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Posted by Accomplice on December 13, 2002 at 15:28:10:
In Reply to: Re: Rambling about prices... posted by sk8r009 on December 13, 2002 at 14:33:02:
I agree about avoiding the encouragement of catching the wild ones. I just spoke with John Richards (www.turtleman.com). He doesn't think he has anything in the 9-12 inch range. He's got some 13-14 inch shell, 25-30 lb. alligator snappers for $275. As you probably know, that size alligator snapper is actually much bigger than what it sounds like. He's selling those for $200 each. They were wild caught just prior to a ban in that state and they've been in captivity for a couple of years. There may be some shorter tales and missing claws in that bunch. He also has some very nice captive-bred, 3-6 year old, 5-8 inchers for $175. He said that those are perfect looking and have a golden hue to them. An8 incher is a nice size for handling and housing.
Its hard to explain but the 6-7 inch alligator snappers I've owned are a completely different proposition than my 19 inch turtle. As far as handling risks/ housing/ feeding/ etc. its like going from owning a house cat to a lion. Picking them up to 'check them out' is no longer much of an option. The smaller, captive-bred turtles I've owned never seemed to mind it or make a big fuss. Not so, the 60 pounder. He wants none of it and I'm not likely to attempt it any more often than is absolutely required.
Having owned hatchlings, yearlings, 7 inchers and now the 19 incher I have to encourage people to picture a 20 inch alligator snapper when somebody wants to sell them a 12 incher and to picture a 30 incher when considering a 20 inch turtle. These things are just that much more massive than they sound. Like I said before, people around here truely freak out when they see my 19 inch turtle. In 'real life' its SO much bigger than the pics I posted make it out to be.
Kevin
:i agree about your turtle, hes perfect. good size and looks like a textbook ally snapper adult. my biggest qualm about getting an adult is i dont want my need for a big snapper to remove one from the wild. right now im looking into one on the classifieds, about 6 inches. id prefer a 12inch ally, but a CB one that size is expensive because someone put in some years raising it.
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