© 2000 by Chelonian Research Foundation
United States Import and Export of Live Turtles and Tortoises
Teresa M. TeleckyThe Humane Society of the United States, 2100 L St. NW, Washington DC 20037 USA
Email: [email protected]
More than 18.3 million live reptiles, representing over 600 different taxa, were imported to the United States from 1989 through 1997. This included more than 5.7 million turtles and tortoises representing 142 taxa (Table 1 and 3). Turtles and tortoises are the most popular type of reptile kept as pets in the United States (APPMA 2001). About 9 million reptiles were kept as pets in the United States in 2000, a more than 10% increase since 1998 (ibid). The number of households with pet reptiles rose by 44% during the same period (ibid).
| Scientific Name | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acanthochelys macrocephala (Big head Pantanel turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 150 | 150 |
| Amyda species (Asiatic softshell turtles) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 223 | 31 | 254 |
| Annamemys annamensis (Anam leaf turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 3 | 3 |
| Apalone (Trionyx) ferox (Florida softshell turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 42,101 | 42,101 |
| Callagur borneoensis (Painted terrapin) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 15 | 12 | 27 |
| Caretta caretta (Loggerhead sea turtle) | 15 | -- | 41 | 1 | -- | -- | 20 | 15 | -- | 92 |
| Carettochelys insculpta (Pig-nosed turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1 | -- | 1 |
| Chelodina sp. (Snake & side-necked turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 6 | 24 | 30 |
| C. novaeguineae (New Guinea snake-necked turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 9 | -- | -- | 9 |
| C. reimanni (Reimann�s snake-necked turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 6 | 6 |
| C. siebenrocki (Siebenrock�s side-necked turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 19 | 11 | 35 | 65 |
| Chelonia mydas (Green sea turtle) | 869 | 68 | 45 | 417 | 69 | -- | 1 | -- | 4 | 1,473 |
| Cheloniidae (Hard shelled sea turtles) | 798 | 2,473 | 1,838 | 2,455 | 2,649 | 381 | -- | 1 | 1 | 10,596 |
| Chelus fimbriatus (Matamata) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 10 | 10 | 23 | 43 |
| Chelydra serpentina (American snapping turtle) | -- | -- | 122 | 493 | 1,600 | 235 | -- | -- | 7 | 2,457 |
| Chersina angulata (S. African bowsprit tortoise) | 22 | 72 | 4 | 114 | 121 | 7 | 9 | 14 | 5 | 368 |
| Chinemys reevesii (Chinese 3-keeled pond turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 162 | 31 | 18 | 18 | 229 |
| Chrysemys species (Painted turtles) | 1,209 | 1,673 | 8,515 | 12,659 | 11,906 | 2,389 | 320 | -- | 3,040 | 41,711 |
| Chrysemys picta (Painted turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1 | 1 |
| Cistoclemmys species (Southeast Asian box turtles) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 257 | 10 | 267 |
| Clemmys species (North American turtles) | 389 | 220 | 648 | 590 | 201 | 162 | 68 | 315 | 301 | 2,894 |
| Clemmys guttata (Spotted turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 4 | 4 |
| Clemmys insculpta (Wood turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 3 | -- | -- | -- | 3 |
| Cuora species (Asian box turtles) | 1,441 | 1,119 | 3,763 | 8,509 | 13,334 | 6,448 | 1,855 | 631 | 347 | 37,447 |
| C. amboinensis (Malayan box turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | 164 | 3,739 | 5,597 | 2,591 | 5,768 | 17,859 |
| C. flavomarginata (Yellow marginated turtle) | -- | -- | -- | 143 | 11 | 309 | 1,071 | 356 | 272 | 2,162 |
| C. galbinifrons (Indochinese box turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | 32 | 282 | 471 | 474 | 912 | 2,171 |
| C. mccordi (McCord�s box turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 4 | 4 |
| C. pani (Pan�s box turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 19 | 19 |
| C. trifasciata (Chinese 3-striped box turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 10 | -- | 13 | 23 |
| C. zhoui (Zhou�s box turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 2 | 2 |
| Cyclemys species (Leaf turtles) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 50 | 76 | 456 | 582 |
| Cyclemys dentata (Asian leaf turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 101 | 380 | 1,067 | 1,548 |
