Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was at a Petco. yesterday and I saw an adult spot-legged turtle (most likely wild caught) mixed in with some red eared sliders. The tank was labeled "red eared slider turtle- $13.99". Just curious... how much do spot-leggeds usually run? I wouldn't have bought it because I stay away from WC turtles, but I was just wondering if I could've gotten away with an expensive exotic for 14 bucks.

Thanks,

Andrew

about 25 - 50 60 dollars online. I have seen them in the 60 - 110 range at pet stores.

Well, my R.P Manni Don was $70 @ PetCo and Jess was $80 at PetSmart...CA Woods are not cheap to buy! They're adorable tho!
Are you 100% it's W/C?

Supposedly PetSmart's reptiles are CB...but who the hec knows. Jessie's shell is chipped on the edges and her scutes are rough, I think she was WC but I can't be 100%

No, I'm not sure if it was WC. I just assumed it was, since it was an adult. I'm actually not even 100% sure it was the same price as the RES. Guess I should've asked.
Thanks for the info

Andrew

If they were adults for that price in a pet store, then no, they were not CB. Many of the pet stores, especially the chain pet stores, will lie about whether the turtles/torts are CB or WC. Most of the time they just don't know any better, and asume they are CB because they came from a dealer in the US. One store honestly told me that all of their tortoises were CB because they came from a dealer in FL. FL being one of the largest import states!

Except for a handful of North American aquatics such as sliders and possibly some painteds, likely any turtle 4" or larger in a pet store is WC. As for tortoises, except for sulcatas and possibly a handful of redfoots, any tort 4" or larger is likely WC.

Katrina

Even so- i find that wild caught turtles have a better chance of eventually living up to the expectations of a captive breed than most other reptiles.

My first red ear was a WC and i still have her. She lives with my other CB's and is perfectly normal.... not agressive... a little timid but better than some CB's ive seen before.

Well, for me it's not about whether the WC make a better pet than CB (although generally they do). For me it's about the ecological imbalances likely caused by the mass collection of turtles and tortoises from their natural surroundings, by the diseases they might carry and distribute to OUR native species if they are released or escape, and about the large number of WC that die during capture, transport, and warehousing before they ever reach the store or show.

Katrina

Unfortunatly, I used to work at Petco for about 2 years. I am positive that the wood turtle is WC. Usually it is not that the employees are lying to you about being WC or CB, it is because they do not know. Petco is a horrible place that should not carry animals of any kind, they are not even qualified to take care of fish! The management no nothing about animals, and hire people who know nothing about animals. I do not have a problem with most WC animals, but just know if you buy one that you should get it checked out by a vet, and to be de-parasited.
F***k Petco!