Ryker N. Redbelly (Water Turtle), a Adoptable Turtle in Baltimore, MD image 1/5

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Ryker N. Redbelly (Water Turtle)

Adult
Male
Large

turtle
Turtle

About Ryker N. Redbelly (Water Turtle)

Baltimore, MD

Species & Breed

turtle

Turtle

Physical Traits

Adult

Male

Large

Behavior

Ryker N. Redbelly (Water Turtle)’s Compatibility

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Ryker N. Redbelly (Water Turtle)'s Story

I'm an adult male northern redbelly cooter for adoption in the Baltimore area. I'm about 7" long and 15years old, which means I could live another 10-20 years. If I'm indoors, I need at least a 75-gallon aquarium or 100-gallon Rubbermaid stock tank, a DIY basking platform, heat light, UVB light, and a really good external canister filter or DIY water filter. I eat commercial turtle pellets and greens. I can also live in a FENCED-IN backyard pond in NJ or MD starting in late May and then live there all year, so long as the pond is dug below the frost line (usually at least 300 gallons). I CANNOT be adopted to PA or VA due to state regulations. Shipping is possible if the adopter pays for shipping (which could be $55 - $130 depending on location). IF INTERESTED IN adopting, email matts_adoptions@hotmail.com with your CITY AND STATE and my name to request an application. Contrary to the urban myth, you CAN keep turtles in NJ. The MATTS adoption contract proves that you didn't take him from the wild and allows you to get a NJ permit after you adopter him. NJ requires you to obtain a permit after getting a turtle. It's fairly easy to get. Visit https://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/exotic_apps.htm to apply for a permit. You can have one northern redbelly cooter in Maryland without a permit. If you have more than one, you need proof you didn't take me from the wild (our adoption contract), and a permit from MD DNR. (So if you have three NRBCs, you need proof you didn't take two of them from the wild, and get a DNR permit). https://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Pages/Licenses/captive.aspx If you need to learn a little more about redbelly cooter turtles, here's a great book on aquatics, and it can be DOWNLOADED FOR FREE AT https://www.lulu.com/shop/richard-lunsford/captive-care-of-north-american-water-turtles/ebook/product-17551523.html Here's a very good e-book for those starting with aquatic turtles: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/red-eared-sliders-katrina-smith/1102168496?ean=9780793849246 Like turtles but can't have one? Want to help? 1) You can share my profile on social media and share www.matts-turtles.org so people can take better care of their turtles and help wild turtles stay wild. 2) MATTS has educational fliers (photos) to share on social media if you email matts_adoptions@hotmail.com to request them or visit https://www.facebook.com/MATTSTurtles/ or https://www.instagram.com/mattsturtlesandtortoises/ 3) Share our "Monster You Made" video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_935eZl84k on social media. 4) Donate to your local wildlife rehabilitators. They rely on donations only. They do NOT received any state or federal grants. 5) MATTS also accepts tax-deductible donations at MATTS, P.O. Box 341, Highland, MD 20777, or through PayPal or credit card using the yellow Donate tab at http://www.matts-turtles.org/support.html - we also do not receive any local, state, or federal grants and have no paid staff. Rescue is funded by donations only, and we find homes for about 80 animals a year. Thank you!

I'm an adult male northern redbelly cooter for adoption in the Baltimore area. I'm about 7" long and 15years old, which means I could live another 10-20 years.
If I'm indoors, I need at least a 75-gallon aquarium or 100-gallon Rubbermaid stock tank, a DIY basking platform, heat light, UVB light, and a really good external canister filter or DIY water filter. I eat commercial turtle pellets and greens.

I can also live in a FENCED-IN backyard pond in NJ or MD starting in late May and then live there all year, so long as the pond is dug below the frost line (usually at least 300 gallons).

I CANNOT be adopted to PA or VA due to state regulations. Shipping is possible if the adopter pays for shipping (which could be $55 - $130 depending on location).

IF INTERESTED IN adopting, email matts_adoptions@hotmail.com with your CITY AND STATE and my name to request an application.

Contrary to the urban myth, you CAN keep turtles in NJ. The MATTS adoption contract proves that you didn't take him

How To Adopt

Ryker N. Red... was listed as Adoptable by Mid-Atlantic Turtle and Tortoise Society

How can I adopt Ryker N. Red...?

Click the Start Your Inquiry button, and share some preliminary details with Mid-Atlantic Turtle and Tortoise Society. They may then ask for more details or an official application prior to an adoption. If you're a match, they'll reach out with next steps and timing.

When can I meet Ryker N. Red...?

If you've submitted an inquiry, Mid-Atlantic Turtle and Tortoise Society will review your information and may ask you to fill out an official application. If you're a good fit for Ryker N. Red..., they'll reach out to set up a meeting.

What if I have more questions about the adoption process?

Just reach out directly to Mid-Atlantic Turtle and Tortoise Society, and they'll be happy to help!

Mid-Atlantic Turtle and Tortoise Society's Adoption Policy

Please DO NOT CALL until after you've emailed to request an application. INCLUDE YOUR CITY and STATE when contacting MATTS. Not all turtles are legal in all states, and we need to know your location to know if you will be legally able to adopt a specific turtle. Please e-mail matts_adoptions@hotmail.com to request an application. We'll email you the application with recommended reading. Once the application is returned to MATTS, we'll go over it and might make some recommendations or ask more questions. If everything looks good, we'll ask you to complete an enclosure for the turtle or tortoise and send pictures of it. If everything looks good, we'll schedule a date and time for you to pick up your new pet or have it shipped when possible. Our turtles come with a no sale, no trade adoption contract upon adoption. Shipping is possible if temperatures allow, via FedEx next day shipping, for delivery on a Wednesday or Thursday. We've been shipping turtles for 20 years, and it's very humane, and better than how many turtles are transported to pet stores. Adopters must pay for shipping, and depending on location and turtle size, shipping may be between $50 and $130 for a typical turtle. In NJ, the state requires you to obtain a $10 Individual Hobby permit after getting a turtle. It's a fairly easy permit to get, and our adoption contract serves as a receipt needed to prove you didn't take the turtle from the wild. Visit https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/wildlife/exotic-and-nongame-wildlife-permit-applications/ to apply for a permit. See https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/wildlife/exotic-and-nongame-species-permit-faqs/ if you have questions. In Maryland our adoption contract serves as a receipt needed to prove you didn't take the turtle from the wild. Maryland regulations can be found at https://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Pages/Licenses/captive.aspx NY residents would need a special educational permit from the DEC to keep any Terrapene species of box turtle or any native NY state reptile. https://dec.ny.gov/regulatory/permits-licenses/fish-wildlife-plant/special-licenses/collect-possess-sell https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/lcpee16.pdf OH requires a permit for native reptiles and a native turtle would need to be microchipped if it's over 4". Eastern Box Turtles cannot be adopted to VA, GA, WV, PA, or most points north of PA on the eastern shore due to regulations in those states, although you can have a box turtle in CT. NY residents would need a special educational permit from the DEC to keep a box turtle. Red-eared sliders cannot be adopted to VA, WV, or FL.

Our Mission

Please note, we DO NOT have a shelter. All fostering is done from our homes. Conservation, Education, Adoption. We are an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in February, 1997, directed by concerned hobbyists and professionals, who saw a need to reach out to the public and improve the conditio...