186: AAH Best Tortoise For Beginners | Gabriel Mattei

Gabriel Mattei is a vet student born and raised in Thailand. In the episode, we discuss the wildlife and pet markets in Thailand, including the infamous Chatuchak Market, Gabriel's upbringing in Thailand, and his experience keeping various tortoise and turtle species (chelonians). Gabriel emphasizes the importance of establishing breeding groups and taking time to acclimate newly imported species. He also shares his thoughts on the ethics of keeping tortoises and provides insights into tortoise and turtle husbandry. SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/186-gabriel-mattei/ WE DISCUSS: 0:00 Coming Up 1:57 Welcome Gabriel & Growing up in Thailand, Background 23:40 Pet Markets & Wildlife Trafficking 35:45 Asian narrow-headed softshell turtle (Chitra chitra) 37:08 EK Magazine & CRH Ad Read 38:20 Chitra chitra continued 41:31 Visiting rare collections in Thailand 43:08 Keeping Tortoises Outdoors, Quaratine, Breeding Tips, Diet (Pancakes, kinixys) 59:41 The ethics of keeping long-lived tortoises 1:05:17 Good tortoise species for beginners? 1:09:10 Three-keeled land turtle (Melanochelys tricarinata) 1:18:35 A Cupulatta Animal Sanctuary Placement 1:21:52 Closing Thoughts 1:23:26 Outro LINKS FROM THE EPISODE: CHECK OUT Custom Reptile Habitats HERE https://www.instagram.com/sokatraa/ Support, Subscribe  & Follow: CHECK OUT Custom Reptile Habitats CLICK HERE SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST NETWORK: SPOTIFY► https://spoti.fi/2UG5NOI Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/animalsathome Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AnimalsatHomeChannel Follow on Instagram: @animalsathomeca