Where and how to sell a tortoise

Question
QUESTION: Hi. I have an 8-9 inch male Yellow-footed Tortoise and I'm trying to find a good home for him. I thought I could take care of him, but he just lays in a corner all day. So, I want someone who knows what their doing and loves tortoises to have him. I don't know how much to sell him for or where to sell him. He's got a 4ftx4ft wood cage that he lives in with a log, 2 trees, a few vines, 2 bags of floor bedding, and a pool. Would you happen to know where and how much that size and breed of tortoise go for?

ANSWER: I have seen them available for sale for anything from $75-350.

Price goes up for:
- known good breeder
- smooth shell, no pyramiding
- bright or unusual colors

Price goes down for:
- pyramided shell
- signs of illness or problems (most purchases will want good photos before buying)
- lack of good background info. Most buyers will want a history- when and where purchased, growth and eating history, any medical records, etc. The more info, the better.

How you advertise it will depend on how much you want, if you are willing to ship, and if there are people nearby who are interested. Some on-line options are-
- craigslist.com
- kingsnake.com
- or the forums at places like http://www.turtleforum.com

If you do not wish to ship and live in a place the tortoises can live outside (warm and humid most of the year), you can put ads up in local pet shops or the local herpetological society.

If you place an ad, you will probably get a lot of responses from people looking to score a cheap tortoise. I get a note like 'how can I get a free or low cost tortoise in [city name here]' about every week. Some of these will claim to be rehabbers or rescues. They are not automatically bad people, just be aware they are out there.

If you DO decide to give it to a good home, there are a lot of good people all over, and many states have some sort of turtle or reptile club that can serve as a starting point.

I'd be interested in it as well if you get to the point of just wanting a good home for it. Generally, I reimburse for shipping and packing, or gas if we meet somewhere (usually $50-75.) I can offer it a good home, but I cannot offer it any breeding opportunities yet.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Well...it depends on where you live. I might be able to ship or take him to you. But if you want him, and you give him a good home, you can have him. I found him in the middle of the road in our complex in fall. He was only 5in. long then. He loves tomatoes, bananas, peaches, or anything sweet! He's got a major sweet tooth....or beak. He has never bit anything but his food, and he loves to cuddle. Strange huh? He likes to be held. The only payment I would need is for the cage and supplies, seeing as I didn't buy him. What do you think?
ANSWER: I'm in Omaha NE, and will travel several hours to meet you, either at your place or meeting part way. If you drive as well, I can usually pay for part of your gas.

If shipped, I would reimburse for the packing and shipping costs (most of the overnight companies can handle reptiles and have good info on how to pack them on-line. It is not very difficult this time of year for a tortoise.)

I would reimburse for at least some of the cost of recently purchased supplies as well. If we meet, I'll buy them from you. If you ship, you can keep the supplies for another project or sell them again at a garage sale. If you can shoot me a list of the supplies and desired price I will get to work on that part.

Not to try to apply pressure, but the upcoming Labor Day weekend would be a great time for me to travel (my normal Saturday 2nd job is off) if that is what we want to do.

I'll also see if I can put together a good shipping how-to if you decide to go that way.

I fully understand that there is no commitment on your part yet- you are free to do with the tortoise what you wish, so if I don't hear back from you, that is OK. No pressure.
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Added 8-27-07

Just FYI- my email is madkins007@cox.net.

If you wish to do this, I would appreciate a couple of photos, and any info you have on the torotise, such as name, cares, etc.

Thanks again.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Well, I know that you really would like him, but I also have other prospects that are very interested in him as well. Let me talk with them before I make my decision.

Answer
That's OK. Let me know if you want habitat photos or anything.

You can see some of my photos at http://s141.photobucket.com/albums/r45/madkins007/ There are no shots of the outdoor pen, but that is going to get enlarged and renovated this fall anyway, and a pair of turtle tables are coming soon.