With every other kind of animal, the younger the more expensive. Why is it the opposite with tortoises? Totally out of curiosity!
Why are hatchlings cheap?
- Thread starter TuckerDucker
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SweetGreekTorts
Well-Known Member
My guess is that it's because they take so long to grow. Also, once old enough to determine gender, females can often cost more than males because of their potential to lay eggs.
This varies on the species and sex of the animal. Supply and demand. One example is Russian tortoises, hatchlings are more expensive than males. For other tortoises the older they get the more they cost such as Aldabras, Galapagos, etc...
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It seems to be the other way around here, too.
People buying tortoises on a whim, and soon they want to give them away when they grow to an inconvenient size.
People buying tortoises on a whim, and soon they want to give them away when they grow to an inconvenient size.
Tortoises also live a lot longer. People will pay a fortune for a nice looking 10 year old radiata. No one is going to offer a lot of money for a 10 year old Great Dane.
Self-interest. The root problem of the animal trade regardless of whether it is tortoises or Great Danes...as I sit and type with a semi-feral, young Kelpie X I'm temp fostering from my local shelter.
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Not following. What does self interest have to do with the value of the animal?
~ Simply put.
there is little invested(work/cost) in the care of hatchlings in comparison to a captive raised adult , raising them is where the cost is incurred . the longer you keep them the more they cost …… hatchlings are much riskier as far as survival ……….. as far as puppies , depends on the dogs , no puppy I know of has sold for the prices , or anywhere near , what I've seen some adult dogs sell for ……..
People value animals in relation their own interests, and less, sometimes a lot less, in relation to the interest of said animal/s. Animals become less valuable or dispensable when they do not meet the needs of people. Just another layer to consider.
