Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey,

Anyone know what the current market/price for these turtles are out there right now? I imagine pretty steep.

What are some of the obstacles in mass-breeding these guys? It's apparent they're not as easily propagated as red-ear sliders..hehe.

Johnny

I remember a conversation with Don Hamper (long time reptile breeder and dealer and all-around nice guy) who breeds this species: They go after their own eggs immediately after laying if not intercepted.

Whoa...go after their own eggs? Weird, not exactly the most successful fitness trait in evolutionary terms, I'd say. =P

heeehh I'd still have a spotted turtle over a bog, though they don't come cheaply either. Wonder if it's the similar bog habitat that's making both of these guys rare. I've been to a lot of bogs (mostly to study carnivorous plants) but I've never seen spotteds or bogs in the wild.

Johnny

They lay really small clutches, only 2-4 eggs. I've seen them as expensive as $1000 and as cheap as $600. Just keep searching and checking the classifieds.

Andrew

Johnny,

As far as prices go hatchlings can be gotten from as low as 5-700 all the way up to $1350 each from Don Hamper. WC ones are illegal as these are appendix I endangered, and that is also why you don't see many! Because there are not too many! The WC ones passed off as CB often die fast in captivity, even though the price tag of say 1000 bux for an adult sounds cheap at first, when you add legal fees, fines, possible jail time, and the fact that it could die it is easy to see why it is a bad idea! As far as the spotteds go...they have even made hybrids with bogs and spoties, but that is another story in itself! Anyway, spotteds usually run wholesale from 50-100 bux depending on how many you order...when they are not in season prices of 85-130 are not uncommon for wholesalers...resale prices are worth at least 115-150, but in this current season you can see hatchlings going for over 200 bux! Funny as an adult is worth MAX 275 haha. I don't know...200 bux shipped maybe, but more than that, and a spotted is not worth it! All depends on the markey, what people can pay, what they will pay, and how hard it is to find, etc! Spotties are a dime a dozen compared to bog turtles though. Nothing alike in popularity, or value! The bog turtle is like a legend to most herp owners...they hear about or have seen them, but can't say where. They will never touch one, and most should not even try!

-Steve