| Deirochelys reticularia (Chicken turtle) | -- | -- | 3 | 12 | 7 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 22 |
| Dermatemys mawii (Central Amer. river turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | 3 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 3 |
| Dermochelys coriacea (Leatherback sea turtle) | 118 | 138 | 10 | -- | 6 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 272 |
| Elseya species (Australia/New Guinea snapping turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 11 | 37 | 48 |
| Emydoidea blandingii (Blanding's turtle) | 2 | 17 | -- | 12 | 2 | -- | -- | -- | 1 | 34 |
| Emydura species (Short-necked side-necked turtles) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 14 | 14 |
| E. albertisii (Red-bellied short-necked turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1 | 35 | 96 | 132 |
| Emys orbicularis (European pond turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 257 | 257 |
| Eretmochelys imbricata (Hawksbill sea turtle) | -- | 20 | 56 | 93 | 6 | -- | -- | 3 | -- | 178 |
| Geochelone species (Land tortoises) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 70 | -- | 29 | 99 |
| G. carbonaria (S. American red-footed tortoise) | 315 | 298 | 1,462 | 604 | 302 | 243 | 150 | 730 | 979 | 5,083 |
| G. chilensis (Chaco tortoise) | 705 | 6 | 5 | -- | 1 | 8 | -- | 1 | 3 | 729 |
| G. denticulata (S. American yellow-footed tortoise) | 363 | 375 | 424 | 588 | 351 | 266 | 143 | 96 | 377 | 2,983 |
| G. elegans (Indian star tortoise) | 4 | -- | 38 | 187 | 525 | 9 | -- | 4 | 164 | 931 |
| G. elephantopus (Galapagos tortoise) | -- | 1 | -- | 1 | -- | 1 | -- | -- | -- | 3 |
| G. gigantea (Aldabra tortoise) | -- | 10 | 18 | 10 | 1 | 10 | -- | 13 | -- | 62 |
| G. nigrita (Indefatigable tortoise) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 36 | 36 |
| G. pardalis (Leopard tortoise) | 877 | 1,329 | 4,336 | 1,029 | 314 | 682 | 246 | 424 | 2,536 | 11,773 |
| G. radiata (Radiated tortoise) | -- | -- | -- | 3 | -- | -- | -- | 1 | -- | 4 |
| G. sulcata (African spurred tortoise) | 37 | 143 | 232 | 12 | 295 | 521 | 1,007 | 235 | 500 | 2,982 |
| G. yniphora (Northern Madagascar spur tortoise) | -- | -- | 1 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1 |
| Geoemyda species (Asian leaf turtles) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 183 | 61 | 244 |
| Geoemyda spengleri (Black breasted leaf turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 120 | 392 | 463 | 355 | 1,330 |
| Gopherus agassizii (Desert tortoise) | -- | -- | 2 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 6 | 12 | 20 |
| Gopherus polyphemus (Gopher tortoise) | -- | -- | -- | 1 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1 |
| Graptemys species (Map turtles) | 1,552 | 2,429 | 4,590 | 5,170 | 4,685 | 440 | 1 | -- | 10,290 | 29,157 |
| G. kohnii (Mississippi map turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 483 | 483 |
| G. oculifera (Ringed map turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1 | -- | -- | -- | 1 |
| G. pseudogeographica (False map turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 100 | 100 |
| G. versa (Texas map turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 30 | 30 |
| Heosemys species (Asian forest and pond turtles) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 26 | 57 | 315 | 398 |
| H. spinosa (Spiny turtle) | -- | -- | -- | 25 | 2 | 77 | 127 | 90 | 52 | 373 |
| Hieremys species (Temple turtles) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 4 | 6 | 17 | 27 |
| Homopus areolatus (Beaked cape tortoise) | -- | 20 | 6 | 34 | 51 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 124 |
| Homopus femoralis (Karroo cape tortoise) | -- | -- | -- | 2 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 5 | 7 |
| Homopus signatus (Speckled cape tortoise) | -- | -- | -- | -- | 18 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 18 |
| Hydromedusa species (S. American snake-necked turtles) | 56 | 197 | 74 | -- | 150 | -- | 32 | -- | -- | 509 |
| Indotestudo elongata (Elongated tortoise) | 47 | 191 | 25 | 252 | 42 | 50 | 55 | 18 | 14 | 694 |
| Indotestudo forsteni (Travancore tortoise) | 80 | 62 | -- | 21 | 60 | 114 | -- | 7 | 32 | 376 |
| Kachuga tecta (Indian roofed turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 2 | 2 |
| Kinixys species (Hinge-back tortoises) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 9 | -- | -- | 2 | 11 |
| K. belliana (Bell's hinge-backed tortoise) | 9,814 | 1,234 | 917 | 2,028 | 1,938 | 2,540 | 1,545 | 865 | 3,255 | 24,136 |
