i have been trying to find red footed tortoises for ages now with no luck apart from some people really far from me, i tried reptile taxi but got quoted £150 for it ! in you opinion if the tortoise is taken straight to the vet when purchased and screened for all the possible nasties is a rep shop one gunna be that bad cuz there is one near me that can get them most of the time and he says that they are cb but he didnt mention ukcb! What are your thoughts pro's?

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boa constrictor imperator 0.1.0 normal leopard gecko 1.0.1
Hypo Carrot Tail leopard gecko 1.1.0 Cats 1.1.0
Bearded Dragons 1.1.0
wish list
Black And White Argentinian Tegu 0.1.0
boa constrictor imperator 1.0.0

If you have tried everywhere and the shop is a good knowledgeable and clean one that looks after the animals well and you can take it for a check up at the vets when you get it then I don't see a problem personally.Just make sure that the redfoots look healthy and happy and active with no signs of illness or problems.

My view is if you go to a shop and it's clean and the staff are well informed and the animal is healthy then go for it!! A vet check up is never a bad idea.

Or the other point of view

If you buy from a pet shop then the money you pay will go back into buying a few more wild caught tortoises.

Where are you?

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in lymington as south as you can go opposite the isle of white!

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boa constrictor imperator 0.1.0 normal leopard gecko 1.0.1
Hypo Carrot Tail leopard gecko 1.1.0 Cats 1.1.0
Bearded Dragons 1.1.0
wish list
Black And White Argentinian Tegu 0.1.0
boa constrictor imperator 1.0.0

Hi

We never set out to become tortoise breeders, got one, got another etc and there you are. So, in the interests of full disclosure all of our redfoots came from reptile shops. We now have ukcb ones but I couldn't say where the others originated. They were all perfectly healthy but only one was bought as a baby. I know that two of the others had been in the UK for some time (they'd come from people who had tried to breed them and given up - 2 separate instances).

Its down to how you feel about the shop to be honest. I suspect there are more redfoot breeders around than we know about but it is most likely (almost certain?) that they are going to be imports. If the shop say they are ukcb, then they should know who by. You know a healthy animal when you see one. Active, eating, good weight, bright eyes etc. Do you trust their snake knowledge (being a snake keeper). Its down to instinct is all I can say.

I know you've tried to search out the uk bred ones and the locations just aren't working. Are there any local reptile groups you can contact to see if there is anyone closer?

ya i have tried every where! the only person quite close is a herman tortoise breeder but she is set on a red foot!

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boa constrictor imperator 0.1.0 normal leopard gecko 1.0.1
Hypo Carrot Tail leopard gecko 1.1.0 Cats 1.1.0
Bearded Dragons 1.1.0
wish list
Black And White Argentinian Tegu 0.1.0
boa constrictor imperator 1.0.0

I can always tell...

Sometimes when I sell a tortoise I tell the person... you cannot have just one... it is an addiction... obcession...

My point wasn't that one is never enough. My point was that I would be rather hypocritical saying 'never buy from any reptile specialist'. If you have tried all other avenues and you are happy with the shop - ultimatley its up to a persons judgement.