South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 123 - DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Article 5 - NON-GAME AND ENDANGERED SPECIES
Section 123-151.4 - Possession Limits for Certain Native Reptiles and Amphibians

Universal Citation: SC Code Regs 123-151.4

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 3, March 22, 2024

A. A person shall not possess any species listed as endangered or threatened and in need of management pursuant to S.C. Code Sections 50-15-10, et seq. except by permit issued by the Department.

B. A person shall not possess more than 10 native turtles in aggregate.

C. Any person in possession of more than 10 native turtles and in excess of the established possession limits as of September 28, 2020 has 90 days from September 28, 2020 to register with the Department the current number by species of native turtles, both wild-caught and captive born, in their possession. No additional turtles may be acquired until such time as the number of turtles in possession is below the limit set in regulation.

D. A person shall not possess more than 2 eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina). Any person in possession of eastern box turtles in excess of the established possession limits as of September 28, 2020 has 90 days from September 28, 2020 to register with the Department the current number of eastern box turtles, both wild-caught and captive born, in their possession. No new turtles may be acquired until such time as the number of turtles in possession is below the limit set in regulation. Registered turtles will be assigned a unique identification number and must be shell notched with the identification number provided.

1. Permit applicants will shell notch turtles in their possession as prescribed by the Department with the Department issued identification numbers. Permit applicants must provide evidence of applied shell notches and signed affidavit confirming all individual turtles in their possession were shell notched as directed by the Department and that they understand the regulations as they pertain to eastern box turtles. Upon completion, the Department will issue a permit for the registered box turtles.

2. Box turtle permit holders will be required to submit an annual report on the status and number of registered box turtles on a Department provided form.

E. A person shall not possess more than 2 diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin). This provision does not prohibit the incidental catch of diamondback terrapins by persons engaged in a lawful fishery when the terrapins are returned immediately to the water.

F. A person shall not possess more than 5 turtles total from any of the following species/subspecies: Florida cooter (Pseudemys floridana), river cooter (Pseudemys concinna), chicken turtle (Deirochelys reticularia), eastern painted turtle (Chrysemys picta), spiny softshell turtle (Apalone spinifera), Florida softshell turtle (Apalone ferox), eastern mud turtle (Kinosternon subrubrum), striped mud turtle (Kinosternon bauri), common musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus), yellow-bellied slider (Trachemys scripta) and common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina). The above limit does not apply to the lawful possession of yellow-bellied slider (Trachemys scripta) species and the common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) species pursuant to Regulation 123-151.3.

G. The Department may issue scientific collection permits as described in Regulation 123-150.3 in excess of the above limits for scientific and conservation purposes.

H. Zoos and Aquaria maintaining accreditation or certification by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, accredited research institutions under Institutional Care and Use Committees, schools and educational displays open to the public, and Department permitted wildlife rehabilitators may request a permit to exceed the above listed possession limits at the discretion of the Department.

I. Pursuant to S.C. Code Section 50-15-15(B), no native reptiles or amphibians may be possessed or transferred pursuant to S.C. Code Section 50-16-60 except as provided in Regulations 123-151.3 and 123-151.4.

J. The penalties for violation of this regulation are prescribed in S.C. Code Section 50-15-80.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. South Carolina may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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