Red Ear Turtle Shells

See the back view and the size comparison of all sizes with a soda can

See a photo of hatchling turtle shells with a quarter

We do not sell live turtles.

These small shells are often used to make medicine bags, talking sticks, and other craft projects. They come in a range of patterns and sizes.

Order Code	Description	Price Each
CR-227-0708	Red Ear Turtle Shells:7-8" (18-20 cm)	C$38.87
CR-227-0809	Red Ear Turtle Shells:8-9" (20-23 cm)	C$57.89
CR-227-0910	Red Ear Turtle Shells:9-10" (23-25 cm)	C$94.32

Genus and species: Trachemys s. elegans. Ranch or Wild.

Red ear turtle shells are not endangered and are not subject to CITES controls.

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.

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.

Five 9-10" turtle shells weigh 1,326 g. Each shell averages 265 g.

Five 10-11" turtle shells weigh 1,829 g. Each shell averages 366 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 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.