Calling on indian star owners residing in INDIA

Markw84

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The tortoise looks like it has a great shell and has been growing well. From the shell, we can only tell about it's past care, and seeing smooth growth with no pyramiding at all is a very good sign. As far as overall health now, please read this post I made on this question:

https://tortoiseforum.org/posts/1581234/

This tortoise looks to be 2-3 year old. It is impossible to tell for sure, but it is definitely still a juvenile. As such it is also impossible to sex at this size. Males and females look identical until they start developing secondary sexual characteristics - normally at about 5" (13 cm) or so.
 

Bhanu

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Sir, my star was a 5or 4 months old i regert it actually i dont know tortoises were bitten by rats when it hibernates my was bitten upto flesh actually
rat eaten up all its flesh of front legs even with nails other leg has only two nails becoz of this it cant able to eat i taken it to vet he treated with 3 injections
on the front legs and after 7days i tried all things it can eat but no results so i taken it to vet again he said give glucose and energy drops daily
after 1 day i figured it out how to feed that with dropller that no exp with torts and i started to feed her all things she eat with my hand sir so please help me how to make it to eat himself any ideas, is torts grow back thier flesh and nails.do you know anything plz post
 

RosemaryDW

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Bhanu, I am sorry to hear about your tortoise.

If you haven’t already, please go make a new post about the rat bite and subsequent care in the “Health” section. People will see it more easily than they will while it is at the bottom of this older thread. You’ll get more answers.
 

RickyGoldsmith

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Forgive me for not reading thru the whole thread so perhaps I've missed something, but aren't star tortoises illegal to own in India?

Yes. It is illegal to keep. Just like most other native endangered species (IRN Parrot etc). Now if and whether Star is an endangered species is something arguable.
 

gkg2423

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Hello guys,

After searching a lot many websites i found this forum. Only place where people talk about indian star in india.

I am getting 2 stars tomorrow. I was after red legged. But its not easy to own. So finally decided to pet star. I always liked star more than any other tort but coz of legal restrictions I was avoid it initially.

Just wanted to ask you guys how you guys manage keeping an illegal star here. What things i need to take vareofcto avoid legal consequences. Its obvious we can't news going out.

I cannot have a permanent outside pen atleast for next 2 years. I can keep my torts in direct sun only in the morning say for a couple of hours. I can feed them and soak them 2-3 times a day. I can use UV bulbs if needed. For substrate iIhave decided garden soil. Its pesticide free I used to grow veggies here without urea and pesticides.

Mine would be very young babies. May be a couple of months or even less. Am not sure.

Could you guys pleaae examine mone situation and guide me how can i take care of the babies and prevent any unnecessary harm to them.

And how you guys take care of legal consequences. This is more important. Inside iIam bit afraid too i don't want to lose them once I have them.

Please keep in mind iIam from northern part with winters at around 3℃ and summers around 40℃ outside.
 

RickyGoldsmith

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Hello guys,

After searching a lot many websites i found this forum. Only place where people talk about indian star in india.

I am getting 2 stars tomorrow. I was after red legged. But its not easy to own. So finally decided to pet star. I always liked star more than any other tort but coz of legal restrictions I was avoid it initially.

Just wanted to ask you guys how you guys manage keeping an illegal star here. What things i need to take vareofcto avoid legal consequences. Its obvious we can't news going out.

I cannot have a permanent outside pen atleast for next 2 years. I can keep my torts in direct sun only in the morning say for a couple of hours. I can feed them and soak them 2-3 times a day. I can use UV bulbs if needed. For substrate iIhave decided garden soil. Its pesticide free I used to grow veggies here without urea and pesticides.

Mine would be very young babies. May be a couple of months or even less. Am not sure.

Could you guys pleaae examine mone situation and guide me how can i take care of the babies and prevent any unnecessary harm to them.

And how you guys take care of legal consequences. This is more important. Inside iIam bit afraid too i don't want to lose them once I have them.

Please keep in mind iIam from northern part with winters at around 3℃ and summers around 40℃ outside.
Good luck with your torts and welcome to the forum. Do remember that tortoises are very fragile living creatures and need a lot of caring. Much more than what one thinks initially. Make sure to follow on and leverage on the experience of other users in this forum. Almost every topic has been discussed.
 

gkg2423

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Ambala
Thankyou @RickyGoldsmith.

I was expecting delivery today but the seller called and told he won't be able to deliver this week.:(:(:( So sad I am.

Just finished reading all the messages in this thread, and I think asking anything about food and substrate won't be good. Its already mentioned so many time. But I understand that it takes a lot of care, I am willing to spend most of my time with stars still I think I have a week to decide if I am ready to own. So guys please help me in this.

