Geochelone elegans

(Schweigger, 1812)

Vernacular names
English : Indian star tortoise
French : Tortue étoilée d’Inde

Classification
Class : Reptilia
Order : Testudines
Family : Testudinidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach a carapace length of 38 cm. Yellowish to tan head and limbs. Carapace is strongly domed, sometimes with pyramidal scutes with yellow center and radiating yellow lines on black color, forming an incomplete star pattern.

Range and habitat
The species occurs as two main isolated populations in India, one in central –west, the other in south-east. Also found in Sri Lanka. Lives in dry scrublands, grasslands, edges of deserts, plantations.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : VULNERABLE
CITES : Appendix I
Status : The species is still relatively common in its range and can live in agricultural areas but suffers from destruction of its habitat and overcollection.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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