Goodbye to the World’s Most Beloved Tortoises?!
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- Опубликовано: 7 фев 2025
- #turtle #tortoise #gardenstatetortoise
Have Russian tortoises been banned? As one of the most beloved tortoise species, will they ever be sent here again and how will this affect the pet trade? Find some answers in this video and learn more at the link below.
RUSSIAN TORTOISE BAN LINK:
🐢 rst.cites.org/...
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Who is Garden State Tortoise? 🧐
However you made it here, thank you and welcome to Garden State Tortoise. Garden State Tortoise is home to hundreds of animals from all around the world. We are a family dedicated to adventure, conservation of wildlife, and all things nature. We are a reptile rescue and breeding facility for more than ten years, offering refuge to those who need it, and working everyday to protect the beautiful world of reptiles in any way we can. Here on our RUclips channel you will be able to join us on our animal adventures while learning how to care for, protect, properly identify, feed and even breed many species of turtle, tortoise, snake and lizard. We even work with frogs and salamanders! We hope you enjoy our videos and help us share them with the world so we can continue to educate people of all ages about herpetology.
Chris and Casey Leone
So, what do you think about this Russian tortoise ban? 🤔
I have one pair of Russian tortoise❤
I think it's a double edged sword like you explained- while it will encourage some people to start CB them, it will also encourage those that live in their natural range to poach them with their price increasing. Off topic, how deep would you suggest putting a wall/barrier into the ground for a Russian? I live in Wisconsin and have a small group that I'd like to keep outside during the warmer months (unless you think they'd be able to safely brumate outside?)
Do you think more people getting into Russian tortoise breeding in the US would help wild populations?
I’ve considered starting but I worry that I would be adding to a problem rather than helping wild populations
@@ericarichardson2983there’s so many here in the states it could only help. They along with eastern Germans are at every reptile expo I’ve been too but the more the better for trade
A disaster for the hobby.
When I went to my first reptile show, I asked each vendor with Russian tortoises if they were captive bred or wild caught. They all said wild caught and then would say otherwise the price would be higher. While I appreciated their honesty, some things are more important than their cost.
Agreed
Totally agree ❤
I stopped going to shows. I'd rather research who I'm getting from, and have everything ready to go. Aside from having a prearranged deal with a vendor shows are just kind of not the best way to go about it. There are a lot of things that get overlooked at these shows and with the various vendors at these shows, and the animals some of them bring. I'd rather buy from someone who isn't taking their animals to a show every weekend. Those show organizers don't have time to go around and look at every animal. There's basically only one show I would consider a decent show.
Honestly I heard you can get captive bred tadpoles even some frogs that are really rare like rain frogs
I'm actually glad they've been banned from export! There are so many tortoises out there in need of rescue! These animals live for such a long time and often people don't understand what they're getting into and husbandry out there is often not great! It's so sad when these beings are taken out of the wild, out of their natural habitat, out of everything that they know and placed in a small enclosure to live out the rest of their lives! There are so many tortoise rescues that are overwhelmed. Baby steps as long as it's moving forward toward conservation and being responsible and conscientious as an caregiver.
It’s very true but there absolutely needs to be a separation between captive bred and wild caught. Can’t punish the good with the bad but regulation is necessary.
I'll never forget the first time I saw a turtle as a kid. Still my favorite reptile, they're amazing animals.
I always watch your Sunday video with my little western Hermann’s tortoise that I got from you. I think he enjoys listening to your voice, because he stays still and watches with me. I believe it reminds him of home ❤
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I watch RUclips w/ my tortie too! Some things really do grab her attn!
I recently got a Russian tortoise from a locally owned pet store. The employee told me they were captive bred, but did not present proof or a pedigree to prove it. Is there a way to tell if he is actually captive bred or wild caught? He's very friendly and does not tuck his head when I interact with him. He even likes it when I stroke his head and he allows me to hand feed him. I will even place him in a blanket on my chest and gently pet him until he falls asleep. I was not expecting a tortoise to be this calm.
I never knew they were so cuddly either until I got my boy. He's the same with pets, snuggles and hand feeding 😊
I love the way you make every opportunity into a teaching moment. It's so great❤
Thanks so much! I appreciate that!
Thank you for all of the updates and that is really cool how the egg size difference goes
Glad you caught that! 🐢
Yay I’m so glad they will no longer be exported, I have 2 boy Russian tortoises who are 5 they were captive bred in my own country (UK), I got them as hatchlings, they are one of my favourite species and I love them so much.
