Hello! I have a pair of leopard tortoises I need to rehome and need help with setting a fair price for them. I am currently in university and since my living situation keeps changing, my family has been taking care of them for me. They love the tortoises too but I know they can be a burden so I am looking to sell them.
I have had them since 2011 when they were hatchlings (from separate clutches, breeder in central Virginia) and they are now both over 14" long with the female weighing over 16lb. and the male weighing over 20lb. They both have split scutes on their shell, with the female having more split scutes. The female laid a clutch of 12 eggs last year and the male follows her around all spring and summer, luckily we have a large backyard with lots of shrubs for them to get away from each other during this time. I have only recently learned that adult tortoises shouldn't be housed together after doing more research on this forum, which is another reason I am looking to sell them to somebody with more space.
I have seen listings that have sold for -1.1 proven leopard pairs for around $2000, but before I list them for around this price I was wondering:
-Does the males lighter shell make him more desirable?
-Does knowing the animals entire history help increase price?
-Do split scutes affect the price?
-Does the area affect the price? (I'm in SE Virginia and don't want to ship them. Open to delivering them in person.)
-Do zoos ever purchase animals from private pet owners? Virginia Zoo doesn't have any leopard tortoises and their reptile house is only 3 years old which is why I ask.
Thank you for reading and for any help!!
Attached photos: Male on left with lighter shell, female on right. Pretty sure those are 12"x12" tiles to give size reference.
I have had them since 2011 when they were hatchlings (from separate clutches, breeder in central Virginia) and they are now both over 14" long with the female weighing over 16lb. and the male weighing over 20lb. They both have split scutes on their shell, with the female having more split scutes. The female laid a clutch of 12 eggs last year and the male follows her around all spring and summer, luckily we have a large backyard with lots of shrubs for them to get away from each other during this time. I have only recently learned that adult tortoises shouldn't be housed together after doing more research on this forum, which is another reason I am looking to sell them to somebody with more space.
I have seen listings that have sold for -1.1 proven leopard pairs for around $2000, but before I list them for around this price I was wondering:
-Does the males lighter shell make him more desirable?
-Does knowing the animals entire history help increase price?
-Do split scutes affect the price?
-Does the area affect the price? (I'm in SE Virginia and don't want to ship them. Open to delivering them in person.)
-Do zoos ever purchase animals from private pet owners? Virginia Zoo doesn't have any leopard tortoises and their reptile house is only 3 years old which is why I ask.
Thank you for reading and for any help!!
Attached photos: Male on left with lighter shell, female on right. Pretty sure those are 12"x12" tiles to give size reference.
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