Size differences in the Indian star tortoise

Size differences in populations of the African leopard tortoise are rather well known to hobbyists. Those at the northernmost (top) and southernmost (bottom) extremes of the range attain much larger adult sizes than those in the center.

Perhaps because they are not as well known to hobbyists, the fact that a similar variance in size occurs in the Indian star tortoise, Geochelone elegans, is not as often realized.

My stars, newly received, are of the middle (small-sized) population. They were hatched about 14 years ago by Bern Tryon, Mike Ogle and crew at the Knoxville Zoo, They were kept and coddled for the next 14 years by turtle and tortoise researcher Jim Harding.

Luck alone facilitated their recent transfer to me. Jim decided that he would like the stars to have a bit more “playtime in the sunshine,” so he sent them my way.

Of course, then Mother Nature stepped in; knowing that star tortoises are not awfully fond of excessive moisture, she has provided us with almost continual hard rains. So, with the exception of two or three days, the tortoises' tenure here has been inside with artificial heat and light. But on the few days they were able to go out side each found a sunny patch of grass and weeds, ate until sated, and then sprawled in the sunlight for a lengthy bask.

They seem to be fitting in nicely, and I feel certain that there will be more sunlight someday.

Author, photographer, and columnist Richard Bartlett is one of the most prolific writers on herpetological subjects in the 20th century. With hundreds of books and articles to their credit, Richard and his wife Pat have spent over four decades documenting reptiles both in the field and in captivity. For a list of their current titles, please visit their page in our bookstore.