Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just wanted to get some quick info on Indian Stars. I am thinking of buying a pair to breed. Are Tortoises hard to breed and how large is the cluch? I breed snakes yearly and am very knowlageble about keeping reptiles. I'd now like to take my hobby further and into the tortoise world. Many thanks.

They are really great animals. I just purchased a pair and couldnt be happier. As far as reproductive habits i've read several different opinions, but the general consensus is one to a few clutches of arounf 4-5 eggs per clutch. If this is wrong please correct me, but Im not worrying until mine are bigger. Supposedly it take 3-4 years to reach maturity, based mostly on slow growth. While it is reported that adults are 8-10 inches or sometimes larger talking with breeders has led me to think that 4-6 inches is more reasonable for a while, almost like it takes 3-4 years to get 4-6 inches and then growth after that is very slow. Mine are about 6 months old and 2-3 inches long.

As far as care goes follow basic diet and temperature rules for other geochel. but keep in mind that hese guys like it DRY. they are suseptable to respiratory and fungal problems so try to keep them as dry as possible. they have really been great to work with so far. good luck!

I purchased my breeders as hatchlings ten to fifteen years ago. They are relatively easy to keep, eat all the standard tortoise fare and have been producing 2 -3 clutches of 4 - 6 eggs yearly for the past three years.

They're beautiful animals but frankly (at least in my humble opinion) what they have in beauty they lack in personality. This opinion is based on the 15 animals I've kept. There was one exception in this bunch, a wonderfully feisty male that was very personable and interactive. The rest are like beautifully marked paperweights.

Perhaps I've been spoiled by keeping Greeks, redfoots and browns.