How Much?

[Tropical Torts]

Hello everybody, I have been researching stars as much as my schedule will allow with the intent of possibly purchasing one or two at the Daytona Reptile Show this August. Still doing my research and planning, but I am curious about what a good price for one of these guys would be? I have seen ads from $300-$1,500 and everywhere in between!

With the prices I have seen I have already started putting money away for ! So What do you guys normally pay for a good hatchling from a reputable dealer? Also, any recommendations of breeders?

Thanks!

 

[N2TORTS]

John .... depends on what kind of " star" your talking about. Also, real big difference between 2-3 months old and 9-12.

JD~

 

[wildak]

I would say an AVERAGE of:
- Mainland Indian Star 2 months $400
- Sri Lankan $500
- Burmese $1,000 Studbook
Some top end ones of high yellows or nice markings go for a lot more.
But I have been seeing a downward trend with the economy as with many others.
Get them from a breeder if you can instead of ones that have been flown around the country 6 times in two months going from person to person ( Stars don't do as well as some with constant change I found ).

 

[Tom]

To add to wildak's post, I recently saw burmese stars, which are a totally different species than the other stars, for $700 at a show. They were six months old and I did not ask if they were studbook animals, but they probably were not.

 

[wildak]

-Upscale reptiles has nice Sri Lankans.
-I know of a Burmese breeder but have to ask before I throw his name out there.
-There's a guy in NY that breeds really nice high yellow Sri Lankans. Larry I think???? Never bought from him myself but have seen lots.

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That's a really good price either way Tom. I seen them for 7 one other time but never lower than that.

 

[Tropical Torts]

John .... depends on what kind of " star" your talking about. Also, real big difference between 2-3 months old and 9-12.

JD~

I probably can't afford a Burmese, so it would be a Sri Lankan. What is the real difference between 2-3 months old and 9-12 besides age and size?

---

I would say an AVERAGE of:
- Mainland Indian Star 2 months $400
- Sri Lankan $500
- Burmese $1,000 Studbook
Some top end ones of high yellows or nice markings go for a lot more.
But I have been seeing a downward trend with the economy as with many others.
Get them from a breeder if you can instead of ones that have been flown around the country 6 times in two months going from person to person ( Stars don't do as well as some with constant change I found ).

Thanks wildak, this helps. One question though, I have never really heard of mainland stars, are they really much different from sri lankans? I have only seen info and ads for either sri lankans or burmese.

 

[CLMoss]

Larry has a few beautiful SL Star hatchling. You should get a quote from him.

 

[wildak]

Mainland Stars are either listed as such or just listed as Indian Stars.
There's Northern and Southern Mainlands with some differances.
All mainland and Sri Lankan Stars are still considered the same species they just have geographical differances that allowed them to evolve to fit their enviroments.

There's a book you should definately get for under $15. Star Tortoises by Jerry Fife. It's everywhere online, it will give you a better understanding of all the differances, care and breeding. They are more difficult than a lot of tortoises many would say.

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As far as size and age I prefer to get them younger so I know they have had proper care from the beginning. I had purchased some older ones in the past that have had a questionable history.

Good Luck

 

[Tropical Torts]

Mainland Stars are either listed as such or just listed as Indian Stars.
There's Northern and Southern Mainlands with some differances.
All mainland and Sri Lankan Stars are still considered the same species they just have geographical differances that allowed them to evolve to fit their enviroments.

There's a book you should definately get for under $15. Star Tortoises by Jerry Fife. It's everywhere online, it will give you a better understanding of all the differances, care and breeding. They are more difficult than a lot of tortoises many would say.

---

As far as size and age I prefer to get them younger so I know they have had proper care from the beginning. I had purchased some older ones in the past that have had a questionable history.

Good Luck

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Thanks for the help, I plan on buying the book soon.

 

[Tropical Torts]

I just bought the book. I'm now one step closer!!

 

[Neal]

Congrats, indian stars were one of the first tortoises that got us started and we have grown to really love them. They are more prone to respiratory infections than other types of tortoises it seems, but otherwise they can adapt to different climates. They do have a bad rap for being a little shy, but just like any tortoise there are shy ones and their are personable ones. Or maybe I'm just the weird one who thinks all tortoises have personality...I am an accountant and people say accountant's are boring...

$300 - $500 is what you will typically see them for. We had a pretty bad year with the stars, only three hatchlings. I've been speaking with two other breeders and it seems like it was a bad year for them too so there is a chance you will see more for sale on the higher end of the price spectrum.

 

[bigbeaks]

I have a Sri lankan star from tortoisesupply.com that I purchased in December last year. She is absolutely beautiful and has always been very heathy and a wonderful eater.

 

[Tropical Torts]

Congrats, indian stars were one of the first tortoises that got us started and we have grown to really love them. They are more prone to respiratory infections than other types of tortoises it seems, but otherwise they can adapt to different climates. They do have a bad rap for being a little shy, but just like any tortoise there are shy ones and their are personable ones. Or maybe I'm just the weird one who thinks all tortoises have personality...I am an accountant and people say accountant's are boring...

$300 - $500 is what you will typically see them for. We had a pretty bad year with the stars, only three hatchlings. I've been speaking with two other breeders and it seems like it was a bad year for them too so there is a chance you will see more for sale on the higher end of the price spectrum.

Neal you are the most interesting accountant I know!(I dont know any other accountants) Thanks for your input and I agree that every tortoise seems to have their own personality. why do you think this year was a bad year for your stars?

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Also, I have heard that stars are prone to contract respiratory infections. I live in Florida where the climate is moderate to very humid, would this be a problem for a star because I have read its the humidity which can cause respiratory infections.

 

[Neal]

I believe there are a few indian and sri lanka star breeders in Florida that do quite well, so the high humidity is manageable. I would imagine you would need to pay attention to your temperatures a lot more.

Not sure what it was such a bad year, could have been a combination of a lot of things. In the wild, their whole breeding cycle is dependent on the monsoon, which we didn't have much of a monsoon this year, only big dust storms. We've also had a warmer than normal winter...so who knows how much, if at all, those affected the egg laying cycles. There is a chance I missed a nest or two, but I probably won't find out for a few more weeks.

 

[jobeanator]

larry is a great guy to work with and a fantastic breeder, i have a sri lankan star from him and hes gorgeous ive have him for a year and a half

 

[Tropical Torts]

Thanks Neal! I just started the Star book; its fascinating and Im learning alot about their requirements.