Advice Please - Leopard on Craigslist

[Sandy Martinez]

A couple days ago saw a Leopard advertised on craigslist. They were asking for $800 but I offered $300 and they accepted. The ad says its close to 4 yrs old and the pics shows that its been kept in an aquarium much to small from what I can see and it has some pyramiding. They have advertised as a female. From the pics, can you tell if its a south african or other? Does being raised in an aquarium much too small -- make growth rate slower? Once that changes can it still reach full growth or will it more than likely be smaller? I'm trying to attach some pics but hasn't gone thru yet. Looks to be the size of a banana at 4 yrs old. I will keep trying to attach pics.

 

[Yvonne G]

Your picture didn't post. Chances are very good that it is NOT a SA leopard.

 

[Sandy Martinez]

Here's a pic of the leopard.

 

[Sandy Martinez]

Here's another pic

 

[dmmj]

I have to admit despite the pyramiding it looks pretty good

 

[Sandy Martinez]

In another pic I wasn't able to post the owner shows it next to a banana so I'm estimating its about 6-7 inches. Is its size smaller than it should be? Will that affect future growth? How large do they get? I guess its more than likely not a south african, i'm assuming.

 

[cmacusa3]

I looked at the add and I would say somewhere around 8" by comparing to the dome fixture. Horrible that she's in that little tank but like was said, she looks pretty good despite the pyramiding. Markings don't look like SA either, that 800.00 is crazy

 

[Sandy Martinez]

How large do they usually get. Does $ 300 sound about right for a 3yr old.

 

[cmacusa3]

How large do they usually get. Does $ 300 sound about right for a 3yr old.

They can get between 10-18"

I think 300.00 for her is a fair price if it's definitely female.

 

[wellington]

I saved one from CL for 35.00. He too was in a very small aquarium. He couldn't walk, only pulled himself along. I did hydrotherapy on him and now he's my fastest. He too was very small for his age. He was the same age as my first leopard and about half the size. He caught up on his size too and I think he is now larger thrn my original male
For a CL tort the 300 is high to me. However, for his/her size and not looking too bad the price isn't bad if it were coming from a breeder anyway. I only paid 450.00 for a 5 year old female from a reputable breeder/owner.

 

[Sandy Martinez]

Referring to the pics does it look more like a babcocki? And that subspecies is generally smaller correct? Just trying to learn and make sure I don't get in over my head if I do decide to buy it. Thanks

 

[cmacusa3]

Referring to the pics does it look more like a babcocki? And that subspecies is generally smaller correct? Just trying to learn and make sure I don't get in over my head if I do decide to buy it. Thanks

I looked at the pictures on Craigslist and I would say yes Babcocki and Yes it's the smaller species

 

[Sandy Martinez]

Thanks -- so that would be between 10-18" right?

 

[cmacusa3]

Thanks -- so that would be between 10-18" right?

Yep and this one could be on the smaller side because of the stunted growth but Like Wellington said, once they get to a better environment they can start growing again and quickly. I rescued one a little over a month ago. She's around 3 years and is very small at 490 grams when I got her, now in ideal conditions she was already at 734 grams. That's almost 250 grams in a very short period

 

[wellington]

Thanks -- so that would be between 10-18" right?

Just don't forget. Even though it's the smaller species, it still needs a lot of space now. no aquarium is big enough and neither is a tote box. Also needs a summer outside area.

 

[Theo.tortoise.lover.7]

I saved one from CL for 35.00. He too was in a very small aquarium. He couldn't walk, only pulled himself along. I did hydrotherapy on him and now he's my fastest. He too was very small for his age. He was the same age as my first leopard and about half the size. He caught up on his size too and I think he is now larger thrn my original male
For a CL tort the 300 is high to me. However, for his/her size and not looking too bad the price isn't bad if it were coming from a breeder anyway. I only paid 450.00 for a 5 year old female from a reputable breeder/owner.

To me this looks like a blonde too. If it was, it would still a little over priced, but a better deal than not.

 

[wellington]

To me this looks like a blonde too. If it was, it would still a little over priced, but a better deal than not.

I agree it's a blonde. Price is good if it wasn't a CL tort. However, it doesn't look to be in bad shape either.

 

[cmacusa3]

If their throwing in all the other stuff, that's a pretty good deal. Of course not using the tank for the tort, But those fixtures and other stuff is still worth some money too.

 

[Theo.tortoise.lover.7]

I agree it's a blonde. Price is good if it wasn't a CL tort. However, it doesn't look to be in bad shape either.

I think that it is a really good deal if he can provide a yard for it. It looks to be much healthier than a normal tortoise living under those conditions. On the other hand, the aquarium could be from when it was young and that is what was used for only a small amount of time. I would be very surprised if it spent its entire life in it, it just simply looks to be too healthy.

 

[cmacusa3]

I think that it is a really good deal if he can provide a yard for it. It looks to be much healthier than a normal tortoise living under those conditions. On the other hand, the aquarium could be from when it was young and that is what was used for only a small amount of time. I would be very surprised if it spent its entire life in it, it just simply looks to be too healthy.

The add says it spends time outside. This why I said 300 is a fair price and the fact that they says it's female