1. I can arrange food and shall make proper inside housing for these, But I am serving in govt office so transferring to new places is so obvious. Will that have any effect on stars. I may get transferred to hills too.

2. My another concern is related to situations when I have to be out of the town for a day or two. How you guys manage that. Do you handover your stars to someone else or keep them with you (may not be possible in India, since it is illegal to keep native tortoise) or you leave them at home itself with sufficient water and food inside housing for a couple of days (is it possible to leave these at home unattended, if there is no predator, if yes then how old tortoise must be for this).

3. my third concern is about laws in India. we can't hide these away from neighbours and relatives. Soon everyone in neighbourhood will know. ow you guys manage please share.

4. And lastly I have a kid 4 years old, too naughty. Someone with similar situation please share you experience.

Before I get torts home I want to make sure I am the right guy to take care of them. If I am not i won't bring them just to make myself happy and harm them in long run. Guys please reply to my post. I need your advice.
 

vipaul

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Sep 18, 2018
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Hello Guys,
I am a new owner of 2 baby IS, i don't know their age or gender, but one is around 3.25 inches and the other one is about 2.5.
While going thru numerous threads here i made a small enclosure in a tub 24 x 17" with coco peat and 50W UVB light.
After 2 days of drying the coco peat internally i placed the 2 stars in the enclosure today and noticed that even though they were happy in their new home the tiny particles of coco peat were sticking on their legs and as they roam around the food plate it got stuck on the food as well.

My concern is will the particles cause any resperitory and digestive problems to my tiny stars?
I am attaching few pics.

Kindly let me know what should i do.

Thanks!
Vipaul
 

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gkg2423

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Sep 2, 2018
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Ambala
Hello Guys,
I am a new owner of 2 baby IS, i don't know their age or gender, but one is around 3.25 inches and the other one is about 2.5.
While going thru numerous threads here i made a small enclosure in a tub 24 x 17" with coco peat and 50W UVB light.
After 2 days of drying the coco peat internally i placed the 2 stars in the enclosure today and noticed that even though they were happy in their new home the tiny particles of coco peat were sticking on their legs and as they roam around the food plate it got stuck on the food as well.

My concern is will the particles cause any resperitory and digestive problems to my tiny stars?
I am attaching few pics.

Kindly let me know what should i do.

Thanks!
Vipaul
Hello Vipaul,

You have got very good looking stars. Hopefully some old experienced guys will surely answer to your querry I may not be the suitable guy.

But I noticed 2 thingsa One is that you used a smooth food dish inside. I have read many threads and what I understand is that it should have bit rough surface. It will help in clipping nails and will be easier for torts to move.

You are feeding them ladyfinger. It is not good as a regular diet. And also if you can place a hiding place for them irrespective of whether you keep them inside or outside. It will make them feel more secure and is feel like natural habitat.

But again I am not an expert. I hope someone with experienece can tell better.

Only issue I find with stars is that most of them undergo pyramiding. I personally feel they are most beautiful torts until they get pyramids. After that they don't look that good. Its my personal views guys I apologise in advance.
 

vipaul

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Sep 18, 2018
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Thanks Man! noted your tips.
Actually they feast on lady finger thats why i feed them i also feed Coriander leaves.

Experts Pls help!
 

RickyGoldsmith

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Jul 2, 2013
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Uranus
Thankyou @RickyGoldsmith.

I was expecting delivery today but the seller called and told he won't be able to deliver this week.:(:(:( So sad I am.

Just finished reading all the messages in this thread, and I think asking anything about food and substrate won't be good. Its already mentioned so many time. But I understand that it takes a lot of care, I am willing to spend most of my time with stars still I think I have a week to decide if I am ready to own. So guys please help me in this.

1. I can arrange food and shall make proper inside housing for these, But I am serving in govt office so transferring to new places is so obvious. Will that have any effect on stars. I may get transferred to hills too.

2. My another concern is related to situations when I have to be out of the town for a day or two. How you guys manage that. Do you handover your stars to someone else or keep them with you (may not be possible in India, since it is illegal to keep native tortoise) or you leave them at home itself with sufficient water and food inside housing for a couple of days (is it possible to leave these at home unattended, if there is no predator, if yes then how old tortoise must be for this).

3. my third concern is about laws in India. we can't hide these away from neighbours and relatives. Soon everyone in neighbourhood will know. ow you guys manage please share.

