I can only hope that I can live long enough to get the experience and respect that Vic Morgan has. He knows more about torts than I ever will.

However, I would not have considered keeping an eyeless tortoise alive, nor an animal that can only walk in circles. Herp breeders (and I'm one) talk all the time about preserving the species and keeping races pure. Even though habitat destruction and human collection for food or otherwise is a major problem, it would be nice to have some pure animals that could be introduced into the wild. Hopefully the blind/lame animals are kept in a no kill area but don't breed. If that is so, I admire the dedication.

It seems that the breeding program of Mtn torts is very successful so I can't see keeping one animal alive as a precious source of diversity. Rescued box turtles are a different story and I have no problem with preserving a mobile feeding animal that has been mauled by man or beast.

I vote don't euthanize the Russian with three toes and I would breed it, but don't breed the deformed torts and consider euthanizing such hatchlings in the future.

This is my humble 2 cents.

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