Karechan
New Member
Hello!
I'm new to the forums, and as stated in my introductory post, I'm experienced with owning dogs and small mammals (especially rats) but my only experience with reptiles has been two anoles I had as a kid. However, I am looking to get a companion who will be more of a solid rock in my life that has so far been a revolving door of rodents.
I've done a lot of research and believe a Russian Tortoise would be the best fit for me. I currently live in an apartment (in the St. Louis, Missouri area) where he wouldn't be able to go outside but I plan to buy a house (in central Illinois) towards the middle/end of next year (2019) where he'll be able to be outside in the yard sometimes. I checked to make sure my existing exotic vets see this species and I should be good to go.
Long story short, I am looking for recommendations of where to get my new pal.
I am looking for an established, captive bred adult male. I do not want one that was captured from the wild both because of potential health concerns and because I feel it is unethical to take wild animals from their natural habitats for the pet trade. I want an adult because I am concerned over the "fragility" of a hatchling and the extra care they seem to require.
Now comes the question of where I get him. I have not been able to find any in rescues nearby nor can I find any breeders near me.
So that leaves me strongly considering purchasing him online.
The only place I have been able to find that offers captive bred adults is TortoiseTown/CBReptile, which appear to be run by the same people and do not seem to enjoy a good reputation among you guys.
I know you guys here have strongly recommended Arizona Tortoise Compound and Tortoise Supply. However, both seem to only offer cb hatchlings or imported/wild caught adults. I also saw this thread (https://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/arizona-tortoise-compound-terrible-experience.141229/) and how the incident was (well-documented and self-admittedly) handled honestly put me (as someone fairly well-connected with the animal field) off from wanting to buy from Arizona Tortoise Compound.
So my questions are several.
1) What kind of additional care do hatchlings need and are my reasons for not wanting one really justified/valid?
2) Why do Arizona Tortoise Compound and Tortoise Supply come so highly recommended from you guys when they sell wild caught animals?
3) I am not sure how comfortable I am buying/adopting a tortoise from someone on these forums when I know your credentials just as well as I know TortoiseTown or any of these other online vendors. Wouldn't it be safer to go through an established business with a live arrival/7-day guarantee?
4) With all this in mind, what are your recommendations for where I should buy/adopt my tortoise?
Thanks a bunch!
I'm new to the forums, and as stated in my introductory post, I'm experienced with owning dogs and small mammals (especially rats) but my only experience with reptiles has been two anoles I had as a kid. However, I am looking to get a companion who will be more of a solid rock in my life that has so far been a revolving door of rodents.
I've done a lot of research and believe a Russian Tortoise would be the best fit for me. I currently live in an apartment (in the St. Louis, Missouri area) where he wouldn't be able to go outside but I plan to buy a house (in central Illinois) towards the middle/end of next year (2019) where he'll be able to be outside in the yard sometimes. I checked to make sure my existing exotic vets see this species and I should be good to go.
Long story short, I am looking for recommendations of where to get my new pal.
I am looking for an established, captive bred adult male. I do not want one that was captured from the wild both because of potential health concerns and because I feel it is unethical to take wild animals from their natural habitats for the pet trade. I want an adult because I am concerned over the "fragility" of a hatchling and the extra care they seem to require.
Now comes the question of where I get him. I have not been able to find any in rescues nearby nor can I find any breeders near me.
So that leaves me strongly considering purchasing him online.
The only place I have been able to find that offers captive bred adults is TortoiseTown/CBReptile, which appear to be run by the same people and do not seem to enjoy a good reputation among you guys.
I know you guys here have strongly recommended Arizona Tortoise Compound and Tortoise Supply. However, both seem to only offer cb hatchlings or imported/wild caught adults. I also saw this thread (https://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/arizona-tortoise-compound-terrible-experience.141229/) and how the incident was (well-documented and self-admittedly) handled honestly put me (as someone fairly well-connected with the animal field) off from wanting to buy from Arizona Tortoise Compound.
So my questions are several.
1) What kind of additional care do hatchlings need and are my reasons for not wanting one really justified/valid?
2) Why do Arizona Tortoise Compound and Tortoise Supply come so highly recommended from you guys when they sell wild caught animals?
3) I am not sure how comfortable I am buying/adopting a tortoise from someone on these forums when I know your credentials just as well as I know TortoiseTown or any of these other online vendors. Wouldn't it be safer to go through an established business with a live arrival/7-day guarantee?
4) With all this in mind, what are your recommendations for where I should buy/adopt my tortoise?
Thanks a bunch!