Indian Star Tortoise
The Indian star tortoise (Geochelone elegans) is a land tortoise also known as the Sri Lankan star tortoise. It is a species of tortoise endemic to the dry forests of India and Sri Lanka. This species is striking for its star-patterned shell, which resembles a multi-pointed yellow star. The genus Geochelone is the one it belongs to. If you want to keep learning more about the Indian star tortoise, we now describe more information about its distribution, characteristics, habits, diet, reproduction, and conservation status.
Distribution
This species is found in India and Sri Lanka. The Indian star tortoise inhabits two distinct areas: in the west, from Gujarat to the Pakistani border, and in the east, from the south of the Ganges delta to the tip of the peninsula. Although some sightings have also been recorded in Pakistan and Bangladesh, it generally lives in dry areas and not in humid zones.
Characteristics
There are other types of star tortoises besides the Indian one, also belonging to the Geochelone family. To distinguish the species Geochelone elegans from other star tortoises, you can observe the following characteristics:
The radial scutes of the shell have a conical shape and the posterior marginals are slightly serrated in juveniles. The shell is slightly narrower in the middle and lacks a nuchal scute. The black and yellow stripes extend around the entire areola, while in the species Astrochelys radiata, they form a narrow fan over about 1/4 of the scute.
The legs are short, with flat, round scales surrounded by black, and the head has small yellow scales on a black background. The plastron is yellow with black stripes, and females are larger than males. Juveniles are yellow or orange and have black markings on the sutures.
Habits
It is found mainly in the dry areas of Tamil Nadu, where there are grasses, acacias, and euphorbias. Another area where it can be found is in some green meadows of northern and western India. During the dry season, it is usually active in the morning and hides during the day, while in the wet season, it becomes very active, feeds abundantly, and mates.
In the western part of its range, it spends a few weeks in hibernation due to low nighttime temperatures.
How long does the star tortoise live?
The star tortoise is a long-lived tortoise due to its slow life cycle, which means it can live up to 80 years.
How big do star tortoises get?
The maximum length it can reach is 32 cm, although its average size is usually 25 cm, and it does not exceed 6 kg. Normally, female star tortoises are larger than males, as is the case in many other species.
Care for the star tortoise
It is recommended to provide a large water container for bathing, hiding places, and a slightly moist substrate. Heat lamps and UVA/UVB rays should be provided, and a daytime temperature of around 27°C and nighttime temperature of 21°C should be maintained. It is also mentioned that they like to bathe and be under the rain, but they do not tolerate humidity well. If kept outdoors, it is recommended to have a solid fence to prevent escapes.
How does the star tortoise feed?
Its diet is mainly herbivorous, and it likes fruits, vegetables, and succulents, although it can also eat dead and spiny leaves. In Sri Lanka, it is known to eat papaya fruits, which can cause intestinal blockages and deaths. Other foods it eats include lizards, dead rats, and insects.
Feeding in captivity
When it comes to the feeding of star tortoises, we must consider the calcium/phosphorus ratio, as a calcium deficiency can lead to serious health problems, such as shell deformity. For this reason, it is recommended to provide foods with a ratio of at least 2:1, although in nature this ratio will vary.
We should provide natural foods to tortoises whenever possible, such as wild mustard, dandelion, or sow thistle, which are plants that are usually easy to find. If these foods are not available, calcium supplements or cuttlebone can be used for the tortoises to nibble on as they wish.
Any type of animal protein should be avoided in the diet of tortoises, as this can lead to health problems such as pronounced pyramiding, as well as damage to internal organs, especially the liver and kidneys.
How does the star tortoise reproduce?
Sexual maturity is reached at an early age, around 5 or 6 years old. The mating period coincides with the monsoon month, and males have spectacular erections. The courtship of the males is brief and not very aggressive, without injuring or biting the females, and they emit a moderate grunt during copulation.
How many eggs does the star tortoise lay?
Egg-laying is observed mainly in May-June and October. The eggs are elliptical, but sometimes tend to be spherical, and are quite large for this small species: 3 x 4 cm. Incubation lasts from 110 to 130 days, and a female can lay around 10 eggs in a single season.
Conservation status
The population of this tortoise is rapidly declining due to three main threats:
Collection for international trade destined for Asian and Western countries, collection for consumption, and intense urbanization and agriculture that transform natural habitats. Rapid deforestation in India, along with intensive grazing and the expansion of cultivated areas, are causing its rapid decline, as it once occupied the entire country.
Protection measures
Stricter protection measures are proposed, such as its inclusion in Appendix I (currently in Appendix II), the creation of truly effective and monitored reserves, and broad environmental education for local populations. Exports must be stopped and studies on the species' status should be carried out.
Other species of land tortoises
There are numerous species of land tortoises around the world, each with unique characteristics and adaptations to their particular habitat. Some examples include the desert tortoise, which can survive in extremely dry and hot areas; the box turtle, which defends itself from predators by closing its shell; and the Galapagos tortoise, which can live up to 100 years and is known for its large size and longevity. All these species, like the Indian tortoise, face threats from human activity and need protection measures to ensure their survival.
Argentine Tortoise
Red-Footed Tortoise
Leopard Tortoise
Greek Tortoise
Galápagos Tortoise
Hermann's Tortoise
Despite its beauty, the star tortoise faces a series of threats in its natural habitat. Habitat loss due to the expansion of agriculture and urbanization, as well as poaching for the pet trade and traditional medicine, are the main factors affecting this species.