| K. erosa (Serrated hinge-back tortoise) | 167 | 577 | 190 | 617 | 86 | 119 | 35 | 109 | 4 | 1,904 |
| K. homeana (Home's hinge-backed tortoise) | 989 | 1,830 | 1,356 | 1,498 | 2,060 | 2,376 | 1,026 | 346 | 1,728 | 13,209 |
| K. natalensis (Natal hinge-backed tortoise) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 50 | -- | -- | 10 | 60 |
| Kinosternon species (Mud turtles) | 844 | 118 | 440 | 668 | 1,013 | 416 | 178 | 40 | 288 | 4,005 |
| Kinosternon angustipons (Narrow-bridged mud turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 127 | 127 |
| Lepidochelys kempii (Kemp's ridley sea turtle) | 19 | -- | -- | -- | 13 | -- | 180 | -- | 180 | 392 |
| Lepidochelys olivacea (Olive ridley sea turtle) | 25 | 223 | -- | -- | 40 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 288 |
| Lissemys punctata (Indian flapshell turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 2 | -- | 50 | -- | 52 |
| Macroclemys temminckii (Alligator snapping turtle) | 13 | 607 | 1,683 | 299 | 1,191 | 201 | -- | -- | 150 | 4,144 |
| Malaclemys species (Diamondback terrapins) | -- | -- | 126 | -- | 283 | 63 | -- | -- | 71 | 543 |
| Malacochersus tornieri (Pancake tortoise) | 385 | 369 | 5,168 | 605 | -- | -- | 100 | -- | 21 | 6,648 |
| Malayemys subtrijuga (Malayan freshwater snail-eating ) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 4 | 24 | 97 | 125 |
| Manouria emys (Asian brown tortoise) | 41 | 39 | 221 | 17 | 68 | 68 | 776 | 41 | 92 | 1,363 |
| Manouria impressa (Impressed tortoise) | 19 | -- | -- | -- | 50 | 10 | 152 | 48 | 191 | 470 |
| Mauremys species (Turtles) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 3 | 11 | 173 | 187 |
| Melanochelys tricarinata (Tricarinate hill turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1 | 18 | 19 |
| Morenia petersi (Indian eyed turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 265 | 265 |
| Notochelys platynota (Malayan flat-shelled turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 9 | 23 | 32 |
| Pelomedusa subrufa (African helmeted turtle) | 714 | 560 | 382 | 1,370 | 1,248 | 680 | 454 | 785 | 1,900 | 8,093 |
| Pelusios species (African mud turtles) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 332 | 77 | 265 | 54 | 728 |
| P. adansonii (Adanson's mud turtle) | -- | 200 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 2 | -- | 202 |
| P. castaneus (W. African mud turtle) | -- | -- | 115 | 2 | -- | -- | -- | 10 | -- | 127 |
| P. gabonensis (African forest turtle) | -- | -- | 1 | 14 | 20 | 20 | 100 | 112 | 340 | 607 |
| P. niger (W. African black forest turtle) | 563 | 837 | 613 | 731 | 284 | 283 | 156 | 144 | 225 | 3,836 |
| Phrynops species (S. American freshwater turtles) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 13 | 15 | 98 | 126 |
| Platemys species (S. American freshwater turtles) | 50 | 34 | 203 | 139 | 198 | 69 | 32 | -- | 25 | 750 |
| Platysternon megacephalum (Big-headed turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 80 | 424 | 705 | 66 | 1,275 |
| Podocnemis erythrocephala (Red-headed amazon river) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 10 | 10 |
| Podocnemis expansa (Giant S. American river turtle) | 6 | -- | 13 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 43 | 62 |
| Podocnemis lewyana (Magdalena river turtle) | -- | 1 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1 |
| Podocnemis sextuberculata (6-tubercled amazon river turtle) | -- | -- | 6 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 6 |
| Podocnemis unifilis (Yellow-spotted amazon river turtle) | -- | 2 | 2 | -- | 1 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 5 |
| Psammobates species (S. African tortoises) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 15 | -- | -- | -- | 15 |
| P. geometricus (Geometric tortoise) | -- | 1 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1 |
| P. oculifera (African serrated star tortoise) | -- | 1 | -- | 4 | 2 | 5 | -- | -- | -- | 12 |
| P. tentorius (African tent tortoise) | -- | -- | 3 | 1 | 3 | 11 | -- | -- | -- | 18 |
| Pseudemys species (Basking turtles) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 30 | 30 |
| P. concinna (River cooter) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 2 | 765 | 767 |
| P. nelsoni (Florida red-bellied turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 100 | 100 |
