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| Star Tortoise Treasury | * Indian, Sri Lankan, and Burmese Star Tortoises... plus a few other tortoises... | |
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Indian/Sri Lankan Star Tortoise (G. elegans)
Burmese Star Tortoise Other Starred Tortoises Angulate Tortoise Misc. Pages
Treasury = "a collection of valuable or delightful things"
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Welcome to the Star Tortoise Treasury
Sri Lankan Star tortoise Star Tortoise Treasury - A treasure trove for Indian, Sri Lankan, and Burmese Star tortoise information. Plus a little bit about Angulate tortoises (Chersina angulata) and popular pet tortoises (Greek, Hermann, Russian etc.), too. Star tortoises may not be the most outgoing tortoises, but they are sweet and charming. The Indian Star tortoise (Geochelone elegans) is a beautiful tortoise native to India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Thus, the Indian Star tortoise has three geographical variations aka races or morphs, northern Indian Stars, southern Indian Stars, and Sri Lankan Stars, but they all belong to the same species. However, the Burmese Star tortoise from Myanmar is a distinct species (Geochelone platynota). Star tortoises were named for the striking star patterns on their shells. This pattern varies somewhat by the individual tortoise and its native location, especially in the Indian Star tortoises. Furthermore, some Indian Stars, mainly from Sri Lanka, may exhibit 'natural' pyramiding (conical scutes). In most other tortoises, pyramiding is a sign of less than ideal captive care. In the wild, Star tortoises are endangered due to loss of habitat and illegal collection for pet trade. Support their conservation and never obtain wild-caught specimens. Always buy captive-bred Star tortoises! Parts of this web site are written from an allergic tortoise keeper's point of view. There are certain aspects to tortoise care, especially indoor substrates, that are frequently problematic for allergic owners. Tortoises themselves are seldom, if ever, the cause of allergic reactions. Non-allergic tortoise owners are often not aware of the struggles allergic and asthmatic tortoise keepers face. I have not found any books or web sites geared towards allergic tortoise owners. So, I created this site, in part, to share my personal experiences as an allergic tortoise keeper. If you are a new or prospective Star tortoise owner, be sure to read at least the indoor housing, lighting & heating, substrates, hideboxes, outdoor housing, diet, allergic keepers p.1, and p.2 pages. They contain a lot of Indian/Sri Lankan & Burmese Star tortoise housing, diet, and general care info. These pages answer most of the questions a new Star tortoise owner might have. Many new tortoise keepers find typical caresheets way too vague, so I have gone into great detail on Star care and supplies on those pages. :O) To share your Star tortoise photos, stories, links, or allergy experiences with other visitors, email me, or post a message on the visitor comments board and/or the guest book. This website is continually evolving and it's updated frequently. Consider it a work in progress. Please, report any broken links. Enjoy your visit and come back soon! :O)
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| StarTortoises.net | * Star Tortoises - stars, stars, stars everywhere... | |
Email: startortoises at yahoo dot com |
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