Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,
I'm thinking of going to the NY Reptile Expo this Sunday. I'm going back and forth about buying either a red foot, or a leopard tortoise.
There really aren't that many sources where I live to buy from breeders; and I'm a little nervous about buying from the internet and shipping live animals.
I've seen prices on the web; but how do the show prices compare?
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Keith

Generally, you are able to get a better price at a show. The seller doesn't have to pack the animal for shipping which can save both of you money. Additionally, if the seller is having a really good sales day, he may be inclined to sell some animals at lower prices because he is in a good mood and/or just so he doesn't have to take them home again. The savings can be really good if you wait to buy until later in the afternoon of a one day show or the afternoon of the second day of a two day show. The downside is that the really choice animals of the species you want may already have been sold if you wait. You should decide how much the tortoise is worth to you (preferably before getting there and being caught up in the excitement of the day and paying too much), and then find someone who will sell you one which you like for the amount you wish to spend. You should ask the sellers if they will take X amount of dollars for any animal which you like. The worst that can happen is that they will say no. Another thing to remember is that at the NY show, sales of animals under 4" are not legal, and this is frequently very strictly enforced, so if you want one that small, you will not get a good selection at the NY show if you are able to get one there at all. What species did you hope to buy? Maybe I can refer you to a good source as I know many people who go there. Good luck. Bill Z.

Most of the time the cost of the animals is less at the shows.
I'd suggest a Redfoot over a Leopard for ease of care.
If you do go with either, regardless of the source, factor in a vet checkup and fecal check. There are a good number of WC redfoots available and they are notorious for carrying parasites. This is not hard to deal with but it is important that it be dealt with early.
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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

I actually go to the NY reptile expo every time and there is not a huge selection of torts there. So don't be too dissapointed there are tons of leopard geckos and supplies but not too many torts. MOst of the ones I have seen are also quite large very rarely do they have anything at 4". But you may get lucky. BIggest thing to remember is to do all of your research first and know what you are getting into. I actually don't recall seeing that many redfoots or leopards I have seen greeks, russians and maybe a few others. But good luck, I know exactly what you mean with shipping but that maybe the way you will have to go.

Maybe I will see you there.
Christina
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1.1 Russian Tortoise (Willy & Mikey)
0.1 Ornate Box Turtle (Lily)
1.0 Red Eared Slider (Chester)
0.0.2 White's Tree Frog (Kermit & Phil)
0.0.1 Red eyed Tree Frog (Justin)
0.0.1 Big Eyed Tree Frog
0.0.2 Bubbling Frog
0.0.2 Tiger Leg Tree Frogs (Akari & Shiro)
0.0.3 Amazonian Milky Tree Frogs
0.0.1 Dwarf Megophrys
0.0.1 Rainbow Burrowing Frog/Ornate Hopper
0.0.3 Asian Blue Webbed Gliding Tree Frogs
0.1 Praire Dog (Timmy)
0.2 Chinchillas (Layla & Snickers)
0.3 mice
0.1 dog (Holly)
2.0 Cats (Champ & Bear)

Oh and a husband

I will be going to the NY reptile show this Sunday as well. I heard that there are a lot of geckos but I am going to see the different species and various setups. I didn't buy my leopard tort from a breeder. I bought him from a pet store in Nanuet, NY. The owner has MANY differnt types of turtles and tortoises. I have found that he is about 20 bucks more than a breeder. I bought him there because I didn't want to deal with shipping since I just find that awful for any animal to go through. I couldn't find a breeder in the area also.
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Lisa

1 Mali Uro - Matilda
1 Leopard Tort - Herman
1 Shih Tzu - Jake

lisasmith@optonline.net
Monroe, NY