Reptiles/Amphibians

Snakes, turtles, salamanders, and frogs- Maine may not have the variety you see in tropical regions, but we still have them! Our state is home to nine different species of snake, eight species of turtle, and a myriad of amphibians. There are no venomous snakes in Maine, although the timber rattlesnake used to be a native species.

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The Red-eared Slider

The red-eared slider is a turtle native to the southern United States. It is a popular pet species and, unfortunately, this has led to the red-eared slider becoming an invasive animal in New England. Many pet owners, either unable or unwilling to care for their sliders, released the reptiles into the wild instead. They have become a nuisance pest, so much so that as of 2017, the Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife banned the ownership of red-eared sliders completely. It is now illegal to buy or own these turtles in Maine, and that includes buying them out of state and transporting them back.

If you have a red-eared slider you need to give up, call your local PetLife. PetLife stores have an arrangement with IF&W and will take your turtles to be sent to participating sanctuaries in Georgia (their native habitat).