Indian star tortoise. Star turtle (Geochelone elegans). Breeding in captivity

If you also dream of such an unusual pet, but at the same time want to bring someone completely extraordinary into your home, then you should turn your attention to the Indian star tortoise. It is safe to say that if you are a fan of the turtle world, then it will win your heart forever.

In addition to its bright, memorable appearance, this pet is good because caring for it does not require any special skills and abilities to feed such a seemingly exotic pupil, you do not need to have a lot of money or a turtle delicatessen store around the corner. In addition, this Indian star-shaped beauty in a shell is distinguished by its friendliness and peacefulness. She rarely shows aggression, usually quickly adapts not only to new, still unknown to her living conditions, but also to her master. If you plan to buy another individual of this species for your pet in the future, then you can be calm, she also treats her neighbors very peacefully.

Therefore, if the thought flashed through your bright head that this is exactly the smaller friend that you have been looking for for so long, then you can be sure that you are unlikely to ever regret acquiring such a comrade.

But no matter how good and peaceful a turtle is, we must not forget that this animal comes from the wild, so before looking for it in all the nearby pet stores, it is better to get to know it a little closer.

The range and origin of the Indian star tortoise

According to many scientific sources, turtles are one of the most ancient parareptiles that have survived to this day, courageously surviving all the disasters and many other trials, as a result of which our large planet Earth has lost many plant species and a wide variety of animals.

Many scientists have been studying turtles since ancient times, discovering new species and exploring interesting facts about these amazing living creatures, and back in 1795 a new, hitherto unknown species was discovered - the Indian star tortoise. Scientists-zoologists classified it into the class of reptiles, the detachment of the turtle, the suborder of the hidden turtles and the family and genus of land turtles.

Based on its name, it is already possible to guess about the homeland of this reptile. And this is true, but in addition to the lands of India, this creature inhabits a rather large territory of Pakistan, namely its southeastern part, Sri Lanka and many islands are located nearby.

This turtle with an original appearance in its natural habitat prefers to hide from all its neighbors in the thick of forests, which are protected on all sides by a large amount of shrub vegetation. Forest areas such a miracle of nature chooses with slightly reduced air humidity.

Behavior of the Indian star tortoise in open nature

The period of activity of this crypto-neck falls during the daytime, but at the very height of the daylight hours, when the sun mercilessly spreads its scorching rays, the turtle prefers to lie down in some shaded corner of the forest. Sometimes, climbing deep into the rhizomes of trees and shrubs, they wrap themselves in the thickness of the forest floor, or sometimes these creatures can, on not entirely legal grounds, make their way into burrows built by other animals. In search of food or simply for a walk, the star-shaped beauty goes out either early in the morning or in the late afternoon.

This reptile with a house on its back shows the greatest activity and mobility during a more humid period, if there is a long period of drought in the territories inhabited by the turtle, then it can easily hibernate.

The diet of this star-shaped native of India consists mainly of plant products, but if fortune turns to face her and she has the opportunity to devour some small tasty animal, she will not refuse under any circumstances. It is not a big secret for anyone that animals such as turtles are not famous for their speed of movement and this species is no exception. Due to its rather slow lifestyle, this reptile feeds mainly on what grows at a low altitude, which it can reach. Such feed can be flowers, grass, and if you're lucky - fallen fruits and other fruits. But with her inherent speed and agility, she is unlikely to be able to boast of living prey.

Continuation of the genus star tortoise

The process of puberty in beautiful turtles continues until about the age of 10-14 years. The fact that the animal already has the ability to fully reproduce can be judged by the length of the dorsal part of the shell, it should be approximately 24-31 cm. In the representatives of the male half of the turtle family, puberty occurs much earlier, at the age of about 3-6 years and with a carapace 18–25 cm long.

The beginning of the mating season for these living creatures with a house begins with the debut of the rainy season, usually from the end of May and continues until mid-October. Female turtles lay several clutches, in one such clutch usually from 3 to 8 eggs. The incubation period lasts approximately 50 to 150 days. After this time period, small turtles are born, in which no characteristic features are observed on the shell.

