Maryland

Maryland DNR general rules: 

1. You cannot remove specific turtles (wood, spotted, diamondback terrapin, Northern Map, Bog Turtle, Spiny Softshell, and sea turtles) from the wild. 
2. It's illegal to possess any turtle under 4 inches long. 
3. A permit is required to possess, breed, or sell certain other native species and for any commercial trade in reptiles
4. You also cannot release captive or non-native reptiles into the wild unless the following is true:

• They have not been held in captivity with any other reptile or amphibian, 
• They have not been in captivity for more than 30 days, or;
• Written authorization is given by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

The Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) contains regulations that define wildlife and turtles/tortoises in Maryland. 

• Division of State Documents to https://dsd.maryland.gov/Pages/default.aspx
• View or download the sections of COMAR by searching this website: https://dsd.maryland.gov/Pages/COMARHome.aspx

Hunting, fishing or collecting snapping turtles for commercial or noncommercial purposes (COMAR 08.02.06.01) - https://dsd.maryland.gov/regulations/Pages/08.02.06.01.aspx

Wildlife sanctuary or wildlife refuge rules (COMAR 08.03.02.03): https://dsd.maryland.gov/regulations/Pages/08.03.02.03.aspx

Endangered species listing (COMAR 08.03.08.04) – listing of species that are protected

• one freshwater turtle listed: Northern map turtle (Graptemys geographica) — Susquehanna River watershed only; https://dsd.maryland.gov/regulations/Pages/08.03.08.04.aspx

Threatened species listing (COMAR 08.03.08.07) 

• one freshwater turtle listed: Bog turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii) https://dsd.maryland.gov/regulations/Pages/08.03.08.07.aspx

Species in Need of Conservation listing (COMAR 08.03.08.09)

• one turtle listed: Eastern spiny softshell (Apalone spinifera); https://dsd.maryland.gov/regulations/Pages/08.03.08.09.aspx

COMAR 08.03.11.00 covers reptile and amphibian possession and permits

• Possession without permits (COMAR 08.03.11.04) https://dsd.maryland.gov/regulations/Pages/08.03.11.04.aspx
• Permits (COMAR 08.03.11.05) https://dsd.maryland.gov/regulations/Pages/08.03.11.05.aspx

List of Native Species of reptiles and amphibians (COMAR 08.03.11.03) https://dsd.maryland.gov/regulations/Pages/08.03.11.03.aspx

Reptile and Amphibian Possession and Permits (COMAR 08.03.11)

• MD captive reptile and amphibian permit: https://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Pages/Licenses/captive.aspx

Wildlife rehabilitation covered in COMAR 08.03.12

Maryland Wildlife Advisory Commission: advises the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources on wildlife matters - https://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/pages/wac.aspx

Reptiles and Amphibians of Maryland

Common Backyard Herps of Maryland