About Turtle Farming

Turtle farming has not been around as a commercial operation for very long. There are certain requirements and regulations to operate a turtle farm in the United States. Health concerns, conservation and profitability have led to an ongoing discussion about turtle farming in various forms and methods. Here are some quick facts about turtle farming.

  1. History

    • Turtle farming began in the 1940s. In the 1970s, salmonella was discovered in baby turtles with shells under 4 inches long. In 1975, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) banned the domestic sale of turtles with shells under 4 inches long because of salmonella concerns.

    Identification

    • Turtle farming is where turtles are grown specifically for sale to pet suppliers, export and food. Twenty-six varieties of turtles are farmed. The most common turtle used is the Red Eared Turtle. Over 15 million turtles are harvested yearly.

    Geography

    • Turtles are exported to many parts of the world, including China, Japan and Mexico. Turtle farming and harvesting is regulated in the United States, though not in other parts of the world. Most domestic turtle farms operate in the southern United States. There are turtle farms as far north as Maryland.

    Significance

    • Licenses and permits are required to operate a turtle farm. Licenses and permits are governed by state agencies. Most state licenses follow FDA guidelines and wildlife conservation laws. Many states have laws governing the import or export of native turtle species.

    Future

    • Turtle farming currently does not include sea turtles. Farming sea turtles requires expensive equipment and availability of sea salt water. Studies on this type of turtle farming are ongoing.