---
title: "Indian star tortoise"  
description: "A short explanation of the Indian star tortoise and it's facts"  
author: "Anjita D."  
published: 2023-10-06  
canonical: https://yourviews.mindstick.com/story/2792/indian-star-tortoise  
category: "animals"  
tags: ["Indian star tortoise", "facts", "general knowledge"]  
reading_time: 1 minute  

---

# Indian star tortoise

![Indian star tortoise](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/32899357-737f-417d-bdf4-efc243d924c5/images/038750aa-d7ae-4f1f-ac2e-b694acafa89a.jpeg) ![Indian star tortoise](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/32899357-737f-417d-bdf4-efc243d924c5/images/f390316e-366c-42f1-bee2-053035cae060.jpeg) The Indian star tortoise (Geochelone elegans) is recognised for its magnificent star-shaped markings on its high-domed shell. ![Indian star tortoise](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/32899357-737f-417d-bdf4-efc243d924c5/images/6b6da247-14db-4c6c-80f2-9914b00e2dd5.jpeg) It is native to India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. ![Indian star tortoise](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/32899357-737f-417d-bdf4-efc243d924c5/images/79fa1a68-a1f2-4615-8ee6-5de9b3eb21bf.jpeg) Sadly, it is an endangered species, a popular pet & traditional medicine, is facing threats from habitat loss & illegal wildlife trade poaching. ![Indian star tortoise](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/32899357-737f-417d-bdf4-efc243d924c5/images/8a02593e-35f2-4827-ac06-45902ccac77e.jpeg) In 2019, CITES categorised it as the highest level of international protection from commercial traffic. ![Indian star tortoise](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/32899357-737f-417d-bdf4-efc243d924c5/images/d0362845-ae8d-4b2e-b18b-3a15925b2e34.jpeg) Furthermore, they contribute significantly to their ecology by distributing seeds and regulating plant development.

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Original Source: https://yourviews.mindstick.com/story/2792/indian-star-tortoise

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