4. And lastly I have a kid 4 years old, too naughty. Someone with similar situation please share you experience.

Before I get torts home I want to make sure I am the right guy to take care of them. If I am not i won't bring them just to make myself happy and harm them in long run. Guys please reply to my post. I need your advice.

Regarding #1: Yes. The seasonal challenges are big. And so is the move. First, you can't air travel with them. Second, they are picky about temperature. So even though they are native to India, remember that India is a big country. What climate stands in Kashmir is not the same you find in Kanyakumari.

Regarding #2: This is a very difficult job. If you leave them with others, you have the risk of how they'd treat. Torts need intense care and they won't get along with every one. For a day or two, I've left them in the house itself properly safeguarded with threats. For longer trips, I end up being helpless and beg friends to take care of them. It is a hassle. But hey, that's the way it is when you have loved ones.

Regarding #3: All good things in life a illegal. You make the call how you want to deal with it.

Regarding #4: From what I've read, stressed out animals carry Salmonela. A hazardous virus. Children are more prone. So, if that's the case, have some strict guidelines on how you want to deal with them. Firstly, don't have your pets stressed out. Second, have strict practices on how you interact with them. Have strict cleanliness rules.
 

gkg2423

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Ambala
@RickyGoldsmith thankyou for reply.

Just yesterday I brought a 2' guy. I am with my brother for few days. He saw it once and said "how cute it is. I am gonna keep it. You get another one". And I was like...????? Itsreally too cute.

Now we have set up an enclosure for it. A plastic box measuring 2.5ft x 1.75ft. used soil as substrate. Bought a thermo cum hygrometer. Since it's raining now a days the humidity is around 85% always and 27℃. Bought cuttle fish bone too. Placed it in the enclosure. But iIthink it is not necessary. But I will keep it there only.

Have ordered uv bulbs online but amazon is taking more than 8 days in delivering. I expected them to deliver by now. So am not able to control the temperature. May be for next 2-3 days. But I keep it in sun, light falls on enclosure for about 2hrs only. But again clouds are the problem.

I gave it hibiscus leaves yesterday. And grass. It ate hibiscus leaf, half of it in in night and again half in morning. I have planted white grass, coriander and hibiscus in a pot. So it can get good leaves without any chemicals. Kept a water bowl thrice his size in the enclosure.

After i brought it home I soaked it in lukewarm water (it travelled a 6hrs long journey). After i put it back in enclosure it excreted a white liquid. After that it started eating. And them roamed freely in the enclosure. I thought it would try to hide but it was exploring new home.

Guys anything iIam supposed to do to make its life easier and healthier. Can I keep giving it hibiscus leaves, flowers, grass, coriander leaves continuously or I need to keep changing the diet. Like giving hibiscus first day. Coriander next and then some other thing in rotation. Or what if I keep giving hibiscus only. Will that not be fine.

Suggestions are most welcome. I am attaching a pic of him. Thanks
 

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RickyGoldsmith

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And what factors can result in stressing out torts

Just too many. Frequently hand holding them. Not giving them a hiding space.

Remember, the torts do recognize you. If you are the regular care taker, over time it will establish that faith and bonding with you. You can determine that if your tort doesn't hide in its shell when you are dealing with it. But with a new person, you are back to square one
 

RickyGoldsmith

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@RickyGoldsmith thankyou for reply.

Suggestions are most welcome. I am attaching a pic of him. Thanks

Wow. That's a cute little, very young tort. Make sure you give it hiding space. If possible natural ones. The way I did it initially was to have a couple of 1 inch shallow, plastic trays, filled with soil. On it, I had grown some green. That worked out well for my 2 torts.
 

gkg2423

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Ambala
Wow. That's a cute little, very young tort. Make sure you give it hiding space. If possible natural ones. The way I did it initially was to have a couple of 1 inch shallow, plastic trays, filled with soil. On it, I had grown some green. That worked out well for my 2 torts.
Sure I will try my best. And suggestions from you guys will definitely help a lot
 

gkg2423

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@Ayushjain101 bhai even I am searching one. Found some on amazon. Had ordered 1 last Month. Shipping was after 3 weeks, but never delivered. I think good bupbsare not available in india and the seller's import from outside. I am still waiting for a good seller.
 

Ayushjain101

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@Ayushjain101 bhai even I am searching one. Found some on amazon. Had ordered 1 last Month. Shipping was after 3 weeks, but never delivered. I think good bupbsare not available in india and the seller's import from outside. I am still waiting for a good seller.
I bought one from Amazon. Its 350 rs. Same uvb aquarium houses are selling for 950. Dont fall for that. Also buy a room temperature checker which is also of 300rs so you dont keep your tortoise in too hot place or he will burnout and die
 

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