So many emotions here. 1. I'm so pleased about the ban as it pertains to the of the wild population. They are there, in that climate, naturally, for a purpose and humans have no business removing them.
2. The sadness is overwhelming when learning that ANY creature has been abandoned in a situation where they had little chance of survival. Thank you for them.
3. Guilt, I wanted a Russian SO BADLY I went ahead and purchased one from a local shop. Did I buy a captive bred or an import?
4. Am I irresponsible by not having an outdoor enclosure for him even though I live in a VERY cold environment in NY ?
Don’t beat yourself up over it. This kind of information is rarely available to the general public. It’s one of the many reasons why our channel exists. Regardless of what your Russian is originally, you’re doing good for it. They are an extremely cold tolerant species so would absolutely recommend an outdoor pen even in NY if you can do it.
Chris & Casey 🐢❤️
Thank you for the updates on the missing Turtle 🐢 & Timbos 🥚 bound issues. I'm still worried about both of them. But you know better than I do how about whether they can make it or not. I'm very happy that the foreign government has stopped all exports on those types of Turtles. It seems like a win for Turtle advocates. Maybe other governments & countries over there will follow suit. And we can finally stop the illegal Turtle trade For All times.Thank you again for what you do for the community of Turtle/Tortoises 🐢🥚 protection & education. Love you both ❤️😘
Thank you! I do feel the two of them will be ok. 🙌🏻
I would like to hear about Lucky the elongated tortoise that you got as a rescue. He was such a personal feel to his personality. He seemed to enjoy humans.
My Sliders are 18. I am thankful for them.
Thanks for the updates and new CITES information on the Russian Tortoise! Keep up the great work Chris and Casey!🐢
Our pleasure!
Thanks!
THANK YOU!
Really glad cites has taken action. Pet tortoises (like all pet animals) should not be exported without individual applications.
I always learn something new from your videos. Such high-quality Content and education ❤ How is the little Cow doing?
Awe! The round pancakes are adorable. I'm not a reptile person, but tortoises are adorable to me.
Such cool animals. Thank you for these videos. I’m way too old to get a pet tortoise so I enjoy vicariously.
I have a female Horsefield that was a rescue. She had been attacked by a dog and has the war wounds to prove it
Great and informative video, and thank you so much for clarifying the ethics of farm raised, captive bred, and wild caught. So many people don't understand what farm-raised is. Beautiful little juvie Russian tort, and so thank you for being so strongly ethical!
I have never seen a Red Eared Slider that BIG!! 😮❤ She's gorgeous.
Mi
Turtles & Tortoises are so cute❤Especially BABIES💜😍
I am glad you updated the Chinese box turtle! I had been wondering
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I always wanted one of these, also please bring back the Otis plush!
I would wish that all creatures captured in the wild for the pet trade or food could be stopped. Many people buy Tortoises and turtles and when they get to large or gnarly they release them. I had a friend here in Canada who owned two Russian tortoises and was shocked when he told me he had gotten tired of them so he set them free in the bush with winter closing in. I was very upset, but won’t get into that, he told me where he released them and I spent several days, hours on end looking for them but had no luck. Why do people do stupid things.
Someone is breeding Russian Tortoises here in Mexico. (Pretty sure it is the same guy that sells almost all the Sulcatas here too!) The babies are tiny and perfect. I never worried about my Russians in SC. Year round outside, but just got really acclimated as I was retiring and leaving to Mexico. The entire group are happy in SOCAL now. (3.9!)
Always such kismet with the timing of videos. Just happen to be taking on a rescue Russian tortoise later today.
Hope everything goes well with the rescue!
My daughter wants a turtle, so here I am going down the tortoise rabbit hole to learn all the things before we get one. How do you keep them outside during the winter? We live in Indiana and it gets below zero. We definitely have the space outside, but I don’t want them to freeze to death
I see so many Russians for rehoming on Craigslist, etc. - hopefully the price increase will keep some people from getting them, and that those who want them will go to breeders or rescues ❤️
I always look forward to GST Sunday!
🙌🏻🐢 ☕️
Definitely makes Sundays a lot more enjoyable!
Sunday is extra special when there is a Tortoise vid -❤
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Rescued Russians ❤❤ our old man is just amazing, and can’t imagine our family without our grumpy! We know he’s at least 26 (we can trace ownership) and love seeing these two old men!
