This is another one of those thought-provoking topics that will likely lead to some interesting discussion. Anything to keep those keyboards from getting too cool, right guys? LOL...Anyway, this is somewhat related to the recent threads about reptile laws & regulation, and animal welfare, etc. So here it is...
This is about SULCATA tortoises. The relative ease of breeding and high reproduction rate (i.e. number of eggs/offspring produced from a single laying) obviously results in these animals being readily available to the general public at a relatively low cost. Now I know breeding any tortoise is a tad harder than say breeding cornsnakes or geckos, and I also know the expense of raising baby tortoises is a little more respectively as well. So I'm acutely aware that sulcata breeders aren't exactly millionaires.
But the issue lies (and I think most of you know where I'm going) in the fact that, while many of these baby sulcatas are widely distributed to pet stores, other dealers and vendors, etc., they are still easily acquired by Joe Public for fairly cheap (arguably, only a wildcaught Russian tortoise is cheaper in most cases). Problem? As many of us know, the sulcata is not a beginner animal. They grow relatively rapidly, and can achieve large adult sizes. Furthermore, there is the common issue of poor husbandry information being perpetuated, which results in many premature baby sulcata deaths. Without going into a lot of detail that many of us have discussed at length before, a sulcata is, quite simply, not suitable in proportion to its availability.
On another thread a while back (I forget the title and can't find it), but the main topic was related to rescues and shelters. I think the issue was hinted at, in that there is obviously a initial market for baby sulcatas. Breeders have the incentive to raise large numbers to meet the demand, and allegedly have little trouble selling every baby they have available. The incentive of course is to produce as many, if not more the following season. But there's the problem that 5-10 yrs down the road where, aside from premature deaths due to poor husbandry, unwanted sulcatas are turning up at rescues and Craigslist, etc...even before they've actually reached adult size of 100+ lbs. So what is the market really? Is it from hobbyists who are genuinely committed to acquiring a tortoise that will likely outgrow them, or just impulse purchase from newbs who want a cute baby tortoise?
What can be done about this? I don't have a clear solution, only ideas. One main, re-occurring one is simply for breeders to cut back and not produce as many baby sulcatas each year. Along with limiting the availability to Joe Public, it would also drive up the initial cost of the animals. This could possibly deter any impulse purchases. After all, right now, you may be able get a baby sulcata for less than $75. If they were twice that amount, you may be more inclined to get another species.
The poll is more generalized for anyone to vote. Now, the following questions are specifically for those who breed sulcatas.
1.) On average, how many sulcata babies do you produce each year?
2.) What do you do with most of the offspring (i.e. keep them, adopt them out to friends, or sell them)?
3.) If you do sell the majority of your offspring, who is your primary clientele (i.e. pet stores, other reptile dealers, directly to general public, or an even mixture)?
4.) If/when selling to other vendors (pet stores/dealers), do you provide your care information for your hatchlings for them to pass on to their customers?
5.) Do you feel that perhaps breeding/producing less babies per season would have any real impact on the market for this species, and help keep more babies out of the hands of irresponsible buyers?
6.) Are there any steps or actions you currently take to aid in this issue, and if so, care to share?
This is about SULCATA tortoises. The relative ease of breeding and high reproduction rate (i.e. number of eggs/offspring produced from a single laying) obviously results in these animals being readily available to the general public at a relatively low cost. Now I know breeding any tortoise is a tad harder than say breeding cornsnakes or geckos, and I also know the expense of raising baby tortoises is a little more respectively as well. So I'm acutely aware that sulcata breeders aren't exactly millionaires.
But the issue lies (and I think most of you know where I'm going) in the fact that, while many of these baby sulcatas are widely distributed to pet stores, other dealers and vendors, etc., they are still easily acquired by Joe Public for fairly cheap (arguably, only a wildcaught Russian tortoise is cheaper in most cases). Problem? As many of us know, the sulcata is not a beginner animal. They grow relatively rapidly, and can achieve large adult sizes. Furthermore, there is the common issue of poor husbandry information being perpetuated, which results in many premature baby sulcata deaths. Without going into a lot of detail that many of us have discussed at length before, a sulcata is, quite simply, not suitable in proportion to its availability.
On another thread a while back (I forget the title and can't find it), but the main topic was related to rescues and shelters. I think the issue was hinted at, in that there is obviously a initial market for baby sulcatas. Breeders have the incentive to raise large numbers to meet the demand, and allegedly have little trouble selling every baby they have available. The incentive of course is to produce as many, if not more the following season. But there's the problem that 5-10 yrs down the road where, aside from premature deaths due to poor husbandry, unwanted sulcatas are turning up at rescues and Craigslist, etc...even before they've actually reached adult size of 100+ lbs. So what is the market really? Is it from hobbyists who are genuinely committed to acquiring a tortoise that will likely outgrow them, or just impulse purchase from newbs who want a cute baby tortoise?
What can be done about this? I don't have a clear solution, only ideas. One main, re-occurring one is simply for breeders to cut back and not produce as many baby sulcatas each year. Along with limiting the availability to Joe Public, it would also drive up the initial cost of the animals. This could possibly deter any impulse purchases. After all, right now, you may be able get a baby sulcata for less than $75. If they were twice that amount, you may be more inclined to get another species.
The poll is more generalized for anyone to vote. Now, the following questions are specifically for those who breed sulcatas.
1.) On average, how many sulcata babies do you produce each year?
2.) What do you do with most of the offspring (i.e. keep them, adopt them out to friends, or sell them)?
3.) If you do sell the majority of your offspring, who is your primary clientele (i.e. pet stores, other reptile dealers, directly to general public, or an even mixture)?
4.) If/when selling to other vendors (pet stores/dealers), do you provide your care information for your hatchlings for them to pass on to their customers?
5.) Do you feel that perhaps breeding/producing less babies per season would have any real impact on the market for this species, and help keep more babies out of the hands of irresponsible buyers?
6.) Are there any steps or actions you currently take to aid in this issue, and if so, care to share?