Science has described two varieties of coloring for baby turtles. In some, the main tone is orange; on it you can easily see a wide strip of yellowish color, which is located longitudinally along the spinal column. In another type of babies, their “house on the back” is painted in rich yellow and there is no longitudinal line, but their nature also did not deprive them of decorations. In the projection of the back, several elements are drawn that have an irregular shape, these patterns are painted in dark shades, closer to black. Exactly the same ornament can be seen on the sides of the little turtle body.

Characteristic features of the appearance of a star tortoise

This representative of a large animal kingdom cannot boast of particularly large dimensions of the body, usually its body grows no more than 25–30 cm in length. exceeds 13–16 cm.

Perhaps the greatest attraction of these natives of the family of land turtles is their shell, which is very remarkable and beautiful, both in shape and in the pattern on it. On the surface of this natural structure, a very unusual pattern is visible, which in its shape is very reminiscent of a real star with rays extending from it. This ornament, painted with the brush of mother nature herself, is painted in yellow tones and is absent only on the marginal shields of the shell. Probably, it is thanks to such a natural decoration that this parareptile got its name.

The main tone of the color of the shell of this hidden neck is dark brown or deep black. Such a seemingly slightly remarkable coloring helps reptiles to survive in harsh environmental conditions, since with its help they perfectly camouflage themselves in the rubble of dry grass or shrub vegetation.

Keeping a star tortoise

Probably, for every living creature living on our planet, one of the most important attributes for a happy and comfortable life is having your own roof over your head, also for pets, even if it is a land tortoise. In principle, such a pet as this miracle in a shell can feel very comfortable living in a spacious box. But is it right? After all, the life expectancy of this comrade is over 50 years, then it would probably be better to invest once in a more comfortable and suitable home for your pet.

As his personal house, a spacious horizontal-type terrarium is well suited, the height of which is not so important, because its inhabitant is rather short, and will not climb trees and shelves. The main thing is that other inhabitants of your house from the animal world do not get to it.

Correct temperature. Due to the fact that this Indian turtle is used to living in rather hot climatic conditions, your task will be to recreate the microclimate familiar to it in captivity as much as possible. To do this, it is necessary to install an artificial heating source in the terrarium. As the latter, you can use both ordinary incandescent lamps and thermal cords or thermal mats, they are currently sold at any pet store. During the daytime, the thermometer should not fall below 27-28 degrees, at night the temperature should fluctuate from 22 to 25 degrees.

There is one golden rule in relation to the star turtle: "The higher the temperature in the terrarium, the higher the humidity ratio should be." Under no circumstances should the temperature drop with a simultaneous increase in humidity, this action is very detrimental to your pet. The correct air humidity must be maintained by daily spraying of the terrarium, but it would be nice to install special devices that will independently regulate the conditions necessary for your pet.

A necessary attribute in the personal space of your friend with a house on his back will be an ultraviolet lamp, it will provide your friend with the necessary amount of ultraviolet rays, which in turn will help the fragile turtle body absorb calcium and cholecalciferol. With a lack of these elements, after some time, serious health problems with your friend may begin, which can promise not only the disability of the animal, but also death.

It is best to install the lamp in the same corner as the heating device, let it be a hot zone, so the reptile will choose for itself where it is better for him at one time or another of his life.

In addition to the hot zone, you can equip your pupil with the so-called wet chamber. To build the latter, you will need some kind of container with low sides, filled with wet moss, soil, or just green grass.

Water is also one of the main components of the happiness and health of the Indian star tortoise. It is best to install a pond filled with clean water in a small turtle house. From there, she will drink water and, if desired, use it as a personal pool, in addition, there will be an additional source to maintain air humidity. Only when building a place for swimming, it must be taken into account that the turtle is a slow and clumsy animal, so the sides need to be made low, otherwise, if your pet even somehow manages to climb in and swim there, then it certainly cannot get out of there.