Red foot and Russians in our house!
Awesome!!😎
I have bought an russian tortoise a month ago, he is a year old and I know for sure he is not wild caught, so that defenetly makes me feel way better about getting one. I also do not have the problems of that they can have many possibility's of them already being sick.
Thank you for all the updates. The Russian Tortoises have found the best place to live out their days. I am looking forward to the video from your visit to Michigan.
Have you ever thought about getting an underwater drone with a camera so you can see what’s going on down there and you could get some interesting shots from the turtles perspective
We’ve actually done it many times!
@ ok
I would love a massive rescue tortoise farm that ever existed ❤🐢
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Not sure the best place to reach out. But I just recently acquired another sulcata around 6-7 months old, about the same as mine now. But it is not near the size as mine. Only about 59g. Just wondering if it will be fine once I have it in proper conditions for long enough. Still eating, moving, alert, eyes look fine no soft shell
I have a friend who worked on that CITES policy modification. 😊😊😊😊I’m curious to see what the reptile community is going to settle on thinking about it.
thank you so much to update us about that chinese box turtle.
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Wishing that you find her okay. 🙏❤️
When I was a kid I got my first 2 Russian tortoises from Petco and I will never buy any pets from Petco or pet smart anymore.
Praying you guys find your Boxie!
Thank you!
3:24 Riight next to your eyes in the background - A little buddy is watching!
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OR, higher prices will lead to more breeders making the effort to captive breed them.
Best wishes for 2025. Health and prosperity to you. Thanks for the beautiful work you do for all these magnificent animals.
I'm patiently waiting for spring to allow the pardalis tortoises out. Here in the north of France, temperatures are still below 5 degrees Celsius.
Wow! Thank you so much and good luck with your pardalis!
I Love my Russian tortoise so much ❤he’s got such an amazing character
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Same. Mine is called Tinsel. He is such a cute character. I come home and he will sit on a high point of his soil table and watch me until we feed him. If we don’t he starts scratching the side to get his way. 😂
Tinsel is a really cool name! Mine is called Albie and he bulldozes and scratches to get his own way as well😂 So cute🥹❤️
On christmas a family member if a neighbor knocked on my door. Introduced himself and asked me if id take a turtle his kids werent feeding. He said he was giving it lettuce but didnt think it was doing well, not eating, etc.
Of course i accepted the tortoise. At first in the dark thought it was a small Herman's tortoise but once i had it inside i saw it was a male russian tortoise with what appeared to be some shell damage from being chewed on my a dog. I dont have the full story. The beak was overgrown. Some claws missing, others overgrown. I immediately got the tortoise into some warm water to rehydrate him. Got him warm by putting the barebottom fishtank he came in next to the wood stove. Put a cardboard box hide and coco coir bedding down. Offered spring mix. He didnt eat.
Next day got him soaking again. Offered more food. Again didnt eat. I tried some zuccini and tomato, some banana, some apple, etc. didnt eat.
I trimmed the beak back modestly to where it was at least looking somewhat normal. He still wouldnt eat. I didnt have a spare uvb so i took one off of my redfoot enclosure and ordered a new one. The uvb made all the difference. His appetite returned within hours.
Its clear that he has gone a long time without uvb. His shell is in terrible condition both from being chewed on by some type of animal and in terms of pyramiding. Now he is eating zuchini, yellow squash and spring mix. Pretty much anything is offered is eaten. He's got a fresh uvb bulb. Finally after a full month+ of eating he had his first poop. Can you imagine? So empty for so long that it took a month of refeeding for him to start pooping again.
Please dont give any pet to a child if youre not willing to supervise its care every day.
when i first looked at the title i thought Otis passed away, but i know not enough to have a full say on the russian tortoise ban as of yet
Here in Finland we have at least one breeder who breed's russian tortoises. I have 2 rescue russian tortoises. The best tortoises. 🥰
The little box turtle is on hiatus. Winter reservation in turtle Marriot and is taking no calls or visitors until vacation is over! ❤😳😀🐢🐢🐢🐢😅
😂😂🐢
Wishing you luck 🍀
Thanks Tony!
Hey man, can you give us a guide or a video about egyptian tortoises? i have one, and i want to know more about him.
We have a few videos about them on this channel actually. Search the species specific playlist.👍🏻👍🏻
Egyptian torts are awesome.
