See our Red Ear Turtle Shells on NaturalExotics.com

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These red ear turtle shells are often used to make medicine bags, talking sticks, and other craft projects.  They come in a range of patterns as shown above.

The shells are measured straight down the middle from tip to tip and not along the curve of the shell.

The 5" to 7" shells are about 1/16" thick and have a 1" opening.

Want to display your turtle shell? No problem! You can either drill a hole and hang it with a hook or nail, or attach a hanger to the back. We leave that part to you to keep the shells in their original condition and do not accept returns on any altered turtle shell. Don't worry, it's easy to add a hanger. Just head to your local hardware or arts store and check out the picture frame aisle. Ask a store associate for help, or consider using a plate hanger. It's a quick and simple way to showcase your unique purchase.

Genus and species:  Trachemys s. elegans.  Ranch or Wild.
Hatchling shells are all Ranch.
Gift Shop Quality shells are all Ranch.

These turtles are not endangered. The turtles were not killed just for their shells. They are typically harvested for meat to feed snapping turtles for the food industry.

Live turtles with a carapace length of less than 4" and viable turtle eggs are illegal to sell in the United States as pets because of concerns with salmonella.  We are not offering live turtles on this page.  We only offer processed turtle shells, not turtles.  You can see the FDA legislation here: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm?fr=1240.62

Not for sale in Indiana. 

Not for export to the European Union due to local import restrictions.

A USFWS export permit is required for all exports outside of the U.S.

Product of the USA

Weights

Five 4-5" turtle shells weigh 217.0 g. Each shell averages 43.4 g.

Five 5-6" turtle shells weigh 535 g. Each shell averages 107 g.

Five 6-7" turtle shells weighed 860.0 g. Each shell averages 172.0 g.

Five 7-8" turtle shells weigh 1,046 g. Each shell averages 209 g.

Five 8-9" turtle shells weigh 1,111 g. Each shell averages 222 g.

What is the Origin of the Turtle Shells We Sell

We are frequently asked where the turtle shells come from and how they are obtained.  Our hatchling shells come from turtle farms. The other turtle shells come from either ranch or wild turtles. Most of the smaller shells, from hatchling up to 6” to 7” long, come from turtle farms where the turtles have died from natural causes at the farm.  The farm saves them for the woman who cleans them for us and then we sell them.  Most of the larger turtle shells come from turtles that are typically trapped in the wild with their meat sold as a delicacy.  The turtles were not killed just for their shells. The ranch turtle shells are very clean compared to the wild turtle shells. We will send an assortment of shells unless you specify you want only ranch or wild shells.

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