#star toitoises

[petsincollections]

Indian star tortoise walking on ground

35 mm slide; color. Scientific Classification: Kingdom: Animalia; Phylum: Chordata; Class: Reptilia; Order: Testudines; Family: Testudinidae; Genus: Geochelone; Genus species: Geochelone elegans. Animal characteristics: Head-Body Length: 25 cm; Identification: The Indian star tortoise has a grayish-brown shell with a star pattern in cream or golden brown. Its carapace is elongated with elevated plates; Habitat: Dry lowland forests, high grassy jungles; Diet: Herbivore: fruit, grass, cacti, flowers; Reproduction: Females can have as many as nine clutches a year, each one containing 5-7 eggs. The eggs hatch after incubating for 110 days; Behavior: The Indian star tortoise does not hibernate during periods of colder weather; Status: Endangered; Interesting Facts: The star pattern on the shell is used for camouflage in tall grass. This is the smallest species of the genus Geochelone.

CSU - Garst (Warren and Genevieve) Collection

Mountain Scholar - Digital Collections of Colorado