A little tortoise came to mind that you made wheels for cos it had something wrong with its back legs
I have a question about Sonoran Desert Tortoise. We adopted 2 this past fall. They had been adopted before for 20 years. They are having a hard time brumating right now because it has been so warm in Phoenix area. When they come out should we be feeding them? Also, we have had a hard time getting them to eat grasses. They want to eat lettuce or dandelion greens. How do we get them to eat the grasses?
Have you ever tried *ahem* “personal massagers” for egg bound tortoises?
Snake Discovery had tried it on one of their snakes successfully. I know the shell poses some difficulty but I’m curious if it could make a difference.
They can generally reach thru and touch above the back legs, etc. But did Snake Discovery use it on an egg bound snake? I thought for some reason it was a male with …a lump? Prolapse? Something like that…
For her to lay eggs maybe try mulch pile
Very interesting about the Russians. One of mine came from Craigslist. The other came from Petsmart. Can’t say I’d be sorry if they stopped selling them. They must teach all of their employees to tell people the tortoises are 1 year old because I hear that time and time again from around the country. My tortoise from there is so old his shell is completely smooth. I knew this when I saw him but other people I’m sure don’t.
They need to vet for and allow for captive bred and stop wild collection. The 4-5” Russians being sold at petsmart are actually 10 or more years of age already.
Heater for cattle troughs
I have two males lol Leonard and Boris lol they’re very chill as VERY resilient 🐢🐢🐢🐢 they dug a hole through their enclosure within a years time or less lol
Wow nice!
Could you please make a video on Western hermanns locales, please?
I’ve never brought any type of tortoises from pet shops my sulcatas come from private breeders❤🐢
🙌🏻💯🐢
Hi I would love to know what you named the new leopard tortoise 🐢
I hope the ban works like they want it to not make them high priced and vulnerable
In regards to the Russian Tortoise:
Just think how the illegal drug, firearm and other rare animal and plant species trade operates.
Their illegal trade will skyrocket!
To be frank, Uzbekistan may have "officially banned" the export , but palms will be greased and I don't think the country is a model of government non corruption.
Please advise if I'm in error.
So in the years to come except more seizures of imports to the USA. The responsible tortoise keepers will have an influx!
Or, Uzbekistan will announce that their Russian Tortoise breeders have magically found the perfect recipe to successfully breed them in captivity.
There’s definitely a good chance you’re right
A you talk about how to feed them?
You scared us with this title "Goodbye to the World’s Most Beloved Tortoises?!" I thought you had to say goodbye to Otis, cos he was sick. 😵💫😵💫😵💫😵💫😵💫😵💫
I live in Israel, and it is illegal to own any tetsudo species. We have Greek tortoises that are all over the place, but it's a felony to even move one from one side of the street to the other. Our adorable little Negev tortoises are critically endangered, mainly due to poaching by Arabs and Bedouin.
Another informative video about Testudo ❤TTPG 2025!
Glad you liked it!🙌🏻🐢
Hi hopefully you will see this I have a male Russian tortoise and I want to adopt another tortoise (from any species) I leave in NJ and I wanted to ask you if you have any available?
are you going to make a video about the pond for the european and the sicilian pond turtle? and when?
Absolutely but not until spring. Right now it’s getting too cold to do anything out there.
@@GardenStateTortoise sounds great! can't wait
Don't know how it will affect us in the UK, there are alot of scammers online and in person. Tortoises/Turtles/Terrapins aren't generally sold in petshops and certainly not petsmart and other big shops. Most available here are captive bred as far as I know.
This is why you should do as much research as possible, it might not be perfect but it’s better than nothing.
Why is the camera angle switched up so often when sitting at the table? I find this very irritating. Thanks for the information about those animals, but would be ncier with a mroe stabel video angle.
It’s called double cameras. I’m sorry you’re having an issue with it but we’re going to have to stick with the majority vote on this one as it’s what works for us and the channel overall. I’d suggest not watching table videos and stick to the ones where we are on our feet going places. Thanks for watching. 🐢
what happens if you already own a captive-bred baby tortoise bred in the U.K.
Please bring back the Otis plush
Red eared slider's are like sabua fare they are everywhere 😂
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Im glad they are protecting them now wild animals should never be captured and sold as pets
All animals including Turtles and Tortoises need to be kept from PetSmart, Petco, and NOW- TRACTOR SUPPLY PET. Less than decent enclosures and care sheets.
