Re: Gophers

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Posted by Tom on February 28, 2001 at 17:38:11:

In Reply to: Re: Gophers posted by Heather on February 26, 2001 at 18:45:48:

Technically, gopher tortoises can be bought and sold. If the tortoises are legally obtained such as purchased prior to being protected either by state or federal law, then their offspring can be bought and sold. If the tortoises were originally obtained in either Florida of Georgia, states in which gophers are not protected federally, then there is no federal protection for these tortoises, and as far as I can determine, they can be bought and sold with no need to have a federal permit.

The key to this, is to have the documentation to support the legality of having the tortoises. Another twist is the occassional cross between a desert tortoise and texas tortoise. These tortoises because they are not true Desert tortoises are not federally protected, and probably not state protected.

As my earlier email stated I'm interested in obtaining gopher tortoises, either by adoption or I'm willing to pay a reasonable fee, but they must be legal and you must have the proper documentation (where you obtained them).

One last question for the group, if you adopt a pair of gopher tortoises and live in a state with no laws protecting these tortoises because the are not naturally foung there, and the tortoises produce offspring can you sell them? Tom

: You can only adopt them - they can't be bought or sold.
: Check with fish and game in your state for the legalities of possessing them.
: You could contact a turtle or tortoise club about adoption.

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: Technically, gopher tortoises can be bought and sold. If the tortoises are legally obtained such as purchased prior to being protected either by state or federal law, then their offspring can be bought and sold. If the tortoises were originally obtained in either Florida of Georgia, states in which gophers are not protected federally, then there is no federal protection for these tortoises, and as far as I can determine, they can be bought and sold with no need to have a federal permit. : The key to this, is to have the documentation to support the legality of having the tortoises. Another twist is the occassional cross between a desert tortoise and texas tortoise. These tortoises because they are not true Desert tortoises are not federally protected, and probably not state protected. : As my earlier email stated I'm interested in obtaining gopher tortoises, either by adoption or I'm willing to pay a reasonable fee, but they must be legal and you must have the proper documentation (where you obtained them). : One last question for the group, if you adopt a pair of gopher tortoises and live in a state with no laws protecting these tortoises because the are not naturally foung there, and the tortoises produce offspring can you sell them? Tom : : : You can only adopt them - they can't be bought or sold. : : Check with fish and game in your state for the legalities of possessing them. : : You could contact a turtle or tortoise club about adoption.

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