Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm not saying that I know everything about every species of tortoise. But I do know a little about quite a variety of reptiles. And I'm always trying to learn more; which is why I came to this forum in the first place.
This brings me to another topic. I find it somewhat alarming that so many of the "new" tortoise keepers here only begin to ask about the care and habitat requirements of tortoises after they have already gone out and purchased one. That's a little late, in my opinion. What happened to "preparation", 'research" and "informed decision making"? What happens when these "impulse purchases" turn out to be harder to maintain than anticipated? I think this is why there is such a demand for tortoise rescues and adoptions. There's a woman in my area running a Turtle/Tortoise rescue facility that can't even begin to keep up with the influx of unwanted adult tortoises. It's sad that the animal is often the one that suffers from an uninformed purchase.

I think it's just human nature. It's like 'planning for kids'(a topic that's been hit here on more than one occasion)... If you ever sit down and figure out the knowns and then throw in a cushion for the unknowns, you'd never have kids.

From what I've found over the years it seems that for every one tortoise that is bought on impulse and discarded there are 5 more that become the resident of a fanatic. The majority of those that get into chelonians are that kind of people.

What you see at a rescuers facility is a skewed statistic. In fact, most rescuers seem to be collectors who are trying to justify their actions in the name of conservation.
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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

As someone who has asked some of the questions to which shiveley refers...you can conduct all the research you want, but once you have the tortoise, it becomes abundantly clear that you always need to learn more! We spent months looking at redfoots before we purchased Ndugu, but I'm still constantly quizzing people to clarify questions about feeding, housing, etc. Wouldn't you rather have us ask what may seem like basic questions than stay away and unintentionally harm our tort in the process? We work like crazy to keep Ndugu happy, but I don't feel like I'll ever know enough about torts to stop asking questions. Just my thoughts...

After you have read up and have one you still find new questions " Is this ok, is he sick " ...

There is alot of information I found that was conflicting so i would rather ask someone here to find out about their experiences.

The point is, you looked into your animal's basic requirements before making a purchase. And of course, you continue to have new questions as your animal develops and you encounter different situations. I was referring to the people that just go out and buy an animal and then, after already having purchased the animal, begin to find out what it takes to actually take care of that animal. That's the seemingly recurring scenario that I have a problem with.

I think like EJ mentioned it is just human nature. plus the history of keeping turtles. For many years people felt those little RES that you can get for $1.00 in chinatown can just live in those little turtle lagoons and be quite happy. People don't realize that there is alot more care invovled. You know that b/c you know about reptiles but having done environemental education for many years there are just alot of people out there that just think Oh I will by this turtle and just feed it this and it will be fine and do no research. Then they find out that it takes more then that and now have to research what to do. When you see those cute little torts in the store especially say a russian that you can get for like $40 at Petco sometimes it is hard to resist.
Many of the people that do NO research at ALL are people that more then likely know nothing about animals at all. Does taht makes sense.

The problem is ok, fine they made the mistake and impulse bought this thing, lets move on and help them the best way we can so that they can properly care for their turtle. To many times I hear people post on various forums (not just turtles by the way) oh I bought this and people respond how can you without research and blah blah blah and scare these people off. We need to be understanding and RESPECT the fact that at least now they are trying to find out the proper care which MANY people don't care at all.

That would be my biggest point.

Christina
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0.0.1 Hatchling Indian Star Tortoise (Sitara)
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
0.0.2 Rainbow Burrowing Frog/Ornate Hopper
0.0.1 Asian Blue Webbed Gliding Tree Frogs
0.0.1 Albino Pacman Frog
0.0.1 Budgett's Frog
0.0.2 Starry Night Reed 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

You make a good point. Atleast they are interested enough to want to do what is best for the animal.