Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What do we know about this tortoise? I saw an ad at Turtle Times for a couple of them and in all my years of watching KingSnake I have never seen these offered before. I have only heard about them. Can someone clue me in on some facts about the species?

Thanks

Tortuga

If they are WC, be prepared for some serious work. They are one of the mor difficult tortoises to acclimate. Think long and hard before diving into the keeping of this species.
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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

Everything I've read indicates that WC Impressa are likely the hardest tortoise to adapt to living in captivity and have a high mortality %. According to TSA material, however, if you are lucky enough to produce CB babies, they appear to not have the same fragility that their wild parents do.

I imagine those animals are going for a pretty penny. I'd be concerned about possibility of losing your investment.

Those animals should go to an organization like Tewksbury or into a TSA group.

Paul

Article on Impressa.
http://www.tortoise.org/archives/impressa.html

From the World Chelonian Trust...

"The number one problem in the species currently is the lack of wild caught founders due to almost 100% mortality during the adaptation process to captivity. While there are many species that are difficult to adjust, this species is far and away the toughest of all.

This is also an extremely difficult species to sex if you are just looking at one or two animals. And we do mean extremely difficult! But much like Geomyda spengleri, once you see a male, the differences are apparant and you know what a female looks like."

http://www.chelonia.org/sexing/sexing_Manouria_impressa.htm

Thanks for the responses, all with good info and sources! I wasn't even considering investing in them, however it intrigued me that some were availble for sale. I had never seen them posted before.

Thanks

Tortuga

I too have never seen them posted available. It's a shame they are so difficult to keep as they are a beautiful species. Perhaps one day we'll learn why they don't fair well in captivity.

Paul

First ones' I've ever seen to for sale.

http://www.turtletimes.com/classifieds/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9202

Ernie

Have just corresponded with the person who has them for sale. They are in Malaysia, says they're captive bred, and a male and female.

Right, captive bred...and I'm married to Hally Barry.

He's asking $650 each and $200 shipping. Good luck to any of you "Impressa" gamblers.

Those animals are not CB. Noone has had success keeping these animals that long. They would have to be 12 years old at that size which would mean that he is the most successfuly person in the world at keeping and breeding this 'impossible' species.

He should share his secret with those folks trying to save the species from extinction.

Pau

My point exactly.

Ernie

Not fully true!
There are european keepers that have specimens since more than 10 years (I personally knew one that had a pair since 1982), and there are captive breeding successes too, I have just taken photos of a impressa hatchling some weeks ago at a friends place... I could also well imagine that keeping and breeding them in malaysia themselve should not be a very difficult business, as it is normal with breeding species in their natural country of origin.... However, the depicted specimens at TTimes look WC to me and much older than "some years"

I saw one a few years ago. He really just didn't seem all that impressed. I tried telling him a few jokes, did a tap dance, a couple of card tricks....still nothing. I sang him a jolly Irish drinking song. Still nothing. He just simply was NOT impressed. Just sat there like a barnacle on a tuna boat with no expression at all.

Maybe they should change their name to DEpressed tortoise.

hey Paddy...you forgot the lap dance and da GUINNESS!!!

You're right, I didn't try the Guiness, and how can I ever call myself a respectable Irishman again for that horrible lapse in judgement? As far as the lap dance, well, ahem, I was afraid to admit it on the board, but I DID do one for the tortoise. But it was only for a MINUTE and I didn't let him touch me in any special places! I SWEAR it!

...aggg go on...howabout a little tickle?:-0... (but certainly NOT after a few swiggles of those Guinzzzzzzzz...)