When the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie came out in 1990, sales of pet turtles went up. People wanted their very own Donatello, Michelangelo, Raphael, or Leonardo. The problem? Keeping turtles as pets isn't good for people or turtles.

Turtles carry Salmonella, a germ that isn't harmful to turtles but can make humans—especially young children—very sick. Because of this, it's against the law to sell small turtles (those with shells less than four inches long). If you see small turtles for sale anywhere, report it to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html.

What's more, wild turtle populations and habitats are suffering. Too many are taken from the wild to be sold as pets or shipped overseas. Many die during transport or soon after—even though turtles can naturally live for decades.

So if you love turtles, go check out the movie or buy an action figure. Let real turtles—and all wild animals—live free!