Reptile & Amphibian Forums

does anybody know how much wild box turtles sell for? i would like to breed some. thanks

Why not adopt adults from a reptile rescue in your area?
Box turtles are protected to varying degrees in many states, so purchasing wild caught turtles may be illegal. Even keeping them as pets may require a permit, and breeding them may require another.
It certainly would be unethical buy a wild caught turtle, no matter what state you reside in.
Please re-think your strategy.
Stephanie

then why do I see "wild caught" on past listings? I want to breed these little guys because they are getting fewer and fewer around here because of all the roads. I guess we are not allowed to repopulate the area either. too bad.

I think you misconstrued the point I was trying to make.
You don't have to buy wild caught box turtles in order to breed them: you can adopt adults that are rejected pets, or have been rescued, and acquire your breeding stock via more ethical means.
By purchasing wild caught turtles, you would in fact be contributing to the problem of diminishing wild populations.
By adopting rescued animals, you would NOT be further depleting wild populations.
Wild caught animals are available for sale because it is still legal in some states: that doesn't make it ethical.
Instead of taking offense, I would urge you to think it over more thoroughly before you buy.
With all the unwanted pets available for a small adoption fee, we should all think twice about buying one.
Regards
Stephanie

>>Wild caught animals are available for sale because it is still legal in some states: that doesn't make it ethical.

I agree as pertains to most species of turtle. However, other species of herps with higher reproductive rates can sustain continued (limited) take.
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Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

hey Steph,
I really didn't take any offence to your last thread.
And I perfectly understood the post as well.
Thanks again!

Oh, good!
Check the regulations in your state vis-a-vis onership and breeding: you may be able to do what you propose. Look into getting your breeding stock via adoptions, though.
Stephanie

Just where are all these rescue organizations with all these unwanted turtles available for adoption?

I have been looking and have applied at 4 org. I never heard back from 3, and the fourth said my application looked good, but they didn't have any torts available at this time.

Am I having a run of bad luck, or are there not all that mamy torts available (besides RES anyway!)
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0.1.0 snapping turtle
0.1.0 painted turtle
0.1.0 ornate box turtle
0.1.0 Australian shepard
3.2.0 children
1.0.0 husband

Its not unusual for turtles to be available seasonally, predominantly in the summer months. Have you checked with a local herp society? They may know of pets that are going to be surrendered, etc. You can also check with veterinarians in your area.
Regards,
Stephanie

Was I one of those that applied to? I moved in the last six months, and had a family emergency that took me away from home for over a month recently, so I'm WAY behind on my adoption applications and correspondance, and I'll admit, some things fell through the cracks when we moved.

Katrina Smith
Mid-Atlantic Turtle & Tortoise Society

Nope, you were not one of the ones I have applied too. Do you ship turtles out of state?

According to my records I have sent my resume to 5 adoption orgs. and only one of them bothered to reply. (They said everything look fine, but they didn't have what I was looking for at the time.) Even if the other ones intended to turn me down, wouldn't it make sense to let me know that? Or at the very least just let me know they receive my application?
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0.1.0 snapping turtle
0.1.0 painted turtle
0.1.0 ornate box turtle
0.1.0 Australian shepard
3.2.0 children
1.0.0 husband

Well, I can't speak for other organizations, but I will say that during our move, I let a lot of things fall through the cracks, and didn't reply to all correspondances. Some things were lost in the move.

Just recently I was out of town for most of February for a family crisis, and it was emotionally draining as well as time consuming. I'm just now getting back into the swing of things, and badly at that, for right now.

Most rescues and herp societies are run by a small core of volunteers, and sometimes the volume of work becomes more than one or two or three people can handle. An emergency for just one person can through the whole system out of whack. It doesn't make it right, but it happens.

As for myself, yes, I do ship, but it's still a bit too cold on my end. Likely the mid or end of April is when I'll ship. Some animals can't be shipped for health reasons, or the original owner makes a request on the shipping option.

Katrina

I wasn't trying to make you feel bad about being outa commission! It happens, people have lives! But I doubt that 4 out of 5 org. I applied to had people w/ personal crisis!

Anyway, the one org. that did reply has found me a tortoise to adopt, so all is well that ends well!
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0.1.0 snapping turtle
0.1.0 painted turtle
0.1.0 ornate box turtle
0.1.0 Australian shepard
3.2.0 children
1.0.0 husband