Alberta has restrictions on certain animals you can own or keep as pets.
There is a master list of all the controlled animals you can check before getting one of these animals as a pet.
Here is the Alberta controlled animals list.
In regards to turtles, we went through the controlled animals list so you don’t have to.
What turtles are legal in Alberta?
It is legal to own any type of turtle that is not on the Alberta Controlled animals list.
Some examples of legal turtles in Alberta are sliders, common box turtles, helmeted turtles and tortoises.
A List of Turtles that make good pets.
It is easier to list which turtles would be considered illegal or controlled. If you don’t see your desired turtle on the list, you can safely consider it legal, and not require permits.
What Turtles are illegal in Alberta?
- Snapping Turtle (Genus Chelydra)
- Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macroclemys Temminki)
- Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea)
- European Pond Turtle (Emys Orbicularis)
- Map Turtles (Genus Graptemys)
- Mud Turtles (Genus Kinosternon)
- Soft-Shelled Turtles (Genus Amyda, Genus Aspideretes, Genus Chitra, Genus Pelochelys, Genus Rafetus)
See our list of other exotic pets that you can own as a pet in Alberta called What Exotic Pets Can You Legally Own in Alberta?
In Summary
- Alberta has strict laws on wildlife you can keep as pets. Many are illegal or controlled through permits.
- There are many types of turtles you can legally own in Alberta, but it is simpler to check the controlled list to see which ones are banned.
- The most commonly owned pet turtles in Alberta are box turtles, tortoises, helmeted turtles and sliders.