| Pyxidea mouhotii (Keeled box turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | 32 | 78 | 350 | 135 | 532 | 1,127 |
| Pyxis species (Malagasy spider tortoises) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 14 | 14 |
| P. arachnoides (Malagasy spider tortoises) | -- | -- | 1 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 2 | -- | 3 |
| P. planicauda (Madagascar flat-shelled) | -- | -- | -- | -- | 8 | -- | 5 | -- | -- | 13 |
| Rhinoclemmys species (Amer. turtles) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 35 | 87 | 1,024 | 1,146 |
| Sacalia species (Asiatic turtles) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 168 | 168 |
| Siebenrockiella crassicollis (Black marsh) | 121 | 35 | 40 | 35 | 251 | 270 | 265 | 211 | 558 | 1,786 |
| Staurotypus salvinii (Chiapas giant musk) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Staurotypus triporcatus (Mexican giant musk) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 2 | 100 | 102 |
| Sternotherus species (Musk turtles) | 125 | 99 | 684 | 426 | 2,360 | 197 | -- | 1 | -- | 3,892 |
| S. depressus (Flattened musk turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | 100 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 100 |
| Terrapene carolina (Common box turtle) | 104 | 436 | 2,673 | 4,976 | 5,580 | 165 | 1 | -- | 1 | 13,936 |
| Terrapene coahuila (Coahuilan box turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | 25 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 25 |
| Terrapene ornata (Ornate box turtle) | -- | -- | 50 | 933 | 2,062 | 396 | -- | -- | 2 | 3,443 |
| Testudines (All turtles & tortoises) | 22 | 624 | 1,041 | 518 | 736 | -- | 1 | -- | 12 | 2,954 |
| Testudinidae (Land tortoises) | 6 | -- | -- | -- | 522 | 1,103 | -- | -- | 1 | 1,632 |
| Testudo species (Land tortoises) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 419 | 132 | 22 | 30 | 603 |
| T. graeca (Spur-thighed tortoise) | 856 | 1,510 | 765 | 1,553 | 3,647 | 3,309 | 2,754 | 363 | 3 | 14,760 |
| T. hermanni (Hermann's tortoise) | 750 | 14 | 34 | 184 | 299 | 56 | 4,004 | 9 | 4 | 5,354 |
| T. horsfieldi (Central Asian tortoise) | 16 | 10,016 | -- | 2,983 | 5,435 | 11,301 | 5,204 | 310 | 7,868 | 43,133 |
| T. kleinmanni (Egyptian tortoise) | 27 | 11 | 165 | 300 | 20 | 1,898 | 754 | -- | -- | 3,175 |
| T. marginata (Marginated tortoise) | 34 | 10 | 21 | 21 | -- | 9 | -- | -- | -- | 95 |
| Trachemys species (Slider turtles) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 6 | 35 | -- | 41 |
| T. scripta elegans (Red-eared slider) | 733,213 | 943,515 | 877,221 | 1,005,301 | 1,401,583 | 125,268 | 47 | 55 | 165,970 | 5,252,173 |
| T. scripta callirostris (S. Amer. red-lined) | -- | -- | -- | 35,000 | 978 | 1 | -- | -- | -- | 35,979 |
| Trionyx species (Softshell turtles) | 335 | 1,924 | 7,716 | 231 | 3,429 | 284 | 10,438 | 3 | 14 | 24,374 |
| T. sinensis (Chinese softshell turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 10 | 10 |
| T. triunguis (African softshell turtle) | 1 | 10 | 3 | 6 | -- | -- | 10 | 6 | -- | 36 |
In 1997 alone, more than 1.7 million reptiles were imported. This included over 258,000 turtles and tortoises. In 1997 lizards were the most commonly imported reptiles (70.0%), followed by snakes (12.8%), turtles (15.0%), and crocodilians (1.1%). Some of the most frequently imported reptiles were the common green iguana (Iguana iguana) from Colombia and El Salvador, geckos (Hemidactylus spp.) from Thailand and Vietnam, the ball python (Python regius) from Benin and Togo, the water dragon (Physignathus concincinus) from Vietnam, the boa constrictor (Boa constrictor) from Colombia and Nicaragua, oriental racer lizards (Takydromus spp.) from China and Indonesia, and spiny lizards (Sceloporus spp.) from Nicaragua and Guatemala.
Some of the most frequently imported turtle and tortoises in 1997 included the indigenous red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans), map turtles (Graptemys spp.) and painted turtles (Chrysemys spp.). These animals were contained in shipments returned to the United States after being exported and rejected by an importing country. The most commonly imported non-indigenous species of turtles and tortoises imported included the central Asian tortoise (Testudo horsfieldi), Malayan box turtle (Cuora amboinensis), Bells� hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys belliana), leopard tortoise (Geochelone pardalis), African helmeted turtle (Pelomedusa subrufa), and Home�s hinge-backed tortoise (Kinixys homeana).
