Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My wife has been wanting a Russian Tortoise for a couple of years now, but we were waiting until we could find a captive bred hatchling before we purchased one. Anyway, yesterday we were in our local animal death trap...I mean, pet store getting feeder fish for our chicken turtle (we only frequent this hellhole of a store because there isn't another source of feeder fish within 40 miles). Anyway, in their window, baking to death was a Russian Tort, who was trying in vain to stay cool behind a wilted plant. It was in an enclousure with a water dragon, which was trying to save itself by completely emerging itself in a filthy water bowl. The tortoise had no UVB light, and only some slimly looking watermelon and cantalope was in its food bowl. I've tried talking to these people about proper care and I have even called the Humane Society - neither has worked. I even tried telling the owner that he would sell far more and make far more money if his animals were well cared for and healthy - once again nothing. Anyway, back to my point ... my wife immediately said, "We need to save that tortoise," and I agreed. As such, I found a helpful and ever so well informed (sarcasm) employee, and told her I would like to buy the Russian. She looked at me like I was insane. Then she said, "Do you have room for it?" Now, I actually thought this was a good question, since as you all know tortoises, even small ones, require good sized enclousures. I was even wondering if perhaps the store had hired someone with a brain for once. Well, I assured her that I did, and she looked at me again. Then she said, "Are you sure?" Now I was really impressed, but I assured her that I did indeed have room. "But they get to be 500 pounds!" she then told me. Needless to say I laughed at her. Sure it was rude, but I had a picture of an 8 inch, 500 pound tortoise flash into my head and couldn't help it. Now she looked offended so I explained that the tortoise would never get close to 500 pounds and explained about their size etc. Then she told me I was wrong. She explained that another customer had told her that they get to be huge and would weigh 500 pounds. She even had another employee come over and tell me the same. I asked what other wonderful tips this customer had given them. Well, it seems that the tortoise should be fed fruit and that it likes being in the window because of the sun and the UVB rays. I tried to explain that the tortoise was baking to death and that glass filters out UVB, but of course, I was wrong again. I didn't even bother with the fruit because obviously this other customer was some kind of tortoise expert, and I was a buffoon. My wife, bless her heart, said what needed to be said. "Are you two total morons?" she asked, "Have you ever thought of actually looking up any of this information in a book or on the net?" Now, they were both offened, so we paid for the tortoise and got out before we were pelted with cat poop. Now my wife is writing a letter to the owner and the newspaper about their incompetence. Maybe that will change something, but I have my doubts. Oh well...another day another idiot petstore employee.

Uhh, some people are just stupid. I work in a petstore, and my coworkers are complete morons on occasion. I try to research the animals the come into our care, and if I don't know something I right out tell people that I have no clue. Thankyou for rescueing the tortoise. Along with wrighting to a newspaper, contact a news stations, and the better business bureau.

It's simple! Stop buying("saving"tortoises from pet shops.
Stop supporting pet shops by buying your feeder fish there. Feeder fish are a poor
food source anyway. Purchase all your pet supplies from outlets that DO NOT sell livestock. On-line dealers offer the best prices generally. Complaining here, or to anyone else will not help. Everyone hates the evil pet shops, but everyone keeps throwing cash at them.

A well directed gesture to save a suffering tortoise - however, they'll take the money you just gave them and go buy two more. You're better off just hassling (educating) the employees until they finally get sick of listening to you and get their story straight.

I am in the market for a 500lb Russian Tortoise though so if yours new little guy ever gets that big let me know