INDIAN STAR TORTOISE

Common Name: Indian Star Tortoise

Scientific Name: Geochelone elegans

Class: Reptiles

Diet: Herbivore

Size: Average length can grow 20-30 cm and weight 1.3kg - 2.2kg

Average Lifespan: 30-80 years

Origin: India, Sri Lanka

Conservation Status: Vulnerable (IUCN, 2018)

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Physical Description

• This tortoise have star pattern on their carapace.

• They usually come with dark caramel, red caramel, white caramel colour and light grey.

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Habitat

• Dry scrub forest

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Did You Know?

• The Indian star tortoise’s shell enables it to pull its vulnerable head and legs into the shell for protection.

• These tortoises like water more than other species of the same genus, but they are sensitive to extended periods of high humidity.

• If food becomes scarce, as it tends to in the seasonally hot, dry periods, these animals will become inactive and not eat for a long time.

• The radiating lines on the Indian star tortoise’s carapace break up the shell shape when it hides amongst tufts of grass.

• These tortoises like water more than other species of the same genus, but they are sensitive to extended periods of high humidity.