Wow I didn’t even know about tractor supply!
@@GardenStateTortoise Yeah, I saw it in New Hampshire about 6 weeks ago - went there to get bird food mix, and yikes. They had several tortoise species over with the chicks; it looked like they were using the same heat lamps for them all. No signs, so I couldn’t see what species they claimed or the price they wanted. Everything was at least 4-6 inches, tho.
That 2 Clowns hahaha
Hello, I wanted to ask for advice on how to increase my baby Redfoot tortoise's appetite. He only eats a little, and I’m a bit concerned. I’d really appreciate any tips.
Increase the humidity to at least 80%. They are a forest dwelling tropical species.
Hii do you sell western hermann tortoise
Well yeah theyre hardy, like their namesake
But without government who would be there to tell the people what pets they can own? 🤪🤡 Conservation is always key, bans are just lazy and reactionary.
Agreed!
There are a lot of wild animals out there that should not be pets. If people are concerned about conservation they should leave them in the wild. One thing I've learned over my lifetime is you cannot trust human beings to act reasonably.
What do you ghibk about the people saying theres as many as 5 different subspecies of russian tortoises? Do you agree or disagree? Do you try to keep these possible subspecies separate like westerns Hermans to keep them pure?
I wanna keep them as pet
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I get the feeling that Uzbekistan is ultimately just going to ignore CITES and go back to doing what it was doing and another thing is that CITES probably doesn’t hold the same weight there as it does here
You very well could be right
@@GardenStateTortoisemaybe, I guess only time will tell 👀
I’ve had my Russian for 30 years. Sampson the Great.
Personally, I don't think anybody should own any type of pet that will potentially outlive the human. Because let's face it, as a human gets older they are unable to look after their pets. That's when bad things happen to the pets that are left behind. There is not always somebody willing to take care of your pet when you can no longer do it.
If you have a plan in a place and are part of a serious network of professionals who dedicate their lives to the animals, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. Animals need homes. Can’t just abandon the notion of keeping them because something could happen. Plan ahead and do right by the animal. Simply turning away from them only adds to the problem.
@@GardenStateTortoise You are doing this as a living. I would say 95% of people by animals on a whim. There are lots of horror stories out there regarding animals. The illegal animal trade is one of the biggest horror stories. It's not about the animals, it's only about the money. Hats off to you and what you do. But like I said, the average person buys an animal without thought to the future of the animal.
@@londoeblackThis is true but within each industry and hobby there is a high volume of dedicated keepers that don’t necessarily have to do it for a living but they are part of the responsible aspect of the community which created a network and a family. You’re dead right that there are horror stories and plenty of bad folks in all of this too but the amount of good as wildlife awareness continues to progress is becoming apparent.
Well if it means they'll live without being coaut the sold as pets im happy. Every animal deserves to live happy in the wild even the little ones
That applies to wild caught animals only. Captive born and bred tortoises do not have a place in that. Not only is it illegal to release captive bred tortoises into nature, it also sentences them to certain, untimely death. Big, big difference here. Wild collection must stop, NOT responsible captive breeding.
I thought the mountain tortoise was the 4th largest tortoise species?
It’s the leopard because on average they will grow larger than mountains.
@ thank you! Cool to know!
If they have these turtles in captivity they should be bred and sold instead of taking them from the wild and it stops these turtles from going extinction and these turtles that are in captivity should be used to keep these turtles for release back into wild
It’s weird. I’ve always, always had a visceral fear of reptiles -- *especially* snakes, but tbh, even lizards, horny toads, iguanas, and sea critters creep me out. No clue why. Yet for some reason, I’ve always LOVED ♥️turtles and ♥️tortoises, which are also reptiles! Makes no sense, but it’s been true as long as I can remember.
I picked up a Female a few days ago from a lady who needed to re-home. In a few weeks, I'll place her with my male and see if they enjoy each other.
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Amazing Folks!
put a heating element in the water it my draw her out??
That actually could be lethal to her this time of year and the other turtles in there
You have different sub species of Russian or locality’s just like your hermmsns?
The Russians we take in are all basically pet store animals with no known locality data.
i cant state how bad it is to release your pets into the wild lol.
ohh so your pet breeder and sell for captive pet trade. now i get it
I'm you big fan bro
Love from Pakistan 🇵🇰
Thank you!
@GardenStateTortoise welcome