Diamondback terrapins are becoming a hot commodity in the turtle keeping market. Whether it’s due to their rarity or their flamboyant personalities, many people are on the hunt to keep this species as a pet. In today’s article, I will review the best places where you can buy a diamondback terrapin.

Where can I buy a diamondback terrapin?

The best place to buy a diamondback terrapin is from Tortoise Town. They are an online vendor that will ship your turtle directly to you.

Some other places where you can buy a diamondback terrapin are Tortoise World and Turtle Store.

Best place to buy a diamondback terrapin

When it comes to buying a diamondback terrapin, I suggest you start with Tortoise Town. While I haven’t bought a diamondback terrapin from them before, I have used them for other species and they have always provided quality turtles.

At the time of this writing, a diamondback terrapin costs around $390 on their site. You will also have to pay for shipping, which will depend on where you live.

You also have the option of buying a hatchling, baby, or adult. Typically, the older the turtle, the more expensive it will be.

I’ve also noticed that the inventory for adults is typically pretty low, so a lot of times they are out of stock.

Cheapest place to buy a diamondback terrapin

Based on my research, the cheapest place to buy a diamondback terrapin is on Tortoise World. At the time of this writing, they sell baby diamondback terrapins for only $290.

If you live within the continental US, you will need to pay $45 for shipping. In my experience, that is pretty reasonable. If you live in Canada, the shipping cost is $55.

I have never used Tortoise World before, but they have decent online reviews.

Other places to buy diamondback terrapins

Another place you can buy a diamondback terrapin from is Turtle Store. They sell them for around $400. They also charge $45 for shipping inside the U.S.

I have notice that their diamondback terrapins are out of stock, so I’m guessing that they have a low inventory.

How much does a diamondback terrapin cost?

Based on my research, a diamondback terrapin costs any where from $290 to $900. Hatchling and juvenile diamondback terrapins are the cheaper end of the spectrum, while adults typically cost more.

Are Diamondback terrapins illegal to own?

Due to their status as “special concerned” species, many states require you to have a permit to own a diamondback terrapin.

Other states have completely outlawed the possession of diamondback terrapins.

I suggest that you look up the laws in your state to make sure you comply with the required mandates. You can get into serious trouble if you don’t comply with the wildlife laws in your state, so I strongly advise against keeping a diamondback terrapin in a state where it is illegal.

Can you take a diamondback terrapin from the wild?

Based on my research, it is illegal in every state to take a diamondback terrapin from the wild and keep it as a pet. This can be a criminal charge in many states.

In general, I advise against taking any species from the wild. The only exception is when they are severely injured and you are trying to nurse them back to health.

What to do once you get a diamondback terrapin

Once you get your diamondback terrapin, closely examine it to make sure it didn’t get harmed at all during the shipping process.

If there is any damage to your turtle, I recommend that you contact the store where you bought it immediately. They might have a refund policy, or at least can give you tips on how to nurse it back to health.

While diamondback terrapins are awesome pets to have, they do have pretty rigorous habitat needs. I suggest that you check out my guide on how to make the best diamondback terrapin tank setup.

Conclusion

I hope this article gave you some insight into some of the best places to buy a diamondback terrapin. As a reminder, make sure you check the laws in your state to make sure that it is legal to own one. You also might need a special permit.

If it is illegal to own a diamondback terrapin in your state, there still might be places where you can see some. Many wildlife sanctuaries and preserves keep diamondback terrapins, so you might be able to view some there.