In 1997 most live reptiles were imported through the ports of Miami, Florida, or Los Angeles, California, which were also home to the largest reptile importers, including L.A. Reptiles, Strictly Reptiles, and California Zoological Supply. According to the importers, the value of the live reptiles they imported in 1997 was more than $6.5 million, but this is a fraction of the retail value of the reptiles they imported. Based on information from the APPMA survey (2001), the HSUS estimates that the retail value of the trade in live reptiles and amphibians and related products in the U.S. is worth about $2 million annually.
More than 57.8 million reptiles, representing over 570 taxa, were exported from the United States between 1989 through 1997. This included over 53.7 million turtles and tortoises representing 115 taxa (Table 2 and 3).
| Name | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annamemys annamensis (Anam leaf turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 6 | 6 |
| Apalone species (Softshell turtles) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 7,368 | 4,543 | 5,487 | 17,398 |
| A. (Trionyx) ferox (Florida softshell turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1,900 | 1,877 | 7,781 | 11,558 |
| A. mutica (Smooth softshell turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 5,187 | 200 | 5,387 |
| A. spinifera (Spiny softshell turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 702 | 2,874 | 1,485 | 5,061 |
| Carettochelys insculpta (Pig-nosed turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 2 | 2 |
| Chelodina species (Snake & side-necked turtles) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 60 | 10 | 70 |
| C. longicollis (Common snake-necked turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1 | -- | -- | 1 |
| C. novaeguineae (New Guinea snake-necked) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 2 | -- | -- | 2 |
| C. siebenrocki (Siebenrock�s side-necked turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1 | 13 | 4 | 18 |
| C. steindachneri (Steindachner�s side-necked) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 41 | -- | -- | 41 |
| Chelonia mydas (Green sea turtle) | 10 | -- | -- | 5 | 4 | 6 | -- | 1 | 12 | 38 |
| Cheloniidae (Hard shelled sea turtles) | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1,500 | 52 | -- | -- | -- | 1,552 |
| Chelus fimbriatus (Matamata) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 16 | 12 | 123 | 126 | 277 |
| Chelydra serpentina (American snapping turtle) | -- | 23 | 660 | 5,149 | 9,254 | 18,422 | 31,563 | 18,668 | 17,730 | 101,469 |
| Chersina angulata (S. African bowsprit tortoise) | -- | 10 | 5 | 13 | 7 | 20 | -- | -- | 8 | 63 |
| Chinemys reevesii (Chinese 3-keeled pond turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 39 | 10 | 11 | -- | 60 |
| Chrysemys species (Painted turtles) | 480 | 7,381 | 16,376 | 61,986 | 78,787 | 73,076 | 154,934 | 60,094 | 6,136 | 459,250 |
| Chrysemys picta (Painted turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 3,750 | 26,434 | 24,546 | 54,730 |
| Cistoclemmys species (Southeast Asian box turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 5 | 49 | 16 | 70 |
| Clemmys species (North American turtles) | 57 | 107 | 456 | 1,019 | 771 | 362 | 5,022 | 6,014 | 10 | 13,818 |
| C. guttata (Spotted turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | 3 | 284 | 259 | 131 | 553 | 1,230 |
| C. insculpta (Wood turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 7 | 1 | -- | 18 | 26 |
| C. marmorata (Pacific Pond turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 3 | 420 | 18 | -- | 441 |
| Cuora species (Asian box turtles) | -- | 8 | 283 | 820 | 577 | 400 | 102 | 33 | -- | 2,223 |
| C. amboinensis (Malayan box turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | 42 | 233 | 426 | 85 | 60 | 846 |
| C. flavomarginata (Yellow marginated turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | 156 | 47 | 22 | 102 | -- | 327 |
| C. galbinifrons (Indochinese box turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | 10 | 36 | 26 | 21 | 18 | 111 |
| Cyclemys species (Leaf turtles) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 4 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
| C. dentata (Asian leaf turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 34 | 45 | 28 | 107 |
| Deirochelys reticularia (Chicken turtle) | -- | 1 | 19 | 58 | 307 | 22 | 95 | 28 | 51 | 581 |
| Elseya species (Australia/New Guinea snapping turtles) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 5 | 5 |
