Shipping Adult Leopard Tortoise

Matt Golie

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Apr 15, 2015
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I am looking at selling a adult male/ female pair of Leopard Tortoises but I because of my location, Wisconsin, I am expecting I will have to sell them online which involves shipping. I have never seen a tortoise shipped, yet alone a pair of adults. How would you recommend shipping something like this? The male is smaller and weighs just over 6 pds and the female is about 9.3 pds- if that helps give you guys an idea about how big they are.

thanks for any help
 

Grandpa Turtle 144

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What are you thinking of asking for the pair ? The TFO has members all over the place you may be surprised .
 

Gillian M

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A very warm welcome to the :tort:forum and wishing you good luck in selling your tort.
 

Matt Golie

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Grandpa Turtle- The price I am asking for them is $1,000 + shipping cost for both of them. The two have been breeding for over a year but never produced any eggs yet... I was hoping to hatch out some baby torts but now my wife is expecting and we need the spare room that we have been using for reptiles. If I could find a local buyer that would be great because I would love to see the offspring from these guys but I just don't know how to find local breeders in WI.

Yvonne- I looked at the link you posted and noticed that it states that this is the recommended packaging for hatchlings and yearling- these guys are pretty big compared to a hatchling. The male is 10 1/2 inches long and the female is 12 1/2. to put them inside a plastic tote- would I use like a storage tote- inside a box?

Thanks to those of you welcoming to the tortoise forum I really appreciate it. :)
 

Yvonne G

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You put them into some sort of pillow case-like cloth and tie off the opening in a knot. Then nestle them into packing peanuts inside a cardboard box with a few holes punched into the sides. Clearly mark the box "this side up" with arrows pointing up, and "live animal" in red all around the box. Fill the box with packing peanuts to help keep the tortoises upright.
 

Grandpa Turtle 144

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Thank you for your response . As I said the TFO has many members in every corner of the world . Good luck !
 

Robyn@TRR

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The shipping example linked here in the thread is actually NOT a good way to ship tortoises, nor does it meet the live shipping requirements of FedEx or UPS. An insulated box with at least 3/4" insulation is required, and aside from the thermal regulation it provides, an insulated box also provides important structural rigidity and support, protecting the box, and the animals, against crushing.

We have a step by step photo guide available here-

For larger tortoises, a good double stitched bag will work. Be sure to use plenty of packing material to keep the tortoises from flopping around or moving in the box. Plenty of newspaper should be used to provide some absorption for any waste passed during the shipment as well, pretty common with tortoises.

We are always happy to help with packaging and shipping questions, feel free to contact us at [email protected]. You can use code APS40 for 40% off your first shipment as well. Best of luck!
 

JennK

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Apr 27, 2015
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I Live in Wisconsin and would love to take your babies! However, I do not have 1,000 and I would have to wait until I could build the. An outdoor enclosure. All well. How long do you have to rehome them anywhere are you located. I have heard that the larger the animal the more risk there is to shipping. But I don't have personal experience in shipping.
 

Matt Golie

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Apr 15, 2015
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Jenn- i am located in Shawano wi which is right about centered between Green Bay and Wausau. If you want to call me we could talk on the phone about a time line and see what we could work out. my phone number is 715-701-0395
 

JennK

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Apr 27, 2015
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My husband has a friend who lives in Shawano! I am watching my friends kids right now and there is a lot of commotion. But I will give you a call as soon as there's less commotion!
 

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