Indian star tortoise
Species of tortoise native to India/Sri Lanka
Species
Vulnerablevia IUCN
Wikidata facts
- Instance of
- taxon
- Parent taxon
- Geochelone
- Image
- Indian star tortoise - Houston Zoo - cropped.jpg
Show 5 more facts
- P105
- species
- P141
- Vulnerable
- P7603
- Appendix I of CITES
- P1419
- gömböc
- P9566
Article
The Indian star tortoise (Geochelone elegans) is a threatened tortoise species native to India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka where it inhabits dry areas and scrub forest. It has been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 2016, as the population is thought to comprise more than 10,000 individuals, but with a declining trend. It is threatened by habitat loss and poaching for the illegal wildlife trade. It was upgraded to CITES Appendix I in 2019 by full consensus among all member states, giving it the highest level of international protection from commercial trade. Conservation group TRAFFIC found 6,040 were seized globally that were intended to be sold in the pet trade. Currently they are commonly bred in many countries to be sold as pets.
Engraving of an Indian star tortoise from "The Royal Natural History" (1896)
Gallery (2)
Connections
Categories
Commons link from WikidataFauna listed on CITES Appendix IGeocheloneIUCN Red List vulnerable speciesReptiles as petsReptiles described in 1795Reptiles of IndiaReptiles of PakistanReptiles of South AsiaReptiles of Sri LankaSpecies that are or were threatened by agricultural developmentSpecies that are or were threatened by the pet trade