| Emydoidea blandingii (Blanding's turtle) | 4 | 41 | 4 | 9 | 92 | 19 | 27 | 40 | 93 | 329 |
| Emydura species (Short-necked side-necked turtles) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 10 | 106 | 116 |
| E. albertisii (Red-bellied short-necked turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 2 | -- | 2 |
| E. macquarrii (Murray river turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 20 | 6 | -- | 26 |
| Emys orbicularis (European pond turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 5 | 20 | 25 |
| Geochelone species (Land tortoises) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 2 | 120 | 14 | 20 | 156 |
| G. carbonaria (S. American red-footed tortoise) | 12 | 18 | 268 | 48 | 49 | 119 | 300 | 760 | 323 | 1,897 |
| G. chilensis (Chaco tortoise) | 30 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 32 | -- | -- | 62 |
| G. denticulata (S. American yellow-footed) | 10 | 28 | 46 | 57 | 34 | 104 | 268 | 129 | 69 | 745 |
| G. elegans (Indian star tortoise) | -- | 1 | 1 | 3 | -- | -- | 6 | -- | 2 | 13 |
| G. elephantopus (Galapagos tortoise) | 1 | -- | -- | 2 | -- | 2 | -- | -- | -- | 5 |
| G. gigantea (Aldabra tortoise) | 2 | -- | 1 | -- | -- | 2 | 27 | 27 | 11 | 70 |
| G. nigrita (Indefatigable tortoise) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 2 | -- | 2 | 4 |
| G. pardalis (Leopard tortoise) | 4 | 356 | 273 | 310 | 73 | 671 | 547 | 1,110 | 1,246 | 4,590 |
| G. sulcata (African spurred tortoise) | 6 | 12 | 61 | 120 | 807 | 1,016 | 2,071 | 3,506 | 3,746 | 11,345 |
| Geoemyda species (Asian leaf turtles) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 20 | -- | -- | 20 |
| G. spengleri (Black breasted leaf turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 6 | 48 | 81 | 5 | 140 |
| Gopherus berlandieri (Texas tortoise) | 8 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 8 |
| Gopherus polyphemus (Gopher tortoise) | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1 |
| Graptemys species (Map turtles) | 673 | 4,573 | 8,695 | 20,378 | 37,233 | 56,749 | 46,429 | 61,023 | 53,105 | 288,858 |
| G. barbouri (Barbour's map turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 142 | 747 | 889 |
| G. caglei (Cagle�s map turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 31 | 31 |
| G. flavimaculata (Yellow-blotched map turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 50 | -- | 50 |
| G. geographica (common map turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 16,447 | 16,447 |
| G. kohnii (Mississippi map turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 14,192 | 19,687 | 27,153 | 61,032 |
| G. nigrinoda (Black-nobbed map turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 318 | 824 | 3,463 | 4,605 |
| G. ouachitensis (Ouachita map turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 88 | 88 |
| G. pseudogeographica (False map turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 2,729 | 2,729 |
| G. versa (Texas map turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 98 | 98 |
| Heosemys species (Asian forest & pond turtles) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 10 | 19 | 29 |
| H. spinosa (Spiny turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | 2 | 2 | 44 | 2 | 5 | 55 |
| Hieremys species (Temple turtles) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 12 | -- | -- | 12 |
| Homopus femoralis (Karroo cape tortoise) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1 | -- | -- | -- | 1 |
| Hydromedusa species (S. Amer. snake-necked turtle) | 4 | -- | 9 | 11 | 56 | -- | 15 | -- | 3 | 98 |
| Indotestudo elongata (Elongated tortoise) | 6 | -- | -- | 1 | -- | -- | 6 | -- | -- | 13 |
| Indotestudo forsteni (Travancore tortoise) | -- | -- | -- | -- | 4 | 5 | -- | 15 | 3 | 27 |
| Kinixys species (Hinge-back tortoises) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 2 | -- | 8 | -- | 10 |
| K. belliana (Bell's hinge-backed tortoise) | 6 | 13 | 73 | 84 | 36 | 151 | 44 | 21 | 158 | 586 |
| K. erosa (Serrated hinge-back tortoise) | 3 | 11 | -- | 4 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 18 |
| K. homeana (Home's hinge-backed tortoise) | -- | 10 | 4 | 35 | 80 | 111 | 55 | 15 | 37 | 347 |
| Kinosternon species (Mud turtles) | 258 | 397 | 3,132 | 2,014 | 1,372 | 2,663 | 3,270 | 1,647 | 2,294 | 17,047 |
| K. angustipons (Narrow-bridged mud turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 3 | 3 |
| K. oaxacae (Oaxaca mud turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 5 | 5 |
