>>No, as profitable as the black market may be for illegal animals, I'm simply not in that genre of business. I'd be the wrong guy to talk to.

That's a GOOD thing to hear!

>> In fact, the only tortoises I own are burmese stars, which are MUCH more rare and valuable/expensive than pancakes, and those aren't wild-caught either.

Again, another good thing (not being WC). Expensive yes, valuable? That is purely subjective as is my 'worth' of Pancakes. But, on that note if my Pancakes made me $75,000 dollars last season and your Stars made you $10,000, I'd say clearly my Pancakes are considerably more 'valuable'.

Bottom line: An animal is 'worth' what YOU think it's worth (not what someone tells you or what a 'market' sets it at). Of course, these very definitions I'm making of 'worth' could even be argued as being subjective. Could I sell an adult CBB female proven Pancake for 3 grand? Very unlikely! But, that is the 'worth' of the animal to me. Ultimately, the only true worth in my mind is the enjoyment I receive from keeping the animal and it's hopeful reproduction so other keepers can enjoy them too. Their value is only known when sold and I don't ever plan to sell these adults. I place a higher value on them than most I guess. Best of luck with those Stars. Did you produce them?

Matt

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