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This means an import without the paperwork is illegal but if the tortoise has the paperwork then its legal. The only other species of large tortoise that is legal to have as a pet is the aldabras but they are exceptionally hard to find and even harder to care for.
Thank you for turning to to the Tortoise Trust searching information on the availability of tortoises as pets.
Is it legal to have a pet tortoise in the uk. You can purchase tortoises in the UK. With certificates issued by another EU. Member state provided its a Specimen Specific Article 10 Certificate and the specimen has been microchipped.
Popular tortoise breeds kept as pets in the UK include red-footed tortoise yellow-footed tortoise spur-thighed tortoise Hermanns tortoise Indian Star tortoise and Leopard tortoise. Thank you for turning to to the Tortoise Trust searching information on the availability of tortoises as pets. As such they may no longer be imported sold offered for sale or otherwise traded in Trade collecting import and sale of wild tortoises of these species is prohibited totally.
Turtle Tortoise Laws overview in the US Canada UK and Australia Turtle Laws vary by location with some states banning owning a pet turtle or tortoise completely. Turtles and tortoises are probably the two reptiles that just about everyone likes. Both belong to the order of Testudines but in different classification families.
Tortoise ownership and the law Many different species of tortoises are protected by legislation in the UK which monitors the import and ownership of certain breeds that are rare or vulnerable in the wild. Whilst exotic animals are not everyones first choice of pet the demand for them appears to be growing. At the end of 2014 it was reported that reptiles in particular were becoming popular.
In the UK the number of people owning pet snakes lizards turtles and tortoises increased from an estimated 400000 in 2008 to more than one million in. The Russian or Horsefield Tortoise however is still exempt and is also a popular choice as a pet. One of the key things about tortoises is that they have incredibly long lifespans from 50 to over 100 years and this is something you need to consider when making a commitment to this type of pet.
Those who have pet desert tortoises are custodians and do not own the captive desert tortoise. You may also receive a tortoise from another person and register it on the Tortoise Group website to make it legally yours. Those who have pet desert tortoises are custodians and do not own the captive desert tortoise.
The only other species of large tortoise that is legal to have as a pet is the aldabras but they are exceptionally hard to find and even harder to care for. Not to mention the aldabras tortoise can live for well over 200 years. There just isnt enough information out there on how to properly keep such a huge tortoise.
Small tortoises and birds. Birds have been known to take small tortoises. One person in recent years saw her small tortoise being taken by a magpie and had to watch the tort being killed by the bird on a neighbours roof.
It is always wise to have crop net wire mesh or other bird-proof covering for your enclosure. However its perfectly legal to buy captive-bred tortoises in the UK see left for suitable breeds and they remain highly desirable pets. Theyre not particularly cuddly you cant teach them.
We supply Pet shops Garden Centres and the public with FREE advice and of course beautiful tortoises including. Leopards Hermanns Mediterranean Spur thighed Marginated and Indian Stars. Email us for the best trade prices at.
In the uk the law allows captive bred tortoises to be sold with the appropriate species related paperwork. This means an import without the paperwork is illegal but if the tortoise has the paperwork then its legal. Almost forgot here are my three spur thighed tortoises who have paperwork making them legal in the uk.
If you live in the UK with its temperate conditions throughout much of the year and cold wet winters you might be wondering how well a prospective pet tortoise would cope in such conditions. The answer is that it depends on how well you care for them and to some degree which breed of tortoise you select. We strongly recommend you steer clear of Sulcata Tortoises Leopards Red-foots and other large non-hibernating and tropical species as they tend to have special requirements that are difficult to.
Tortoises make very great pets and if you decide to keep them them you maybe inspired to learn more about their conservation and welfare. They are not however particularly easy or low-maintenance animals to keep outside of their natural climatic range. Many tortoises that are bought to be kept as pets by inexperienced.
If released into the wild pet turtles can be a danger to local populations of turtles and tortoises. Because of the pet-trade red-eared-sliders are now considered one. A months supply of tortoise food costs around 20 1544 on 050917 according to a tortoise owner on reddit.
Tortoises feed mainly on leaves. You can grow their food yourself if you have a garden or you can buy from a specialised shop. Be careful not to buy plants that were treated with pesticides and could harm your tort.
The Mediterranean tortoise trade is back. For many years after the initial 1984 import ban a steady trickle of illegally collected wild caught animals continued to appear. Most of these animals were quite literally smuggled into the UK and Europe from Morocco Tunisia and other localities such as Turkey.