General Care Discussion :: Should I get this hatchling (pics)

[busywithbeans]

Finally ready to add my future RES hatchling to the brand new tank I've been setting up over the past couple weeks. I had been planning on picking one up at the reptile show in my area last weekend, but they didn't have any. So, I was going to order one from Underground Reptiles to be delivered this weekend. However, I've also been cruising Craigslist in hopes of finding one locally. I came across a guy who has a few of them for sale for $15, but he's being really sketchy on where they came from. He says his friend gave them to him, but I'm pretty sure he's getting them in the wild and trying to sell them. Anyway, one popped up on July 4th, and I've been emailing back and forth with the person. Apparently they won him at a carnival last week for $45, but their apartment building won't let them keep him. Who knows if that's true. My question is: is it better to order a captive bred baby from a breeder? Or does it really not matter where he comes from? If he really did come from a carnival, I highly doubt he's been taken care of even slightly adequately. I guess right now he's in a carrier with no lamp either. How does his shell look to you guys? I notice some slight grey/whitish areas on either side of his belly? Does he look a little "dull" in color or is it just me? As much as I'd love to rescue every turtle, I also want to bring home a healthy one that will flourish. I know how vulnerable the little ones can be, and it worries me that he's already been through the ringer it sounds like. Please help!

[steve]

I would check with any local rescues to see if they have any first. The story does sound sketchy to me too, I would keep looking around.

[busywithbeans]

I would check with any local rescues to see if they have any first. The story does sound sketchy to me too, I would keep looking around.

Thanks as always for your reply Steve; your help and input is much appreciated! Quick follow-up: does he look healthy to you though? I agree the story sounds sketchy, but it's killing me knowing that the poor baby is in a tank with no light, place to bask, etc. Wouldn't this be rescuing him in a way? Or do you think I'm opening up a can of worms so to speak?

I have checked out the local rescues and can't find anything. The shelters here don't have any RES that I can find. Also, I would prefer a hatchling since I would like to raise my turtle from a baby into adulthood.

Thanks again.

[steve]

He looks fine but keep in mind that they will hide any illnesses very well. If you want to rescue it, go ahead... I don't think anyone would have a problem with it. I guess the general problem with getting hatchlings encourages breeders and hunters to continue the trade.

[busywithbeans]

He looks fine but keep in mind that they will hide any illnesses very well. If you want to rescue it, go ahead... I don't think anyone would have a problem with it. I guess the general problem with getting hatchlings encourages breeders and hunters to continue the trade.

So generally speaking, there'd be no real difference between "rescuing" this hatchling vs. ordering one off one of the turtle sites?

[steve]

There is a difference. Like they say, you can't rescue all of them.

[busywithbeans]

There is a difference. Like they say, you can't rescue all of them.

What will the main difference(s) be? If he did come from a carnival, there's really no way to tell if they bought him wholesale from a breeder or caught him from the wild. Even with the most reputable breeders that sell online, I'm still finding reports/reviews of them sending the wrong turtle, having the turtle die two months later, etc. It's a gamble either way, no?

[steve]

It's mainly the ethics involved with supporting the trade.

[theshupirate07]

I told this story in a different topic and I'll give a brief version here. I got Yertle through my boyfriend's mother, who ended up with it when a friend bought her outside of the grocery store. There was this guy selling baby RES for $10 and they were all smaller than 4 inches. I saw him there last summer in the same place, and he tried to get me to buy one.

I agree with Steve, if you feel strongly about the turtle's current conditions and you want to buy it from the Craigslist guy, do it. You've obviously been doing your homework so you know what to look out for, in terms of outside appearances. You never know, you might just be saving that turtle's life.