Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I purchased 3 russian tortoises from a local pet shop about a year ago,(1 fem,2 males)yes they were wild-caught imports,but after some deworming and hydrating i am happy to say all three are doing great,active ,alert and eating well.My concern is the legality of these torts.Like I mentioned,I bought them from a local petshop,saw them,fell in love with them ,purchased them ,thats it,I don't even think I have a bill of sale detailing their purchase ,but I keep reading in tortoise forums about permits and c.i.t.e.s and watever else.Does this make them illegal to keep?What if I wanted to sell them,someone please clear this up for me.

I am unsure of Canadian law being that I am an American, but your Russian Tortoises should be just fine weather you want to keep them, or sell them. Russian tortoises are not on any protected lists that I am aware of. Below is a short list of tortoises that you have to have CBW permits for to keep here in the U.S.

Galapagos Tortoises
Radiated Tortoises
California Desert Tortoise (this is a state permit

Regarding CITES, those are animals where importation is restricted but the species has not neccesarily been determined "endangered".

Here is a link describing the top 25 turtles and tortoises on death row as determined by the Turtle Survival Alliance.

http://www.turtlesurvival.org/TurtlesLowRez.pdf

Hope this helps. Your Russians are not protected by anyone but you and any other owners they may encounter.

Tortuga