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Okay, I just ordered a new friend for Otis from turtlesale [not reputable].com. I guess "he'll" get here on Thursday. I'm really excited.....I just hope that there's no problems with him!!!!! I tried to get a Rio Grand RES from Turtle Pimp but he's out until July, and his shipping fee is outrageous! So we're getting another regular RES.

I'm wondering if his shipping is outrageous, or proper... I'm always worried of how people ship turts.

The site I used said they package them in a plastic container, and then surround it with wet paper or something to help control the humidity. They guarantee live arrival with a 1 week gaurantee after that. Is that the proper way for shipping? I think the other guy did them the same. I think I saw somewhere on here that other people have used this same breeder with much success.

I would ask them if they guarantee "Healthy" arrival

They do say that all turtles are hand picked and inspected and are guaranteed to arrive alive, healthy, and active. Seeing as I bought the last 2 at a souvenir shop under horrible living conditions, I would assume that one coming from a breeder would be healthier!

I dont think I'd get a mail order turt... just the idea of shipping a turt in a tub of water turns me off

I guess some of us cajuns "don't know no better."

they don't ship them in water. They're packed nice and cozy in a container with wet paper towels.

nice how there's 2 lagoons on the home page.

did you read their legal section? i would never buy from them or anyone else who sells them online.

Like I said, "us cajuns don't know no better." I would rather buy one off the interent than catch a wild one (been there, done that) who is not happy in captivity at all.

Yes, I read their legal section. So did my husband who is an attorney. He felt that they were 100% justified in everything they said in order to cover their a#$ in case anyone ever decided to sue. He sees way too many law suits flying around that really are not neccessary, and because of that, corporations (or whoever) have to say things like that "just in case." Kind of like the hot coffee thing at McDonalds. Every idiot and their mother knows the coffee is HOT. But because of some crazy person, they now have to STATE that it's HOT!

why not just buy one in a local pet store?

They haven't sold them here in pet stores in years. Petco was the first to get some, and they were about 6", but they didn't look all that healthy. Plus I wanted a hatchling. I was actually shocked to see them at Petco, and I already had purchased Otis in FL when I found them there.

If it were me, I'd try to take one from a turtle rehoming/rescue agency.

I didn't even know about any of these options until AFTER I got Otis. I then figured for health reasons, I would be better off getting one from a breeder. That is what was actually reccomended to me. Please keep in mind that I'm new to this and am obviously pretty ignorant about RES, their care, and the best way to acquire them. I'm just doing what I thought was best, but what's done is done.

No criticism intended, NewTurtleMom. Just something to consider as an option. Turtles from reputable agencies are healthy, and I've heard of some places working with new owners to make sure the turtle is getting the best care possible.