Spiders (Arachnoides a.)

[Tim/Robin]

We have a breeding group of spiders and wanted to share a couple of pics. They are LTC and a 2.4 group. We are thrilled to have them with us.

From the research we've done, it seems likely these animals will move from CITES I to the Endangered Species List. So we are planning ahead for that, as we've read stories of the FWS removing animals from your home if you cannot prove they are LTC, even if you've had them for years. The person we purchased from has the paperwork showing their importation and a bill of sale from him regarding their purchase should suffice for proof. Any further thoughts on this matter?

Thanks for looking at our new family members.

 

[Isa]

Congrats on your New acquisitions Tim / Robin

Your new torts are soooo cute.

 

[Crazy1]

Tim & Robin they are a wonderful looking group and your Tort yard just gets better and better love the flowers that are growing now. Do you move the blocks and mow or do you use a weed wacker?

 

[egyptiandan]

They look great Tim and Robin and great pictures

I hadn't heard that they were being proposed for our Endangered Species List, but if they do go on it they would still be a CITES 1 animal. CITES and the Endangered Species List are 2 seperate things that govern different aspects of the animals. CITES deals with the world wide import and export of a species and our Endangered Species List deals with interstate transport of the species on the list.
What did you find saying they were being proposed for the Endangered Species List.

Danny

 

[Tim/Robin]

Danny,

I was reading and found talk that they could potentially end up on the ESL. It was only in a discussion forum. It seems that often times, once a CITES 1, the next step is the ESL. We really are just trying to make sure the appropriate paperwork exists, in the event that it does make it to the ESL, we can prove that they were imported prior to both the CITES 1 and the ESL designation.

 

[Tim/Robin]

Do you move the blocks and mow or do you use a weed wacker?

We use a weed wacker inside the blocks. We let the grass grow long before cutting. The torts seem to like the long grass. We've talked about getting rid of the grass to make things easier. But we're lucky to live in an area that grows grass so easily (unlike AZ for example) so we've kept it. Tortoises that arrive to us from desert environments always look around like this must be paradise and chomp blades of grass every few steps.

 

[Tim/Robin]

Tim & Robin they are a wonderful looking group and your Tort yard just gets better and better love the flowers that are growing now.

Thanks. Next spring we will plant lots more pansies since this seems to be as universally favored as hibiscus among the species. We do have lots of flowers that are edible, but most of them the torts wont eat.

 

[turtlemom]

What cuties!

They sure do have big eyes!

Donna

 

[Yvonne G]

I had no idea their eye was so large. They are beautiful tortoises! I wonder if the large eye means they move around at night? I took care of a breeding group of Pyxis.....can't remember the name, but it was some sort of Madagascar fat or flat tailed tortoise, prior to shipping them to their new home in Northern Calif. I have to say, they weren't very much fun to care for...would only drink from running water or sprinkler...wouldn't eat in my presence, etc. Really, REALLY shy. But your's don't look shy at all.

You two are amassing quite a nice diversified collection of tortoises. It would be fun to be able to come over and see them all in person!

Yvonne

 

[egyptiandan]

They do have big eyes Yvonne They are more a forest dwelling species and don't like a lot of bright light.
That would be the Flat-tailed tortoises, Pyxis planicauda Yvonne. WC adults can be a bit tricky to acclimate with this species.

Danny