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Indian Star Tortoise

Indian star tortoise is a species of tortoise found in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The species is most active during early morning and late afternoon and activity level peaks during the rainy season. The tortoise is mainly herbivorous. Females are larger than males.

Scientific Classification
Quick Information

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Sauropsida
Order	Testudines
Suborder	Cryptodira
Superfamily	Testudinoidea
Family	Testudinidae
Genus	Geochelone
Scientific Name	Geochelone elegans

Size	15 to 38 cm (5.91 to 14.96 in)
Weight	Up to 10-15 lbs (7 kg)
Color	Black outer shell with yellow small circular area from which yellow streaks radiate; underside of the shell also has black and yellow radiating streaks
Distribution	India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
Habitat	Semi-deserts, grasslands, scrub forests, thorn scrubs, agricultural fields
Diet	Grasses, flowers, fallen fruit, leaves of succulent plants
Hibernation Fact	Does not hibernate
Predators	Eggs and young ones fall prey to birds, reptiles, jackals, foxes
Breeding Season	Rainy season (middle of June to November)
Mode of Reproduction	Oviparous (egg laying)
Clutch Size	1 to 10 eggs
Incubation Period	1 to 6 months
Reproductive Age	Male: 6 to 8 years of age Female: 8 to 12 years of age
Average Lifespan	30 to 80 years
IUCN Conservation Status	Vulnerable