PURCHASE PREFERENCE

[ALDABRAMAN]

When those that buy a new hatchling torotise, what are your preferences with the age?, And why?

When I wanted a new hatchling, I would prefer around the 6 month mark for a good start.

As a breeder, I have noticed for the past two years we would have more of a demand for slightly older tortoise hatchlings from our regular customers.

Thanks for participating, just curious and encourage all members that read this forum to vote. Thank you, Greg.

 

[Shelly]

BBBBBB

 

[Tom]

This depends on what species I'm buying and who from. If I was buying an Aldabra from you, Greg, really any age would be fine with me. I'd probably go with one 6 months to a year because I don't think me, or anyone else, can start them better than you. For a sulcata or a leopard, most breeders (I said most, not ALL) keep them too dry and rely too much on artificial UV, in my opinion. In that case I'd want to get them in my hands ASAP.

I hope that was diplomatic enough.

 

[Mao Senpai]

There's Risk in either a yearling or fresh hatchling.... with fresh hatchling they are susceptible to harm or bad care etc. While the yearling or what not have already made it over that hump. However a fresh hatchling in the right hands which I prefer lets me know it will be taken cared of properly and no pyramiding and such... my leopards are a good example, the big one is pyramided as I got it that way, the two babies are smooth ~ not to mention it's exciting to see them grow.

 

[GBtortoises]

I prefer to get tortoises from others as young as possible after their yolk sacs are absorbed and healed. I believe in doing this to acclimate them to their permanent environment rather than them becoming established in one environment only to move them to what may be a completely different one. I also don't think this is crucial, but preferred.

 

[dmarcus]

I would prefer to get my hatchling within the first couple of months that way I have more of a roll in its development from a hatchling to an adult.

 

[HarleyK]

I picked HATCHLING, 30 DAYS TO 1 YEAR OLD. That's what I did and generally speaking it's probably less risky if one buys a well established tort. I would however consider purchasing a hatchling newbourn if it is much cheaper and from a reputable breeder. I think it really comes down to how knowledgeable someone is about tortoises....meaning someone with tortoises already will be more likely to buy a subadult for their colony, whereas a newbie would probably go for the hatchling because they are cute.

Now that I have a hatchling I wouldnt mind getting a subadult later on in the future.

 

[Badgemash]

Diplomatic, and also exactly what I was thinking.

This depends on what species I'm buying and who from. If I was buying an Aldabra from you, Greg, really any age would be fine with me. I'd probably go with one 6 months to a year because I don't think me, or anyone else, can start them better than you. For a sulcata or a leopard, most breeders (I said most, not ALL) keep them too dry and rely too much on artificial UV, in my opinion. In that case I'd want to get them in my hands ASAP.

I hope that was diplomatic enough.

 

[Cameron]

Diplomatic, and also exactly what I was thinking.

This depends on what species I'm buying and who from. If I was buying an Aldabra from you, Greg, really any age would be fine with me. I'd probably go with one 6 months to a year because I don't think me, or anyone else, can start them better than you. For a sulcata or a leopard, most breeders (I said most, not ALL) keep them too dry and rely too much on artificial UV, in my opinion. In that case I'd want to get them in my hands ASAP.

I hope that was diplomatic enough.

+ 1 here for me too.

 

[Terry Allan Hall]

Prefer getting one about a year, or just a bit more, in age, but only from someone who practices good husbandry...30 days to a year would be my 2nd choice.

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

At least 30 days to one year seems to be the favorite so far, interesting!

 

[DeanS]

Acquiring as hatchlings, you can control their biome and growth through ALL stages of life. It's much easier to get it right from the start than to try and correct someone else's mistakes

---

This depends on what species I'm buying and who from. If I was buying an Aldabra from you, Greg, really any age would be fine with me. I'd probably go with one 6 months to a year because I don't think me, or anyone else, can start them better than you.

Excellent point! Most breeders had no clue of the proper way to raise babies, so all that was available were pyramided, dehydrated messes. It seems now that more and more breeders are "catching up"...can't really say that I know of ANY bad breeders on the forum

 

[Doobie]

I would prefer to get tortoises over one year old.
If the tortoise is too young, I don't think I have enough experience to take care of it.
In my opinion, the bigger you get, the stronger you get.

 

[Edna]

I wasn't planning to vote at all, but recent events made me come back to this thread. I think if I were the SELLER my worst nightmare would be to sell a baby tortoise to someone who is ill-prepared on many levels, then have that person essentially kill the baby, and make that my problem by publicly blaming me. How do sellers protect themselves from that? Is there an age beyond which torts are a little more fool-proof? I guess, Greg, going back to your shipping question, at least if someone picks up the tortoise personally, both seller and buyer can agree that at the moment of purchase the tortoise is in good (excellent, perfect, wonderful) condition.
I voted for B, because I've been very happy with the torts I've purchased in that age class.

 

[Jacqui]

I have always preferred adults to babies myself, but if I were going with a hatchling I usually like mine well started. It would depend however on who I am buying the animal from, what species it is, and if it was something I was getting and wanting to raise from as young as possible to see how under my living conditions the shell would turn out.

 

[N2TORTS]

This depends on what species I'm buying and who from. If I was buying an Aldabra from you, Greg, really any age would be fine with me. I'd probably go with one 6 months to a year because I don't think me, or anyone else, can start them better than you. For a sulcata or a leopard, most breeders (I said most, not ALL) keep them too dry and rely too much on artificial UV, in my opinion. In that case I'd want to get them in my hands ASAP.

I hope that was diplomatic enough.

Tom ..... ya took the words right out of my mouth! WELL SAID!

JD~

 

[philthyturtle]

i chose the 2nd answer because to me a hatchling that past the first month or longer is more likely to survive. Especially if taken from a good breeder.

 

[Meg90]

I chose the second option, only because its pretty unlikely to find hatchlings younger than that, that people are willing to ship. Anouk was 6 months old when I got her, because I had to wait for the state to thaw out before she could be shipped, but Novalee my Golden Greek Cross was only about 4 1/2 weeks old when she arrived, and I have to say, I really enjoyed having her so young. She's from EgyptianDan here on the forums.

It lends a great feeling of accomplishment when you grow a tortoise from that age and size and they reach adulthood smooth. It says that your care practices are sound, for one.

I do try to buy younger now that I have a few years of experience under my belt. Had you offered me a two week old tortoise when I was starting out, and I think I would have declined, or been such a worried mother hen, I'd be gray already