Geochelone elegans-  Star tortoise        Origin: Asia

Animals pictured in the above left and above right are of the Indian subspecies whereas the two animals in the middle are Sri Lankan in origin.  The easiest way to tell the two apart (though it is not very reliable) is the width of the yellow stripes- while the yellow stripes are extremely thin in the Indians, they are about the same size as the black stripes in the Sri Lankans. 

These animals were once commonly imported into the United States and sold for as little as $35 apiece.  They are now being captive bred in small numbers in the private and zoo sectors and are much sought after due to their beautiful appearance.

The species as a whole is relatively delicate compared to many other hardier species and appears unable to withstand high temperatures/high humidity or rainy/cool temperatures without signs of stress.  There also appear to be differences in the mainland (Indian) star subspecies and the Sri Lankan star subspecies- while the Sri Lankan star appears to do fairly well with higher temperatures and humidities, the Indian appears to be more of a lower humidity/lower temperature creature. 

This is also one of the few tortoise species in which mild "pyramiding" of the shell is a natural occurrence (though there is much variability in wild specimens from smooth to bumpy shell growth).  Much like other species, wild caught specimens tend to be very reticent whereas captive born animals are extremely personable.  High fiber, low quality feeds such as grasses and weeds are what I prefer to feed this species.  

Links to further information on G. elegans:

Recent information and pictures at the most complete site on the web: World Chelonian Trust- www.chelonia.org

Excellent care sheet:  http://www.chelonia.org/Articles/Geleganscare.htm

husbandry article: http://home.earthlink.net/~rednine/elegans.html

general: http://www.thebigzoo.com/Animals/Indian_Star_Tortoise.asp

Pictures of native habitat as well as animals by Ulf: http://home.swipnet.se/testudo/habitat.htm

In German but with pictures: http://www.landschildkroeten.com/Geochelone_elegans.html

picture: http://www.petsforum.com/CIS-Animals/MemphisZoo/Herps/pages/Geocheloneelegans.htm

excellent picture: http://www.europet2000.com/store/html/images/Foto4.htm

Care info: http://www.otaksoft.com/turtles/geo_eleg.htm