The flooring in the terrarium should be strewn with a fairly wide layer of soil so that your turtle can burrow into it if desired, as long as the substrate is not too dusty. In one of the corners of the house, you can place a small amount of edible moss, such as sphagnum.

Feed such a pet as a turtle should be daily. As a main course, you can easily buy special food for turtles at any store, your friend will never refuse it, but you can also make a homemade diet, the so-called turtle menu. By nature, these reptiles are accustomed to eating food of plant origin, so there is absolutely no need to retrain them, except that you can diversify their food a little. Foods such as apples, cabbage, carrots, pumpkin, zucchini, lettuce, dandelions and even alfalfa are welcomed on the menu of this comrade. Occasionally, you can indulge your buddy with such goodies as bananas, melon, watermelons or strawberries, but with such delicacies you can overdo it, causing an intestinal upset in the animal.

In addition to the main meals, your turtle needs to be given various vitamin and mineral complexes, especially calcium.

Serve such turtle delicacies in a shallow plate, it is recommended to chop the dishes beforehand. After the meal is over, the feeder should be removed.

Difficulties in caring for the Indian star tortoise

Indian star tortoise (lat. Geochelone elegans) belongs to the family of land turtles (Geochelone). The unusually beautiful and original shell made it very popular among exotic lovers. In the early 1970s, more than 10,000 such animals were sold annually in the markets of Calcutta alone. In order to preserve the species in natural conditions, the Government of India in 1972 took measures to protect them and restrict their export outside the country (Indian Wildlife Act).

As a native inhabitant of tropical rainforests, the star tortoise does not tolerate transportation well. Very many reptiles at low humidity suffer from diseases of the respiratory system, which in most cases leads to their rapid death.

Spreading

This species is found in Pakistan, the southern regions of India and on the island of Sri Lanka. Small populations have adapted to life in arid forests and semi-deserts, having learned to hibernate during the dry season. For life, the reptile most willingly chooses an area overgrown with dense shrubs. It feels quite comfortable in the semi-dry savanna near water bodies and in the steppe. He likes to dig his own shelter.

The coloration of the shell serves as an excellent camouflage among bushes or dried grass. Reptiles living in the western regions of the Indian subcontinent are larger and darker than their more southern relatives.

habits

During the day, the reptile rests. In search of food, she goes at dusk and at dawn. During the monsoon period, it shows almost round-the-clock activity.

In a drought, it can be seen only in the early morning and closer to dusk. He prefers to spend the heat of the day in the shade. Due to the camouflage coloring, it is very difficult to notice it in the middle of the vegetation.

Food

The basis of the diet is grass, fruits and flowers of plants lying on the ground. To normalize digestion, the turtle periodically eats dry grass. May occasionally eat food of animal origin, consisting mainly of invertebrates (insects and their larvae).

Some specimens have been seen eating carrion. In cold weather, their metabolism slows down and they can go weeks without food.

reproduction

The mating season coincides with the rainy season. In the northern regions, it takes place from June to September and is accompanied by ritual fights between males for the right to procreate.

The female, ready for mating, retracts her head and exposes her cloaca.

After 9-12 weeks, females lay eggs in 5-9 pieces in different places, having previously dug a small hole up to 15 cm deep in soft soil or sand. At the same time, they make sure that the soil is not too wet. High humidity adversely affects the development of embryos.

The number of eggs in subsequent clutches decreases and can be calculated as only 1-3 pieces. Their dimensions are 45 x 35 mm, and weight 20-40 g. The duration of incubation depends entirely on the climatic conditions of the area and ranges from 86 to 150 days.

The temperature in the masonry is kept within 29-30°C, much less often up to 31°C. In the first case, predominantly males develop, and in the second, only females. Hatched turtles are completely independent and do not require parental care. Their body length does not exceed 35-45 mm.

Sexual maturity in males at the age of 6-8 years, and in the beautiful half 2-4 years later.

External characteristics

The total length is 30-38 cm, and the live weight reaches 7 kg. Females are larger than males. Males have a thicker and longer tail. Scutes on carapace strongly rounded.

