The Indian Star Tortoise is a species of tortoise that is native to the drier regions of India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
This stunning species of tortoise is popular in the pet industry but their numbers are threatened in the wild. This is due to habitat destruction and animals being captured and sold in the pet trade.
Therefore, it is extremely important to only purchase an Indian Star Tortoise from a trusted breeder and never buy a wild caught animal.
Indian Star Tortoise Taxonomy
In the Animal Kingdom, Taxonomy is used as the science and practice of classifying different species and sub-species based on their biological and genetic makeup.
Family
The Indian Star Tortoise belongs to the family Testudinidae. This is simply the family of tortoises. They are closely related to Pond Turtles and Asian Turtles.
Tortoises can vary greatly in size from the Galapagos Giant Tortoise that is over 1.2 metres to tiny tortoises that are only about 3 inches in length.
Most species of tortoise have a number of similarities. However, there are always a few exceptions to these rules.
In general, tortoises have a hard shell they retract their head and neck directly backwards into the shell to protect them.
They are land animals that swim poorly or can’t swim at all. They typically move very slowly, with overage speeds of less than 0.5km per hour.
There are 17 different genera of tortoises at the time of writing and over 60 recognised species.
Genus
The genus that the Indian Star Tortoise belongs to is called Geochelone. The species in this genus are native to Southern Asia. They are sometimes referred to as the ‘typical tortoises’.
There are actually only two species in this genus, the Indian Star Tortoise and the Burmese Star Tortoise.
There were 13 other species that used to be considered part of this genus but have since been re-classified. This includes the Red Footed Tortoise and the Leopard Tortoise.
Species
The scientific name for the Indian Star Tortoise is Geochelone elegans. There are currently no recognised sub-species.
Indian Star Tortoise Description
The Indian Star Tortoise is one of the most recognised species of tortoise due to their amazing appearance.
They typically grow to lengths of up to 12 inches with females being larger than males. Gender, genetics and geographical range play a factor in the overall size that they can grow to.
These tortoises have a circular pattern on the top of each raised ridge on their upper shell. They have yellow patterning that extends out from each of these ridges.
This patterning forms a star-like appearance which is where these tortoises get their common name.
The background color of the carapace or upper shell is brown or black in color. The bottom shell or plastron is lighter in color and typically doesn’t have the star-like pattern.
The body of the Indian Star Tortoise itself is brown or black in color. However, it is covered in a protective layer of tan scales which gives it a spotted appearance.
Natural Habitat and Distribution
As its name suggests, the Indian Star Tortoise is native to India. However, they can also be found in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
These tortoises can be found throughout much of India. Their range extends from Tamil Nadu in the South and extends up through Central and Western India.
In Eastern India, their range extends along the coast as far as the Northern parts of Andhra Pradesh. They are not found as far North as the West Bengal region.
The Indian Star Tortoise can also be found throughout most of Sri Lanka. It can also be found in parts of South-Eastern Pakistan in the Sindh Province.
Indian Star Tortoise as Pets
The Indian Star Tortoise is a stunning species of tortoise that can make a great pet when provided with the right level of care.
This species has been taken from the wild in large numbers to be sold in the pet trade which has endangered the wild population of these amazing tortoises.
Therefore, it is very important to only purchase a captive bred Indian Star Tortoise from a trusted source.
Indian Star Tortoise Housing
The Indian Star Tortoise is a terrestrial species meaning they will need to be housed in a ‘land based’ enclosure as opposed to an aquatic aquarium that a turtle would use.
These tortoises can grow quite large so they will need a relatively large enclosure. This means that it isn’t practical for most people to keep multiple tortoises in a single enclosure.
You will need an enclosure with a floor area that measures around 4ft x 2ft in order to house a large adult female. Smaller specimens can be housed in a slightly smaller enclosure.
If you live in a suitable climate, it is possible to house these tortoises outside. If this is the case, you will be able to house multiple animals together providing you have the space.
Outdoor enclosures will need to have protective measures in place to prevent predators from attacking your tortoise. These measures will depend on what predators are present in your area.
You will need to include a number of hides in the enclosure to allow your tortoise to feel secure.
As the Indian Star Tortoise doesn’t climb and isn’t very fond of burrowing, you do not need overly elaborate decorations in their enclosure.
A few live edible plants will offer a degree of enrichment for them. However, don’t expect the plants to last too long as they will be eaten and trampled on.
Substrate
A natural substrate that holds humidity well is ideal for the Indian Star Tortoise. This gives you a number of options to choose from.
Some of the most common substrates used for this tortoise include Potting Soil, Coco Fibre and Peat Moss.
If you are keeping your tortoise outside, you can even use your gardens grass as a substrate. Just ensure there are no weeds growing that are toxic to animals.
Light and Heat
Like other reptiles, the Indian Star Tortoise is cold blooded and needs a thermal gradient to regulate its body temperature.
You will need to provide a ‘hot spot’ at one end of the enclosure. As the tortoise moves away from the source of the heat, the temperature will drop.
The temperature in the warm side of the enclosure should be around 90F. This can measure around 95F directly under the heat source.
The cooler side of the enclosure can drop to between 80-85F. This can drop further during the night but should never fall below around 75F.
If you are keeping your tortoise in an outdoor enclosure, you don’t need to provide any special lighting as they will get all the UV they need from the sun.
However, when housing an Indian Star Tortoise inside, you will need to provide them with a UV bulb.
A 10 percent UV tube that covers the entire length of the enclosure is ideal for these tortoises. It should be on for 12 hours a day to provide a proper day/night cycle.
If you do not provide your tortoise with a source of UV, they will develop serious medical issues such as metabolic bone disease.
Water and Humidity
You should include a water bowl that is large enough for your Indian Star Tortoise to climb into. Just make sure it isn’t too deep and has sloped edges so they can get back out again.
You will rarely see them drink from the bowl but it will help with humidity levels and other important elements such as thermoregulation.
Stagnant water is a breeding ground for bacteria so ensure that the water is changed regularly and the bowl itself is washed.
These tortoises like high levels of humidity. You should be aiming for around 80%. This can be achieved by regularly misting the enclosure.
Indian Star Tortoise Diet
The Indian Star Tortoise is a herbivore that eats a wide variety of different plant based foods. This should be replicated in captivity.
You need to offer them nutrient rich food every day. You can give them as much food as they can consume in about 20 minutes or so.
Some of the food you can offer them include things like Romaine Lettuce, Kale, Dandelion Greens, Parsley and Rye Grass to name a few.
You should add some multivitamin and calcium powder to the food to ensure your tortoise is getting enough nutrients.
Iceberg Lettuce has very little nutritional value so this shouldn’t make up the bulk of their diet. It can however be offered in small amounts to increase their water intake.
