Photonoid@aol.com
In regard to DBT’s in the wild. I have look many places along the Florida coast and out of a few hundred times out in the field have only come across them on twice. Once in the Florida keys were I came across an adult female basking along some mangrove trees, which jumped into the water the second I tried to get a picture. The second time was up in North Florida were I came across an adult male and sub adult DBT they were both basking on the side of a marsh canal, both immediately went into the water when I was detected. The adult male was never seen again but the smaller animal surfaced a few times before disappearing into the marsh. As for the Laws in Florida regulating DBT. Florida allows anyone person to maintain 2 DBT of any sub species, the catch is only 2 per household. In order to maintain more then that you are required to obtain a special possession permit, this permit does not allow you to breed, sell or collect DBT. Most of the permit that were issued, were issued back in late 1996 when Florida put them on the species of special concern list. The only way that a person living in Florida can obtain a DBT is to capture one themselves, or to purchase a turtle from a breeder outside the state, a recite is necessary for your records. A turtle given as a gift is also allowed. Sale within the sate in illegal. This is just a bit of legal info for you all. Florida is a strange state when it comes to laws and reptiles. They are always changing something. Take care Dave