Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm looking to purchase a DBT (Centrata or Ornate) hatchling to augment/accompany my Northern adult male. The only ad I see in the Classifieds is for the Serpent's Den, and their computer is down.

I used to see lots of DBT ads in the Classifieds. What's going on? Are they only available a certain time of year or are they all protected now, or what?

HELP!

Thx,

Walt

Well, a word of warning. Most adults for sale this time of year are wild-caught, acquired through the food markets, and come in really messed up - bacterial and fungal infections, shell rot, broken or missing toes, multiple abrasions, dehydrated, parasitized, and often emaciated.

In the late summer and fall you'll see hatchlings advertized.

Some of the rescues get them in for adoption, but they might have health problems that will require time and TLC (and vet bills) as well. Have you tried Turtle Homes or www.petfinder.com?

Katrina
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1.2 Eastern Muds - Fred, Ethel, Edith
0.1 Iguana - Tiffel
0.1 Bearded Dragon - Foster
Foster turtles: More than I'd like the husband to know about.

Agreed. PLEASE DON'T buy anything that is not at least a LOOONG term captive. I do lots of rehab on these guys and trust me. Fresh out of the Markets many look fine but in a week or two they are a fungused half rotted mess. Most recover but not without extensive (and costly) rehab. ASK MANY QUESTIONS before you buy. (like general health, CB or wild caught? If wild caught -- how long have they been in captivity? Kept in brackish or freshwater? Are they eating AND what are they eating?)

You are free of course to make your own decisions BUT I just want to offer you this advice for what it is worth -- unless you are experienced with rehabbing sick animals or have access to a good vet and are willing to pay for all the extensive treatments -- I would personally advise you to find a reputable breeder and get a captive born baby. It may cost alot more upfront BUT you will pay more than the cost of a healthy baby to cure a sick wildcaught adult.

Good Luck

Steve

Thanks for the good advice, both of you.

Here are a couple pics of my male DBT, Speckle. I got him in 2001 as a hatchling.

Walt

Handsome looking. How big is he? Do you have any other photos of him?

I think he's full grown at about 6" or so. I'm away from home and can't measure him right now. This pic shows him in relation to my hand (I have big hands.) And here's another one of him swimming. He spends 99% of the time in the water. I want to reconfigure his basking area to be more of a land area. He gets Reptomin and loves Gammarus chunks. They're like candy to him.

Walt

Very handsome. Definitley a boy. Just wanted to see a few more picks because he is robust looking and thought he may be a young female. Looked larger than I thought too until I saw your hand to get an idea of size. The tail (in the last picture) tells it all though.

Steve

I coulda told u that... one day he coupled with my RES I used to have. The kids came to me ... "SOMETHING'S WRONG WITH SPECKLE !!!"

I come in and the RES is freaking out, dragging my DBT around the tank because he couldn't break loose. It was hysterical (and a little gross).

The little guy is really packin' though...lol!

Walt

LOL!! My two males are all over anything that moves too. Very persistant little buggers.

I have been selling many adult Northerns, and Texas DBTs, in an effort to make some room, and concentrate on snakes.
While you said "Most" adults are wild caught, it makes it sound as though if I advertise my adults, nobody should buy them, as they must be wild caught.
Right now, I am holding off selling any turtles due to weather.
Your statements are a dis-service to all quality breeders and sellers.

I should think my statements are a SERVICE to you rather than a dis-service. If you are a reputable breeder than you have healthy quality and should be able to back that up. I would rather warn people so they ask question than allow them to be ripped off by disreputable individuals. If you can back up you statements about being reputable how is what I said a dis-service? It can only help you sell your animals because people will come to you if you are reputable. Clearly you are over reacting. I did afterall say MOST not ALL.

Steve

Since when is truth a dis-service to anyone who is honest?

Using the classifieds, I purchased two juveniles from.....sorry, I lost all my records recently, but they were both healthy CB individuals. Don't write off the "classifieds". There are good DB breeders there. Check them out but don't arbitrarily exclude them.

Agreed. And as I mentioned just ask questions. If someone is a reputable breeder they will be willing to answer your questions and assure you that you are getting a quality animal. The whole problem is those you try to make a quick sale with wild caught meat market DBT's that develop a host of problems.

I think the classified are a great place to find reputable folks. You just need to check them out know what questions you should ask.