Ashlimarie83
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- Feb 5, 2014
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- Location
- Virginia Beach, Virginia
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- Display Name
- Bambi
TL;DR: I am hand-raising over 100 axolotls. Are the prices listed in bold fair/decent, what are your best methods for shipping Axolotl juveniles, and is USA to Canada shipping of axolotls feasible?
I am currently raising 100+ axolotls larvae in my home.
They are the offspring of a Wildtype/Copper hybrid female axolotl and Golden Albino/Copper hybrid GFP male axolotl (he presents wildtype however, because hurrah genetics!).
From what I am seeing in the little larvae, I definitely have a few golden albinos (white eyes, very light) and wildtypes (greenish tint, very speckled). I assume as well, that the light colored axolotls with very few speckles are the elusive (in the USA at least) Coppers. I assume because I have not seen many copper larvae and have no way to know until they are at least juveniles. (If anyone does have any FOR SURE pictures, please post them!) I also assume a percentage of them will present with GFP, but will not be checking until the are juveniles.
Although I am going to keep one copper, I will be selling the rest. My question is, I have never sold animals before, and am unsure of for how much I should sell them for (for different types), the best way to package and mail them in the US, and if it is possible to mail them to Canada.
At the moment, even though the biggest ones are only about an inch long, I am keeping them all in seperate 16 oz deli cups (until the become larger, which I have large tupperware containers for) with individual plants for oxygenation. It take about 2.5 hours each day to clean their little habitats, and then about 45 mins to feed, which is also done everyday. I have started with brineshrimp (which is frustrating because they occasionally fail) and will move on to a mix of live black worms and eventually frozen blood worms.
My point is, as a first time breeder it is a lot of daily work and a fair bit of expense (yes I know I could house them easily together for a while to reduce the strain on myself, but I want to decrease the risk of any causalities or harm and provide the best for them each individually. :3 ) I am trying to assess how much to sell them for. I have seen prices across the board, and I know prolific breeders/known sellers can offer them for higher prices because they have reputations, unlike myself, but I also am offering a bit extra for a more personal approach.
I was considering selling them as such at about 2.5 - 3 inches or so (without shipping costs):
Wildtypes: $10-$18 (They would be hybrids for either golden or copper)
GFP Wildtypes: $15-$20 (same)
Golden Albinos: $15-$20 (Would be hybrids for golden and copper)
GFP Golden Albinos: $20-$30
Coppers: $30-$40
GFP Coppers: $35-$45
I came up with these numbers based on sampling through the For Sale US forums and rarity of the type of Axolotls (In the US).
I would also offer for the buyers to receive pictures of the exact axolotl they are going to buy, with updates until they are being shipped. I know its odd, but I feel like the transaction would be less business-y and more personal between the buyer and their new pet.
As for shipping, I have heard a variety of methods and was thinking of offering different methods of shipping for the buyer to choose from: Priority USPS OR Expedited/Overnight USPS, both packaged the same way, double bagged or placed in breathable fish bags and placed in a Styrofoam box with a cold pack (Likely they would be sent off at the end of May). Also offer tracking numbers if possible? I would have to give them a shipping price quote individually, depending on which options they choose.
Does this sound like an decent way to ship and offer shipping?.
Lastly, I have heard Canada does not have many Axolotl suppliers for non-exuberant prices. I have looked in different forums without much luck on importing animals to Canada form the US. Is it possible, or would it be too much of a hassle/price jack-up?
Sorry for the long post! I like to be super through!
And yes I know I am "crazy" for raising them like this, but I want to insure these babies will receive the best life I can give them as if I were keeping them for my own.
I am also super conscious about selling them to people I don't know as well, and even though this is Caudata.org, will likely be sending a short info and basic care sheet with each one just in case. I just want their lives to be the best! God, I'm such a mother hen.
Thanks for any helpful opinions!
I am currently raising 100+ axolotls larvae in my home.
They are the offspring of a Wildtype/Copper hybrid female axolotl and Golden Albino/Copper hybrid GFP male axolotl (he presents wildtype however, because hurrah genetics!).
From what I am seeing in the little larvae, I definitely have a few golden albinos (white eyes, very light) and wildtypes (greenish tint, very speckled). I assume as well, that the light colored axolotls with very few speckles are the elusive (in the USA at least) Coppers. I assume because I have not seen many copper larvae and have no way to know until they are at least juveniles. (If anyone does have any FOR SURE pictures, please post them!) I also assume a percentage of them will present with GFP, but will not be checking until the are juveniles.
Although I am going to keep one copper, I will be selling the rest. My question is, I have never sold animals before, and am unsure of for how much I should sell them for (for different types), the best way to package and mail them in the US, and if it is possible to mail them to Canada.
At the moment, even though the biggest ones are only about an inch long, I am keeping them all in seperate 16 oz deli cups (until the become larger, which I have large tupperware containers for) with individual plants for oxygenation. It take about 2.5 hours each day to clean their little habitats, and then about 45 mins to feed, which is also done everyday. I have started with brineshrimp (which is frustrating because they occasionally fail) and will move on to a mix of live black worms and eventually frozen blood worms.
My point is, as a first time breeder it is a lot of daily work and a fair bit of expense (yes I know I could house them easily together for a while to reduce the strain on myself, but I want to decrease the risk of any causalities or harm and provide the best for them each individually. :3 ) I am trying to assess how much to sell them for. I have seen prices across the board, and I know prolific breeders/known sellers can offer them for higher prices because they have reputations, unlike myself, but I also am offering a bit extra for a more personal approach.
I was considering selling them as such at about 2.5 - 3 inches or so (without shipping costs):
Wildtypes: $10-$18 (They would be hybrids for either golden or copper)
GFP Wildtypes: $15-$20 (same)
Golden Albinos: $15-$20 (Would be hybrids for golden and copper)
GFP Golden Albinos: $20-$30
Coppers: $30-$40
GFP Coppers: $35-$45
I came up with these numbers based on sampling through the For Sale US forums and rarity of the type of Axolotls (In the US).
I would also offer for the buyers to receive pictures of the exact axolotl they are going to buy, with updates until they are being shipped. I know its odd, but I feel like the transaction would be less business-y and more personal between the buyer and their new pet.
As for shipping, I have heard a variety of methods and was thinking of offering different methods of shipping for the buyer to choose from: Priority USPS OR Expedited/Overnight USPS, both packaged the same way, double bagged or placed in breathable fish bags and placed in a Styrofoam box with a cold pack (Likely they would be sent off at the end of May). Also offer tracking numbers if possible? I would have to give them a shipping price quote individually, depending on which options they choose.
Does this sound like an decent way to ship and offer shipping?.
Lastly, I have heard Canada does not have many Axolotl suppliers for non-exuberant prices. I have looked in different forums without much luck on importing animals to Canada form the US. Is it possible, or would it be too much of a hassle/price jack-up?
Sorry for the long post! I like to be super through!
And yes I know I am "crazy" for raising them like this, but I want to insure these babies will receive the best life I can give them as if I were keeping them for my own.
I am also super conscious about selling them to people I don't know as well, and even though this is Caudata.org, will likely be sending a short info and basic care sheet with each one just in case. I just want their lives to be the best! God, I'm such a mother hen.
Thanks for any helpful opinions!