Ordering Reptiles Online?

[chuka1212]

Has anyone used LLL reptile to order a live reptile? I would really like to hear their reputation before ordering. What places do you guys use and trust to order live animals.

I have NEVER done this in my life, and it will be difficult for me to order without inspection of my precious critters.

I am considering, however, because a pair of rudis are $104 with shipping, while just one at my local pet store is 69.99 w/out tax.

Your help is appreciated as always!

 

[dodolah]

www.chameleonsonly.com

 

[bllanosr]

I bought a Saharan Sand Boa from LLL Reptile. So far the animal in question is still good. They're actually really good about shipping live animals. They will call you (e-mail if they can't reach you by phone and they call twice), to confirm the order and to make sure that you will definitely be at your house (or shipping address) for the delivery. You don't get to see/inspect the animal before purchase but you should take it to the vet ASAP.

 

[chuka1212]

Great! Anymore experiences with LLL reptiles?

Oh and Bllanosr, why take them immediately to the vet? To check for parasites and what not?

Kammerflage looks great... but no rudis.

 

[Trace]

I've ordered animals (and supplies too!) from LLL many a time and have not been disappointed. I knew I was buying wild caught chameleons sight unseen and with my experience I was prepared to deal with the hardships of getting the animals settled into a captive lifestyle. LLL has always been honest and up front about where they get their chameleons with me.

Chances are the rudis you get from LLL are wild caught specimens. Ask yourself if you are ready for that headache as a new chameleon owner?

Trace

 

[chuka1212]

Thanks,
What does it entail to acclimate wild caught specimens? I understand they can often have a high parasite load... are there other problems I may encounter?

 

[reptimom]

Chuka - Sorry to be the bearer of bad new, but I have ordered 5 rudis chameleons from LLLreptile and am sad to say that only 1 has survived. They all had coccidia - one that they sent me could not even shoot her tongue out of her mouth. I live in a small town and by the time the results were back from the lab - I had lost 4 of them. I was crushed. I was able to treat my male and he has done well. Another thing is that I ordered one male and the rest females and I actually received 2 males?? I have recently ordered 2 females from First Choice Reptile and sent fecal samples out right away and both came back negative for parasites and have proven healthy and eating great. Ask lots of questions before you order - if they answer your questions satisfactorily and return your emails in a timely manner- you will feel more comfortable dealing with them. Good luck!!

 

[chuka1212]

Wow reptimom, thanks for bearing the bad news actually. I would hate to lose my chameleons, that would put a damper on my first attempt at keeping them. So thanks. I have already sent some emails to LLL asking if they are CB's or wild, so we will see. I will also check out First choice.

So far one bad experience and two good. Any more before I make my choice?

 

[Julirs]

FL Chams has some nice Rudis available. They are WC, but I have gotten a few WC from them and they are always in great shape. Remember-you get what you pay for!

 

[dectr6]

I can highly reccomend first choice. All of his WC are treated with Panacur upon arrival. You'll still need to do follow up fecals but at least this is a head start. You really should think twice about getting WC though. If you check around, you can find CB rudis. Nick Mole at First choice currently has F1 farm raised red phase rudis for 275 a pair. I know that's more than twice what they are at LLL but you'll be getting superior animals and may be cheaper in the long run. I know I saw on one of the sites that someone was going to have CB rudis ready in a couple of weeks but I don't remember what site it was on. I had a few rudis several years ago and they are awesome little chams. If you get good healthy ones you won't be disappointed. Good luck and keep us informed. David