Michael231
Member
My friend and I are currently writing up a report on gigantism in yellow-footed tortoises, and we are finding some very interesting things!
However, we are a little stuck right now, and we think the forum could really help us out. As part of our writeup, we are trying to give an overview of the overall history of the trade of tortoises, specifically yellow-footed tortoises in the United States. We are currently curious about when this trade really started, most books on tortoises don't really go into the first specimens ever imported or the year(s) that they came into captivity. I dug up some old papers about the sulcata trade, and they mention a man by the name of Paquita Machris who was possibly the first to import sulcatas into the United States sometime prior to 1966. However, I am not sure if this is truthful, it seems like there could have been some imports coming in before this specimen.
As for U.S. imports of yellow foots based on past forums it is clear there were numerous specimens coming into the U.S. by the 1970's. However, were there any individuals coming in prior to this decade? Someone posted a photo of two yellow foots awhile back with the caption that they came from someone named Chase in 1971-2. The caption said they were in Miami as well. So clearly they were here by the 70's, but when were the first ones coming in?
Lastly, is there any consensus on the first tortoise species to enter the pet trade in the United States? Surprisingly little info exists on this, and I'm curious what everyone has to say about it.
I attached a photo of whom I presume to be Mrs. Machris with the tortoise she collected. The photo is dated 1967.
Any input concerning any of these questions is greatly appreciated!
However, we are a little stuck right now, and we think the forum could really help us out. As part of our writeup, we are trying to give an overview of the overall history of the trade of tortoises, specifically yellow-footed tortoises in the United States. We are currently curious about when this trade really started, most books on tortoises don't really go into the first specimens ever imported or the year(s) that they came into captivity. I dug up some old papers about the sulcata trade, and they mention a man by the name of Paquita Machris who was possibly the first to import sulcatas into the United States sometime prior to 1966. However, I am not sure if this is truthful, it seems like there could have been some imports coming in before this specimen.
As for U.S. imports of yellow foots based on past forums it is clear there were numerous specimens coming into the U.S. by the 1970's. However, were there any individuals coming in prior to this decade? Someone posted a photo of two yellow foots awhile back with the caption that they came from someone named Chase in 1971-2. The caption said they were in Miami as well. So clearly they were here by the 70's, but when were the first ones coming in?
Lastly, is there any consensus on the first tortoise species to enter the pet trade in the United States? Surprisingly little info exists on this, and I'm curious what everyone has to say about it.
I attached a photo of whom I presume to be Mrs. Machris with the tortoise she collected. The photo is dated 1967.
Any input concerning any of these questions is greatly appreciated!