In the middle of dark brown or black shields there are light spots, from which up to 8 yellow rays radiate in all directions, forming a kind of stars. The front legs are yellow. The head and plastron are black on a yellow background.

The life expectancy of the Indian star tortoise in the wild is about 30-40 years. In captivity, with good care, some individuals live up to 80 years.

Especially popular among lovers of reptiles is the stellate or Indian stellate tortoise, leading a terrestrial lifestyle. Its Latin name is Geochelone elegans. Adults are small in size and calm in nature. The tortoise shell is decorated with yellow stripes that contrast with its black background. No wonder she is considered one of the most beautiful creatures suitable for captivity.

For the first time, a star tortoise was found off the coast of India. It is also found in Sri Lanka and southern Pakistan. As such, there are no subspecies, however, turtles from different habitats slightly differ from each other in the shape of the shell and its color. The beautiful pattern on the back of the turtle owes its name.

Dimensions and duration of existence

In the Indian star tortoise, the females are much larger than the males. And if the former grow up to 25 cm, then the latter only up to 15 cm. As for the individuals living in Sri Lanka and Pakistan, they are larger compared to Indian ones. Females are up to 36 cm long, and males up to 20 cm.

The life expectancy of a reptile can be about 80 years, but this is provided that it lives at home. In the natural environment, the reptile faces many dangers: predators, fires, poachers.

Place of detention and care

It is best to place the turtle in an aquarium or just in a large and strong box. If you need to accommodate two adults, then the terrarium should be at least 100 cm long and 60 cm wide. Height is not the main thing, you just need to make sure that the turtles cannot get out and other animals in the house do not get them. Don't forget to clean and clean their house.

Lighting and heating system

Remember that turtles are native to the tropics. The reptile is accustomed to high humidity and the corresponding temperature, which ideally should warm up from 27 to 32 degrees. If the thermometer in the aquarium shows 27 degrees, then the humidity in no case can be lower. Both values ​​must be made equally high. This species of turtle does not go into hibernation when the temperature drops, so they are not adapted to a state of prolonged cooling. The heating of the terrarium can be stopped at night, but only on condition that the necessary temperature conditions are observed in the house.

Turtles need vitamin D3 and calcium for successful development and a good lifespan. All this they usually get by basking under ultraviolet rays. In our latitudes, hot sunny weather occurs mainly in the summer, so it is difficult to provide a reptile with this kind of heating. However, this problem can be solved with an ultraviolet lamp. It must be installed in the terrarium along with other heating systems. Also, give the turtle special food containing the above vitamins. Then she will grow healthy and active.

When arranging an aquarium, it is very important to make two zones inside: one with heating and UV lamps, and the other with a humid environment, where the reptile can cool down if desired. In the first place, it is necessary to create a high temperature (about 35 degrees), and in the second place, cover the bottom with moss, earth or grass. It does not matter how the wet chamber will be framed, for example, in the form of a pot, box, crate. You just need to make sure that there is an entrance corresponding to the size of the reptile.

Drinker in the terrarium

The star tortoise needs fresh water all the time, so place a special container, saucer or bowl of liquid in its dwelling. Once a day, you need to change the water in the aquarium, because it gradually becomes contaminated and deteriorates. Very young turtles are recommended to bathe about 1-2 times a week in a basin filled with warm water. Don't get your reptile's head wet! If a white thickish mass appears in the liquid, do not worry, turtles can both drink water and defecate into it during such procedures.

Bathe turtles like this:

Diet

Indian star tortoises usually eat plant foods. It is quite possible to treat them with food for pets (cats and dogs), but green grass, rich in fiber, will be the main delicacy for them. These reptiles need to be given plants, vegetables and fruits, as well as artificial feed.

Turtles can be fed:

• cabbage and carrots;
• pumpkin and zucchini;
• lettuce and dandelion leaves;
• apples.

Occasionally they need to give:

• watermelons and melons;
• bananas and strawberries;
• tomatoes.