| Lissemys punctata (Indian flapshell turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 20 | -- | 20 |
| Macroclemys temminckii (Alligator snapping turtle) | 290 | 382 | 1,761 | 2,039 | 2,101 | 4,477 | 2,138 | 11,331 | 11,763 | 36,282 |
| Malaclemys species (Diamondback terrapins) | -- | 5 | 41 | 102 | 508 | 1,089 | 1,420 | 392 | 445 | 4,002 |
| Malacochersus tornieri (Pancake tortoise) | 6 | -- | 242 | 145 | 297 | -- | 6 | 5 | 4 | 705 |
| Manouria emys (Asian brown tortoise) | 1 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 3 | 1 | 29 | 34 |
| Manouria impressa (Impressed tortoise) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 43 | 43 |
| Mauremys species (Turtles) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 4 | 13 | 17 | 34 |
| Pelomedusa subrufa (African helmeted) | 36 | 20 | -- | 252 | 50 | 3 | 51 | -- | 20 | 432 |
| Pelusios species (African mud turtles) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 10 | -- | -- | -- | 10 |
| P. niger (W. African black forest turtle) | -- | 20 | -- | -- | 12 | 8 | -- | 20 | -- | 60 |
| Phrynops species (S. American freshwater) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 42 | 73 | 40 | 155 |
| Phrynops hogei (Hoge�s side-necked turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1 | -- | -- | 1 |
| Platemys species (S. Amer. Freshwater turtle) | -- | -- | 16 | 6 | 56 | 97 | 38 | 19 | 28 | 260 |
| Platysternon megacephalum (Big-headed turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 78 | 43 | -- | 121 |
| Podocnemis unifilis (Yellow-spotted Amaz. river) | -- | 6 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 6 |
| Pseudemys species (Basking turtles) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 2,409 | 14,368 | 33,899 | 50,676 |
| P. alabamensis (Alabama red-bellied turtle) | -- | -- | 5 | -- | 20 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 25 |
| P. concinna (River cooter) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 6,110 | 19,289 | 25,023 | 50,422 |
| P. floridana (Common cooter) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 3,192 | 6,741 | 2,929 | 12,862 |
| P. nelsoni (Florida red-bellied turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 16,648 | 17,111 | 12,215 | 45,974 |
| P. rubriventris bangsi (Amer. red-bellied) | -- | -- | -- | 263 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 263 |
| Pyxidea mouhotii (Keeled box turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 11 | 25 | 12 | 17 | 65 |
| Pyxis species (Malagasy spider tortoises) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 20 | 20 |
| Rhinoclemmys species (American turtles) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 112 | 105 | 800 | 1,017 |
| Siebenrockiella crassicollis (Black marsh) | -- | -- | -- | 5 | 49 | 2 | -- | 12 | 16 | 84 |
| Staurotypus salvinii (Chiapas giant musk) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 2 | 10 | 12 |
| Staurotypus triporcatus (Mexican giant musk) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 3 | 28 | 25 | 56 |
| Sternotherus species (Musk turtles) | 211 | 1,861 | 2,720 | 7,361 | 7,923 | 8,826 | 6,545 | 5,759 | 7,643 | 48,849 |
| S. depressus (Flattened musk turtle) | -- | -- | 146 | 20 | 25 | -- | -- | -- | 24 | 215 |
| S. odoratus (Common musk turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 163 | 1,705 | 4,370 | 6,238 |
| Terrapene species (Box turtles) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 500 | -- | -- | 500 |
| T. carolina (Common box turtle) | 588 | 2,621 | 6,594 | 21,717 | 18,919 | 22,209 | 6,173 | 301 | -- | 79,122 |
| T. carolina carolina (Eastern box turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1 | 1 |
| T. carolina major (Gulf coast box turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 200 | -- | -- | 200 |
| T. ornata (Ornate box turtle) | -- | -- | 238 | 5,920 | 8,138 | 12,240 | 60 | -- | 2 | 26,598 |
| Testudines (All turtles & tortoises) | 9,000 | -- | 578 | -- | 1,057 | 6 | -- | -- | -- | 10,641 |
| Testudinidae (Land tortoises) | -- | -- | -- | -- | 799 | 9 | 137 | -- | -- | 945 |
| Testudo species (Land tortoises) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 7 | -- | -- | 48 | 55 |
| T. graeca (Spur-thighed tortoise) | 24 | 61 | -- | 298 | 158 | 191 | 255 | 383 | 11 | 1,381 |
| T. graeca graeca (Spur-thighed tortoise) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 10 | 10 |
| T. hermanni (Hermann's tortoise) | -- | -- | -- | 3 | 27 | -- | -- | 16 | 40 | 86 |
