Gary
Who Am I ? My name is Gary, and I have been keeping turtles as a hobby for close to 30 years... My first eggs were laid, incubated, and hatched when I was 12. Since then my goal to provide my pets optimal, realistic living conditions has become an overpowering passion. My turtles seem to be happy, and show it by producing eggs each season. This is very rewarding, and part of the hobby that I like to share.
My Goals as a hobbyist: The goal has always been conservation of nature and the survival of the species that share it. With that said, breeding species, and working with species, (in my opinion) is one of the best ways to ensure long term survival, and take pressures off of wild collecting of animals distributed into the pet trade. On top of that, many species face extinction now, and in the very near future. These species are being helped greatly by hobbyists working with them in breeding programs to keep genetics clean and prosperous. These efforts should only attempted by groups or individuals that understand the dedication and hard work it takes to provide housing and care to these various species...
Groups of Focus: I currently work with 20 species, and have quite a few more to add to the list as space allows... I have worked with many US species in the past, and would love to keep more. The fact is, only keep what is allowed. This limits things a bit. That's ok though, as I have faith that others working with these species will do just fine. For me now, I focus on some tortoises and turtles alike. Mostly exotic species. I have worked hard at getting these groups into breeding shape, raising most of them from hatchlings aquired from other reputable breeders. This is the hard way for sure, but it is very rewarding. Captive bred and born species are a better bet any day, if you can hold out long enough to see them grow up and breed.
Here are some of my breeding groups of choice: (Tortoises) Pancakes, Hermanns, Sri Lankan Stars, Marginateds, Spiders (P. arachnoides). (Turtles) Chinese box (C. flavomarginata), Beals eyed, Smiths tent (P. s. pallidipes), Circled tents, Razorback musks, Red cheeked muds, Black Marsh, Afghanistan spotted pond, Flowerback box (C. galbinifrons and bouretti), Black breasted leafs (G. spengleri), Podocnemis species, Ornate diamondbacks, C.trifaciata, Black knob and Pearl river maps, Australian snake-necks (M. longicollis), Pelusios castaneus, T. emolli, C. amboinensis and M. parkeri...
Here are some of my breeding groups of choice: (Tortoises) Pancakes, Hermanns, Sri Lankan Stars, Marginateds, Spiders (P. arachnoides). (Turtles) Chinese box (C. flavomarginata), Beals eyed, Smiths tent (P. s. pallidipes), Circled tents, Razorback musks, Red cheeked muds, Black Marsh, Afghanistan spotted pond, Flowerback box (C. galbinifrons and bouretti), Black breasted leafs (G. spengleri), Podocnemis species, Ornate diamondbacks, C.trifaciata, Black knob and Pearl river maps, Australian snake-necks (M. longicollis), Pelusios castaneus, T. emolli, C. amboinensis and M. parkeri...