However, fruits should be fed with caution, because, after overeating them, the animal will suffer from diarrhea. Before serving food in the terrarium, it is crushed and placed in a low bowl so that the reptiles can conveniently reach for food. There are special foods for tortoises, which are also added to the general diet.

Baby feeding:

Diseases

Most star turtles are prone to respiratory diseases. They can easily catch a cold in a draft or freeze in a poorly heated room. The following symptoms indicate the presence of a cold: shortness of breath with a wheeze, a constantly open mouth, swollen eyes, lack of appetite and lethargy.

If the owner immediately noticed such manifestations of the disease, then he can add heating to the terrarium by putting another lamp there and try to adjust the necessary temperature regime in the house. These actions can speed up the immune system, it will fight the infection. It should be hot in the reptile's dwelling. Warm it thoroughly, occasionally bathing the turtle in warm water to avoid dehydration. If the condition worsens, contact your veterinarian immediately. He will prescribe a course of antibiotics and treatment. If you doubt that you yourself can help the reptile, then it is better to immediately take him to the doctor!

Proper Handling

Any turtle is a timid animal. She will immediately hide her head in her shell when trying to touch her, however, she gradually gets used to her master and cheerfully hurries for food if she smells it. Try not to give the turtle to young children to avoid pet stress.

The star tortoise belongs to the terrestrial species and is the most beautiful of the tortoises suitable for home keeping. Its bulbous carapace has yellow stripes, reminiscent of many stars, hence the name. They are distinguished by a good character, males do not divide the territory among themselves, get along well with other pets.

star turtle

Turtle Characteristics

Not typical for animals, but the female is larger than the males. Characteristics of reptiles:

• Body length - females up to 25 cm, males - up to 15 cm;
• Color - locally yellow, green, brown;
• Life expectancy - up to 80 years.

They need this color for camouflage, they perfectly hide in the grass from predators. They never fall into hibernation, in Sri Lanka and Hindustan, where they live, there is no winter.

It is necessary for home maintenance, but you can get by with an ordinary wooden box. The dimensions of the dwelling must be at least 100 cm long and 60 wide. The health of the turtle depends on the cleanliness inside, so you will have to clean it daily, and there will be no specific smell in the apartment.

The air temperature should be in the range of 27-32 degrees, the humidity is slightly above normal. Install an ultraviolet lamp above the aquarium; without it, the turtle is guaranteed to get sick. Also, install a regular 40-watt incandescent lamp in one of the corners, this will be a heating area where the animal will spend a lot of time absorbing heat. It is not necessary to heat the entire territory, there should be cool zones.

The turtle does not need water procedures, it is not necessary to install a bath for bathing, but you can make a so-called wet chamber. It can be a shelter with a damp washcloth, moss, anything that holds water. The reptile will crawl there periodically, changing thermal baths to wet and cool ones.

Over time, when the animal gets used to the new house, it can be let go for a walk around the apartment.

Turtle food

If they do not bathe in water, then they drink water for a sweet soul. Be sure to have a saucer with fresh water anywhere in the terrarium.

Their diet includes:

• Vegetables fruits;
• Grass;
• Dandelions;
• Canned food for cats and dogs.

Fruits should be given less often, they can cause diarrhea, especially from berries, tomatoes and apples.

You can also crumble vitamins special for turtles into food, they are sold at any pet store.

Turtle Intelligence

It is useless to train a star turtle, but over time it will begin to recognize the owner, and if at first she hid under the shell, then after a couple of months she will run after him with her tail.

Otherwise, it is a silly, decorative animal.

Buying a turtle

You can buy it only in expensive large pet stores, this is a rare turtle. There are also nurseries, but it’s easier to order at a pet store, and in a couple of weeks they will bring her. The price for one individual is around 10,000 rubles.

Actually, there is nothing more to download about the turtle, care and maintenance is not much different from others. The most important thing is attention, do not forget that she is alive, do not starve, do not let children play unattended, and show the veterinarian with strange lethargic behavior.

And remember - we are responsible for those we have tamed!

Star tortoise at the zoo, video