The Indian Star Tortoise

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The Indian Star Tortoise is one of the slow moving reptiles in Sri Lanka. It’s considered as an agricultural pest in most parts of the island as it feeds upon cultivations. The term ‘Star‘applies to them because of the pattern of the shell. Tortoises are active during the day and can be seen foraging after rains. They are widely distributed among the dry zone. There are many varieties of star tortoises in Sri Lanka. Male Star Tortoises are comparatively smaller in size than females. The female tortoise lays round while eggs in a hole dug by her own back feet and buries them. The easiest way to differentiate between male and females is that the female has a flat belly while the male has a concave on the belly. This concave helps the male tortoise keep the balance when it climbs on top of the female during mating.

These tortoises are not venomous and don’t usually bite humans nor cause any harm to humans. But they have teeth and can bite if provoked. They creep into their shell when they feel threatened. Humans are the greatest threat for these animals apart from animals like mongooses and civets. If turned upside down, they will eventually die if they are unable to regain themselves back to normal.

Star Tortoises can live for a long time with a minimum requirement of water. The Indian Star Tortoise is the only land dwelling tortoise which does not use water as its terrain. These tortoises have heavy bodies and cannot swim in water.

They feed on vegetation, flowers including mushrooms, fruits and even may forage for animal dung during a famine 


 

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