Admittedly, turtles are not the cuddliest of pets—they have hard shells and they’re scaly, plus they’re wet and slimy for most of the time. Nevertheless, you also have to admit that they can be terribly cute at times—their glassy eyes, short and plump legs, and even their slow and awkward movements contribute to making them one of the most adorable reptiles ever. This is one of the many reasons why a significant number of children and adults go to pet dealers and pet supplies stores looking for baby turtles to buy and bring home.

Unfortunately, many of these people are not aware that caring for turtles can be quite demanding—yes, they’re not low-maintenance pets despite their seemingly lazy and nonchalant disposition. In fact, many more people are not aware that it can be illegal to own and keep turtles as pets in some parts of the country. So before you go to a store that sells pet supplies in Milperra and buy a terrarium and other accessories and pet products for turtles, do give the following paragraphs a read.

Turtles, like all other reptiles, are protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Act to prevent them from becoming extinct, with the National Parks and Wildlife Service commissioned to keep records of their numbers and maintain control over their dissemination. This is what makes buying and keeping a turtle as a pet somewhat of a challenge. Though it is legal to own a turtle in most parts of the country, certain states and territories have strict laws about selling turtles in animal and pet supplies stores or even in private parties.

Because of the challenges that comes with buying pet turtles, you may be tempted to simply take one from the wilds or keep one that has wandered into your backyard. This, again, is illegal.

So how do you get to own and keep a turtle for a pet with all these regulations?

If you truly have your heart set in turtle-care, you first need to obtain a license from the NPWS—a Class I license should suffice. But if you’re planning on taking care of the more exotic species of turtles, then you’ll need a Class II license. If you are under 16 years of age, you’ll need your parent’s consent before you are awarded a license.

With regard to buying turtles, make it a point to buy from a member of the Australian Herpetological Society. They have several branches all over the country and you should have no trouble contacting one near your locale. There are also turtles being sold online, though extra caution should be taken when buying pets from online sellers. You have to make sure that the pets—or in this case the turtles—that they are selling are not poached from the wild.