i saw someone buy red eared sliders awhile ago and the lady that sold them told them i cant sell turtles under four inches unles they are for educational purposes those people said ok she then proceded to ask if they were teachers and they said no she said just say yes and then proceded to sell them their turtles. as far as i know it is prohibited and i see the signs in all the pet shops i go to but all the tutles they have are the size of a fifty cent piece and i cant see them not selling them cause they are always gone so i guess it is not enforced. im not sure if it applies to tortoises though.