Please ID WC or CB

[goodsmeagol]

I have been told by photo ID once before in this forum ages ago that this Russian is a Wild Caught.
It was sold to me as a CB.

Since someone got a Russian I fell in love and have spent the last 4 months looking for another/more.
Since 1971 it has been Illegal to import Any Tortoises or Tort eggs into Canada.
As you might imagine, it is nearly impossible for me to locate a Canadian breeder, or any adults for sale.
I started looking at importing a CB from the States(this is when I found out it was illegal to import them).
Now I am very curious what other people think this tort is.
He do not really mind which it is, he is still awesome.

If it is WC, please remember he belongs to a friend of a friend of a friend who I do not know.

I look at these pics and go, good riddens to the sand, no wonder it itched his eyes look at it everywhere!

 

[Meg90]

WC for sure. 1000%. He's probably between 7-11yrs old at least. Russians are usually wild caught, and only in recent years are really sold CB now.

 

[goodsmeagol]

WC for sure. 1000%. He's probably between 7-11yrs old at least. Russians are usually wild caught, and only in recent years are really sold CB now.

Good thing I have NOO clue where it lives.

What do you look for to tell them apart? I can not find good comparison shots on Google.

This is NOT my tortoise.

 

[Kristina]

Just because it is illegal to import WC tortoises and eggs, doesn't mean that WC tortoises from BEFORE 1971 are now illegal. At least that is not how it works here. That would mean anyone that ever had a tortoise that was once a WC is now breaking the law. They would basically have to track down, confiscate and destroy all those tortoises. Do you really think they are going to do that?

Tortoises live a LONG time. It is absolutely not unreasonable to believe that Russian has been in your country since before 1971.

As long as YOU yourself did not break the law by importing a tortoise, I doubt you have anything to worry about. Canada isn't a police state as far as I know, lol. Relax.

Kristina

 

[goodsmeagol]

Just because it is illegal to import WC tortoises and eggs, doesn't mean that WC tortoises from BEFORE 1971 are now illegal. At least that is not how it works here. That would mean anyone that ever had a tortoise that was once a WC is now breaking the law. They would basically have to track down, confiscate and destroy all those tortoises. Do you really think they are going to do that?

Tortoises live a LONG time. It is absolutely not unreasonable to believe that Russian has been in your country since before 1971.

As long as YOU yourself did not break the law by importing a tortoise, I doubt you have anything to worry about. Canada isn't a police state as far as I know, lol. Relax.

Kristina

lol, yeh I half am in jest.
But Meg said its 7-11 yrs old.
Ill go with 47 tho, he is just a wee lad.

And I will say, I am willing to pay big for a Canadian proven Breeder female or 2, I would love nothing more to help open this awesome tort up to Canadians.
So if you know any one up here! I would even be willing to partake in a stud out to any adult female with a tri monthly stay.

Far as I can see, We have Sullys and Leos up here that are CB

 

[Kristina]

http://www.isell.com/toronto_on-rs5...ians-c2053/other.reptiles-c2065/ad132560.html

http://www.reptilescanada.com/

 

[goodsmeagol]

http://www.isell.com/toronto_on-rs5...ians-c2053/other.reptiles-c2065/ad132560.html

http://www.reptilescanada.com/

Thanks for the isell link, a few months old, but it sounds like they know torts. I will contact them.

Reptiles Canada has not had a Russian Tort posting since last November, a lady in New Brunswick. I have already spoken to her, it sounded like she might be able to help me out, but when I asked for a reference, she has not returned an email.

 

[Kristina]

Just a couple things I pulled up on google

 

[Meg90]

I think we're getting our wires crossed on imported---did you mean imported TO Canada? They still import WC Russians by the hundreds every year. If your friend got him from a shop, or even from someone else, its logical to think that THEY got it from a shop at some point. Shops have licenses to get imported animals.

But that growth is too ridged to be CB. The grooves are from droughts and hard times (what a vet told me). He looks pretty "worn" in too. CB torts look much fresher, and the color of their shells is usually lighter, more yellow. Emphasis on usually.

 

[Kristina]

They import hundreds (actually more like thousands) of Russians to the US every year - but not to Canada. That is what the OP is saying. It is against Canada's laws.

 

[goodsmeagol]

I am under the understanding that it is 100% illegal to import any Torts regardless of who you are.
I have contacted a few agencies in Canada and none have suggested I find someone who can import them, or gave hint to anyone at all importing them.
Never seen them in any pet stores here too(well thankfully).


From the Isell ad above:
I read this as a scam.
She was advertising on a Toronto classified section.
If she was as reputable as she says she is she would hopefully know she can not import them to Toronto...
My search continues!

------------------------------------------------
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Thanks