Tonga the Sulcata

Tonga is my new tortoise. I have wanted a sulcata for some time, and even had my doubts and reservations. When it came down to it, I knew I just wouldn't be happy with a leopard tortoise or another larger tortoise species.

I found this 12-13 month old tortoise, and got her/him. The gender is still unknown, but what is known is that this is a nice looking tortoise. The scutes are a little raised, but nothing too terrible. There is an extra scute in the back, but again, nothing to stress. (I have two red foot tortoises with extra scutes).

I will defintely post better and more pictures when I have my camera. For now all I have is the one shot with my cell phone.

sulcata update

So, the husband of Tortles sold all three of their sulcata babies. Oh well. The wife wanted me to get one, but she wasn't at the table when he sold them. I guess it wasn't meant to be. Still time to prepare and find the perfect one.

Maybe an ivory will fall in my lap. Ha.

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selling not buying at a reptile show

I'm supposed to be selling. I've sold one gecko and donated one to the usark auction.

I may come home with most of my animals plus a sulcata tortoise and a Mexican red leg tarantula.

Looks like Dixie here I come. Next week I will be in Birmingham at the Dixie reptile show.

There has been loads of traffic at the Atlanta Repticon, but that's been about it. The vendors around me haven't sold much either. Same with a vendor down the way that I know from the pangea reptile forum. Just appears more walk throughs than buyers. Here's for hoping for a better day tomorrow, selling more products and jewelry and at least a few animals.

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Attending a Reptile Show

If you've never been to a reptile show, you'll want to make sure that you know what to do, how to act, and proper etiquette.

First off, vendors are there not just to make money, but to ensure that their animals and hard work is going to be taken care of in a good home. They expect you to know a little or at least to inquire about care. Many vendors will actually have care sheets available, so if you're considering buying something, it doesn't hurt to ask for a care sheet in case one is available.

Ask questions if you aren't sure.

Personally, I'm not a fan of seeing customers dressed poorly. Now, I'm not saying wear your best Sunday clothes, but dirty, holey, and stained clothes tells me that you do not care about your appearance, and may not care about properly for the animals. That may sound snobby, but I'm sorry. Tee shirt and jeans, I'm all for it, but stained and dirty clothes is a turn off. Luckily, I haven't seen too many people dress this way.

Haggling is ok, but never try to undercut drastically. All vendors price their animals to what they feel is appropriate and what they think the animals are worth, minus a little competitive pricing. If an animal is priced fairly at $25, it may not be the best idea to offer $10 unless you're buying multiples. (By fairly priced, I mean around average for that species and morph.)

I don't mind bargaining and coming up with a price that is fair for both me and you, but I don't want to be taken advantage of.

I don't recommend talking poorly about a vendor's animals in front of the vendor. If you believe that the animals are sick or not taken care of properly, find someone in charge of the event.  If you tell the vendor, it may create a scene, depending on the vendor and his/her defensiveness over the animals.

For the most part, be polite and patient. Sometimes there are a lot of people at one table, so you may have to wait your turn to speak with someone. Treat the vendors and other customers as you want to be treated.