Buying Hatchlings

[kanieto]

Hello, I don't know if I'm in the right area to ask this, but is there a trustworthy place to buy a healthy hatchling. In the past I thought I was doing a good service by not buying from a big chain franchise and bought from a private seller from craigslist. Now that I look back I regret being so stupid! Anyway I had the hatchling for only a few days and I noticed he wasn't eating and the bottom shell was soft. I called the person many times and left several messages. I had a vet appointment the next day, but when I woke up the next morning he wasn't moving so I didn't care if I was too early for the appointment, I rushed him in and she confirmed he was dead. She also told me she sold him to me way to young and he was not properly taken care of after hatching.
I do not want to repeat this and want to give a sulcata a loooooooooong and happy life. So do I resort to my local pet store? Sorry if this is a stupid question.

 

[tortoise5643]

Lots of members here sell baby tortoises that are well started and can always provide information for many years. Tom comes to mind but I'm sure there are lots of others he is just very well known on the forum.

 

[Yvonne G]

I'm pretty sure our members are trustworthy. Take a look through our 'for sale' section, even through the 'sold' section and see who sells them.

Some of our sponsors also sell sulcata hatchlings.

 

[BeeBee*BeeLeaves]

Buy from a person who is on this forum actively because our members rock, and keep learning and sharing, and have made sure that those crucial first days from hatching, those very, very crucial days, baby is hydrated and warm and not eating things that may impact them later. Some breeders do not go the distance and the babies suffer. I realize it might be "nature" but 9 out of 10 times I am willing to bet that the babies start life out so dry that it impacts their development from day number one.

kanieto, you came to right place to learn and to be a better keeper so that your new sulcata lives long and thrives! And remember, hot and humid = healthy and happy! Yay! : )

 

[Tom]

This is not a stupid question at all. I only wish you had come here before the first go around.

Read this: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-23493.html It will explain what went wrong and help you learn what questions ask of any breeder you buy from.

Then read this to learn how your set up should be BEFORE you bring another one home: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-79895.html

And here is a sulcata diet sheet so you can start planning ahead for the future: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-76744.html


After all that if you still want one, I have a few babies left for the season that should be ready to go in a month or so. There are several other good sellers here on the forum if you don't want to wait.

 

[diamondbp]

I have few yearling sulcatas available that are rock solid. Just PM me if you're interested

 

[kanieto]

I'm pretty sure our members are trustworthy. Take a look through our 'for sale' section, even through the 'sold' section and see who sells them.

Some of our sponsors also sell sulcata hatchlings.

oh awesome! i didnt even notice that for sell section!

 

[erica anne]

This is not a stupid question at all. I only wish you had come here before the first go around.

Read this: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-23493.html It will explain what went wrong and help you learn what questions ask of any breeder you buy from.

Then read this to learn how your set up should be BEFORE you bring another one home: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-79895.html

And here is a sulcata diet sheet so you can start planning ahead for the future: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-76744.html


After all that if you still want one, I have a few babies left for the season that should be ready to go in a month or so. There are several other good sellers here on the forum if you don't want to wait.

At what age do you feel it is best to sell a hatchling?

 

[Tom]

I like them to double hatching weight which is usually 4-6 weeks. I will sell them to an experienced keeper sooner than that though.