

Did you read this: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/nys-box-turtle-laws.164271/

I did but it’s 7 years old and it’s not that helpful. The actual permits are confusing. Do I have to lie and say I’m using it for education?

 

[zovick]

I did but it’s 7 years old and it’s not that helpful. The actual permits are confusing. Do I have to lie and say I’m using it for education?

Just call them up and ask. Here is the phone number for the Special Licenses Unit. If this is not the right place, they will be able to tell you where to call: 518-402-8985

 

[jaizei]

I did but it’s 7 years old and it’s not that helpful. The actual permits are confusing. Do I have to lie and say I’m using it for education?

You might want to contact them to see if they consider three toed to be a sub species of Easterns, or a separate species. Sub species would probably require a permit (at least based on how its written), separate species should not.

 

[zovick]

I did but it’s 7 years old and it’s not that helpful. The actual permits are confusing. Do I have to lie and say I’m using it for education?

I just emailed the DEC and asked them if you need a permit or not, and if so, which one. Stay tuned for the answer. There were no fees for any of the ones I saw listed.

 

[Turtlefellow]

I just emailed the DEC and asked them if you need a permit or not, and if so, which one. Stay tuned for the answer. There were no fees for any of the ones I saw listed.

Wow thanks!

 

[zovick]

Wow thanks!

You do not need a permit for your Box Turtle in NY State. Here is the response from the NY DEC Special License Department:

Good morning,

Three-toed box turtles are not native to New York therefore no license is required to have it in NY.

Kindly,

Jenna Campbell

She/her
Fish and Wildlife Technician 1, Special Licenses Unit
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
625 Broadway Albany NY 12233-4752
P: 518-402-8985 | F: 518-402-8925 | [email protected]
www.dec.ny.gov

 

[Turtlefellow]

You do not need a permit for your Box Turtle in NY State. Here is the response from the NY DEC Special License Department:

Good morning,

Three-toed box turtles are not native to New York therefore no license is required to have it in NY.

Kindly,

Jenna Campbell

She/her
Fish and Wildlife Technician 1, Special Licenses Unit
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
625 Broadway Albany NY 12233-4752
P: 518-402-8985 | F: 518-402-8925 | [email protected]
www.dec.ny.gov

Thanks very much!

 

[zovick]

Thanks very much!

You are welcome. Glad I could take that worry off your mind.

 

[MenagerieGrl]

I did but it’s 7 years old and it’s not that helpful. The actual permits are confusing. Do I have to lie and say I’m using it for education?

Why Lie, I have 2 boxies. I've been told they are Gulf Coast Box Turtles. As with my other (kids), dogs, parrot's & house pigeon, I take my Tort's & Turtles out to farmers markets, basically to show kids. To teach them how to care for, explain who they are and where they are from and not be afraid of them. I usually get a crowd around me. If you did that occasionally, it WOULD be educational...IMHO