Hi everyone. Is Petsmart a good place to buy a Russian. I've heard mixed views and I want to know if anyone has any advice.
Thanks
Thanks
Petsmart
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I personally wouldn't buy from Petsmart or recommend purchasing one from there. Many of the employees give out misinformation as well. However, I am biased and recommend always finding someone on here (our tortoise family forum) who is a breeder of Russians
You will be very happy and offered long-term after care guidance and help
You will be very happy and offered long-term after care guidance and help
I would never recommend buying an animal from any chain store, but at the same time, I wouldn't hold it against you if you did. I think there are much better sources of animals, but it is not the fault of the animals that find themselves in a tank at Petsmart. It is not the animals there that are necessarily bad, it is the process that results in them being there that is bad. I would not support that. A quality breeder is a much better source in my opinion.
Thank you for your help. I'm going to try to look into some online CB breeders.
What are some good online breeders. I know there's a lot. Are sites like LLL Reptile, Big Apple Herp, or Tortoise Supply good sites?
DITTO But we all understand if you do purchase from them. A lot of members have. Sometimes, one just catches your eye or tugs at your heart. Just be sure you don't listen to the employees advice on care or the stuff you need. Rely on the members here. They will tell you the truth. Also, remember most of the Russians at least at those stores are probably wild caught and are around 4-5 years old.
check out Tortoise Supply, I have not purchased a tort from them, but others always speak highly of them.
I haven't heard feedback about the other sources, they might be just fine.
Also post a thread in the 'wanted' section, and be sure to scan the 'for sale' section, both on this forum.
Finally, keep an eye on Craigslist in your area. You might be able to give one a better life.
I haven't heard feedback about the other sources, they might be just fine.
Also post a thread in the 'wanted' section, and be sure to scan the 'for sale' section, both on this forum.
Finally, keep an eye on Craigslist in your area. You might be able to give one a better life.
Yes, try tortoisesupply.com
I personally wouldn't buy from pet smart either. They are crammed in a tank . Who knows if they are healthy. You could get one that's already sickly and endure a vet expense right off the bat. Finding a reliable breeder. Or someone from the forum. I use the arizona tortoise compound here in Arizona, Andy is a great guy. He stands behind his torts and products. Which he is also a member of the forum. Good luck
Don't forget...there are members here who breed RT. You'll know what you're getting!
it depends on the person who take care of them, some petsmart employees don't really care about them, some take care of them as their own. in my place petco's russian are better because their torts are active and healthy. but if your petsmart's russian is not seem to be healthy i prefer just to buy in LLL reptile their torts are way cheaper than petsmart, but plus the shipping for them i think you will spend more like 20-30$
Best case scenario is to buy directly from a breeder here on the forum. I know Tyler at tortoisesupply.com and I know he takes care of his babies very well. I know the owner of LLL too, and he's a good guy, but I don't know where they get theirs or how they care for them. It is worth asking them. They are both members of our forum here.
A big chain pet store is about the last place I'd want to get one. Those are wild caught and have been through a rough journey to get there. Not the best source if you are looking for a pet.
A big chain pet store is about the last place I'd want to get one. Those are wild caught and have been through a rough journey to get there. Not the best source if you are looking for a pet.
Biggest problem with places like Petsmart is they for one do not house them properly. I know they don't have much room but I have seen two - 5" Russians in a tank (yuck) not even 10 gallons so they have no room to move and usually they stick a bunch of junk in there like a huge piece of grape wood blocking them from getting to there food or water. I have seen them not even provide water. Stick with us on here you best bet is to get it from a breeder especially on our forums.
When a seller is selling a tortoise and it says "farmed raised" does this mean they are captive bread or that they are imported and then raised? Thanks for everyone's help. My first couple days on the forum and its great.
Breeders are best!
T Smart said:
That term can mean many things. It is supposed to mean captive bred on a "farm" in its native land in most cases. But it can also mean that wild females were collected, housed in a big pen until they laid their eggs and then released. Sometimes they are just wild caught and given that false moniker of "farm raised" so they can be legally exported, or just to make the people at the country of their destination feel better about it. As far as quarantine and planning ahead for vet bills and casualties, better to treat "farm raised" the same as wild caught.
Yes as a general rule terms like farm raised and long term captive is just a way of saying we plucked them out of the wild and put them in captivity about 6 months ago then put them in crates and exported them.
Thanks I understand now. I'll look in to finding a breeder.
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