(more pictures available upon request)

      Indotestudo forsteni- travancore tortoise        Origin: Southwestern India

Differentiating I. forsteni from I. elongata

One of only three of the genus Indotestudo (I. elongata and I. travancorica being the other two).   There has been a fair amount of debate over whether travancorica and forsteni are different species though some recent genetic work by Iverson et al as well as an article by Pritchard do point to some definitive differences amongst the three Indotestudo species. 

All imports should be checked over carefully by a reptile veterinarian and treated accordingly- I have found that early treatment for protozoans is essential for this species in order to survive and thrive.  Without treatment, I have known a number of animals to appear to be doing well for up to a year before suddenly dying from "unknown" causes.   The species also suffers from some very interesting oral lesions which can become secondarily infected leading to pneumonia and losses.  The species also appears to suffer from a type of wasting disease.   Again, a qualified reptile veterinarian, preferably one that has worked with I. forsteni before, should be consulted.

Diet is similar to that of the elongata.  I have found that this species particularly enjoys mushrooms as well as the occasional earthworms.  Also, for some odd reason, at least in a few of the animals I have worked with, yellow foods including corn and squash appear to be particular favorites (I have found these foods useful in order to stimulate eating in wild caught animals- they are not nutritionally complete however and should not be relied upon as the only food sources). 

While thousands of Indotestudo elongata are available in the pet and food markets of China, there are very few I. forsteni in comparison.   This may be due to more protected habitats but is in all likelihood due to much more limited habitat and therefore a more susceptible species to losses. 

Captive reproduction to this point in the United States has been nonexistent/minimal at best.  This situation may slowly be improving though through increased awareness, breeding loans, and better medical management of the species.  I'm happy to say after a recent pairing I now have 3 ova in the incubator which hopefully will hatch in the coming months.
 

Links to further information on I. forsteni:

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

Differentiating forsteni and elongata: http://www.chelonia.org/Articles/diffIforselong.htm

Picture:  http://www.herpafauna.com/pics/turtles/i-forsteni.html

Various: http://www.landschildkroeten.com/indotestudo_sp.html