| T. horsfieldi (Central Asian tortoise) | -- | 195 | 30 | 122 | 152 | 36 | 70 | 301 | 418 | 1,324 |
| T. kleinmanni (Egyptian tortoise) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 172 | 2 | -- | 2 | 176 |
| T. marginata (Marginated tortoise) | 12 | -- | -- | -- | 1 | -- | -- | 2 | -- | 15 |
| Trachemys species (Slider turtles) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 3,893 | 3,030 | 1,379 | 8,302 |
| T. scripta callirostris (S. Amer. red-lined) | -- | -- | -- | 5,000 | 5,803 | 1,264 | 27,300 | 17 | 21 | 39,405 |
| T. scripta elegans (Red-eared slider) | 3,472,886 | 3,423,776 | 6,318,367 | 3,308,678 | 5,516,973 | 8,298,236 | 4,658,413 | 8,416,672 | 8,708,388 | 52,122,389 |
| T. stejnegeri (Central antelean slider) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 15 | -- | 15 |
| Trionyx species (Softshell turtles) | 508 | 8,680 | 2,508 | 5,517 | 13,524 | 34,467 | 29,996 | 12,120 | 4,439 | 111,759 |
| T. sinensis (Chinese softshell turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 35 | 35 |
| T. spiniferus (E. spiny softshell turtle) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 202 | 202 |
| T. triunguis (African softshell turtle) | -- | -- | -- | 6 | -- | 1 | 3 | -- | -- | 10 |
| IMPORTS | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turtles and Tortoises | 758,158 | 975,698 | 928,111 | 1,093,897 | 1,472,473 | 168,766 | 41,158 | 12,605 | 258,106 | 5,708,972 |
| Lizards and Snakes | 321,799 | 576,483 | 486,397 | 974,394 | 1,336,862 | 1,109,829 | 697,676 | 652,957 | 1,421,421 | 7,577,766 |
| Crocodilians | 2,645 | 2,064 | 371 | 4,138 | 12,082 | 6,766 | 3,163 | 11,150 | 17,153 | 59,532 |
| Non-CITES Reptiles | 1,009,622 | 1,588,982 | 779,891 | 781,613 | 467,032 | 217,506 | 122,453 | 39,453 | 19,571 | 5,026,123 |
| Unknown Reptiles | 1,879 | 649 | 2,215 | 9,333 | 104 | 536 | 297 | -- | 73 | 15,096 |
| Grand Total | 2,094,103 | 3,143,876 | 2,196,985 | 2,863,375 | 3,288,553 | 1,503,403 | 864,747 | 716,165 | 1,716,324 | 18,387,489 |
| EXPORTS | ||||||||||
| Turtles and Tortoises | 3,485,136 | 3,450,617 | 6,363,612 | 3,449,580 | 5,707,849 | 8,538,011 | 5,040,563 | 8,725,453 | 8,990,699 | 53,751,521 |
| Lizards and Snakes | 22,805 | 43,235 | 81,098 | 110,662 | 156,611 | 278,516 | 368,198 | 296,918 | 266,355 | 1,624,396 |
| Crocodilians | 724 | 1,340 | 49 | 3,981 | 7,745 | 1,913 | 5,346 | 31,621 | 20,209 | 72,928 |
| Non-CITES Reptiles | 734,361 | 434,547 | 364,065 | 390,624 | 99,348 | 110,150 | 161,623 | 104,023 | 27,921 | 2,426,662 |
| Unknown Reptiles | 3,480 | 655 | 836 | 781 | 3,277 | 557 | -- | -- | 4 | 9,590 |
| Grand Total | 4,246,506 | 3,930,394 | 6,809,660 | 3,955,628 | 5,974,830 | 8,929,147 | 5,575,730 | 9,158,015 | 9,305,188 | 57,885,097 |
In 1997 alone, more than 9.3 million reptiles were exported. This included over 8.9 million turtles and tortoises. In 1997 turtles were the most commonly exported reptile (96.6 %), followed by lizards (2.4 %), snakes (0.5 %), and crocodilians (0.2 %). Some of the most commonly exported reptiles were the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) (which made up the vast majority of exported reptiles), common green iguana (Iguana iguana), and Carolina anole (Anolis carolinensis). The most commonly exported turtles included map turtles (Graptemys spp.), basking turtles (Pseudemys spp.), river cooter (Pseudemys concinna), Mississippi map turtle (Graptemys kohnii), painted turtle (Chrysemys picta), snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina), Florida red-bellied turtle (Pseudemys nelsoni), and alligator snapping turtle (Macroclemys temminckii).
According to the exporters, the value of the live reptiles they exported was more than $12.5 million in 1997. In 1997 most live reptiles were exported through the port of New Orleans, Louisiana, which is home to many exporters of red-eared sliders. Most exported reptiles were destined for Asia (China, Hong Kong, and South Korea) .
Reptiles as Pets: An Examination of the Trade in Live Reptiles in the United States will be available from The HSUS this summer.
Literature Cited
American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, Inc. 2001. APPMA National Pet Owners Survey. APPMA, Greenwich, Connecticut.
Data Source: HSUS analysis of Law Enforcement Management Information System (LEMIS) data obtained from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It should be noted that previous studies have demonstrated that LEMIS data contain keystroke errors and LEMIS significantly under-reports actual import and export quantities.