Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My good friend visited Peru about 18 months ago, and when she came back, she also had two little new presents for me, 3" yellow foot tortoises (I am pretty sure they are yellowfoots from the research I did online). Apparently she just kept them in her pocket and security didn't notice the turtles, even when they went through the x-ray machine! I am kind of displeased with her for doing that, it must have been horrible for those little guys, but now I have them in a spacious outdoor pen with lots of edible plants and an aquarium indoors where they sleep at night.

These are the first tortoises I have ever owned, and I have been learning so much since she first gave them to me. She said she bought them from a pet store in Lima for 20 soles each. (About $6 ea.) And that the mother tortoise was in the store for sale too. So my tortoises weren't wild-caught, I was glad to hear that, but do any of you know if I need to get a license or something like that for my tortoises? I also want to take them to the vet soon and get a check-up, but they are still under 4" and I am scared that the vet will take my babies away from me. Can anyone help?

PS: the picture is of Lola. I'm sorry its not the best, but do you think it is a yellowfoot?

I don't think the law reads that you cannot own one under 4". Just not sell them commercially. Depending on where you are in US, you may or may not need a permit. You'd have to check that locally. At any rate, I seriously doubt the vet will take them from you. Call around and ask which vet specializes in reptiles in your area and see what they can tell you. I wouldn't say they were smuggled from Peru, just that you received them as a gift and want them to have a physical. Good luck.

Thank you both very much! I felt kind of silly posting this up, but my conscience was eating at me and I want to provide the best for these tortoises, considering the circumstances.

don't bring it up and don't worry about it.
Also, there is NOTHING illegal about owning an undersized turtle or tortoise! It is only SELLING them where the trouble starts.
Also, MAKE sure that this never happens again. U.S. Fish and Wildlife and Customs frown on smuggling!
But now that it is done, and you clearly had no criminal intent, just forget about it.
And stop blabbing on public forums about your illegal activities.

Thank you so much, I know I know, I just had to let it go, but I was wondering if you could tell from the picture if it is a yellow foot tortoise?

When people with good intentions come to a forum asking for help, there is no need to repremand them and treat them like idiots. It takes a lot of guts and someone who really cares about their critters to come here and ask for help about something that might seem like a silly question to more experienced herpers. If people start to think they will get chewed out for asking simple questions, then they will stop asking. In the end the animal in question could suffer for it, and all the people who read the posts without posting themselves will be less informed.

joke!
Did you really think I was serious?????????????????

It wasn't that question that was inappropriate, it was the added information that really was not necessary. There's nothing wrong with asking for a little help.
Ed

Rubia, for some reason the picture isn't showing.