North Carolina Administrative Code
Title 10A - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Chapter 41 - EPIDEMIOLOGY HEALTH
Subchapter A - COMMUNICABLE DISEASE CONTROL
Section .0300 - SPECIAL CONTROL MEASURES
Section 41A .0302 - SALE OF TURTLES RESTRICTED

(a) To prevent the spread of salmonellosis from pet turtles to humans, no turtle with a carapace length of less than four inches shall be sold, offered for sale, or bartered by any retail or wholesale establishments except as follows:

(b) For establishments selling turtles in accordance with Paragraph (a) of this Rule, the following information, or words having similar meaning, shall be posted at every display of turtles for retail sale, printed on the sales receipt issued by the seller at the time of the sale, or printed on an information sheet accompanying the sales receipt issued by the seller:

"CAUTION: Children under 5 years old and people with weak immune systems (such as chemotherapy patients or those with HIV/AIDS) should avoid contact with reptiles. These people can get very sick from a germ called Salmonella that reptiles carry. Reptiles include lizards, snakes, alligators, and turtles. Wash hands thoroughly after handling turtles or material that had contact with turtles. Do not allow water or any other substance that had contact with turtles to come in contact with food or areas where food is prepared. Do not bathe turtles or clean their tanks in your kitchen or bathroom and do not have close contact with turtles which could allow direct contamination of the mouth (e.g., kissing, etc.)."

(c) The seller shall keep a record of all purchases, losses, and other dispositions of turtles for at least one year.