Do Indian Stars like to burrow?

franz_see

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Hi All,

Prior to acquiring my indian stars, I did some research. Seems like they're not the burrowing type like sulcatas. However, what I noticed after getting them is that they'd still try to burrow. They may not be as efficient as the sulcatas and they may not try to burrow by digging with their legs, but they try to do so by laying their plastron flat on the ground, and moving themselves clockwise and counter-clockwise over and over again till they sink deeper.

Furthermore, I only noticed them doing this when I started planting grass inside their enclosure. With grass inside the enclosure, they'll try to cuddle into the grass, and try to hide underneath it. Then, that's when the burrowing starts.

Anybody else notices this with their stars? :)

Here's a photo of one of my indian star in his hole :)
12250145_1103960689615052_6982759723157270441_n.jpg


Cheers,
Fraz
 

Tom

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I think most species of tortoise will do this. My leopards and stars all did this, and of course all the Testudo do this. I've heard that RFs will do this too.
 

hollandop

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Mine frequently burrow or partially submerge themselves. However, they're instinct to dig is not as intense as gopher torts or sulcatas, from my experience. On one instance, one of my stars went way below the substrate and it took quite a while to locate him.
 

dmmj

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you star tortoise owners are going to have to start sharing your observations about them so we can all learn.
 

GRohr

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I have one male that likes to go into the burrows I made, then my other stars just like to hide under plants. None of my stars have wanted to dig at all.
 

Tom

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I don't consider digging down into the substrate for some cover and concealment to be "burrowing". Even russians. Russians really dig down deep sometimes, but that is not a "burrow". Its just hiding in the dirt.
 

Tom

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Mine frequently burrow or partially submerge themselves. However, they're instinct to dig is not as intense as gopher torts or sulcatas, from my experience. On one instance, one of my stars went way below the substrate and it took quite a while to locate him.

I've had baby South African leopards do this too. I had to sift through the substrate to find them.
 

g4mobile

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I know this thread is old, but glad I found it. My baby Burmese Star likes to dig down into the substrate and all I can see is the top of his shell. It looks like this is pretty much normal. She/he is still very active and eating well, so no worries.
 

RickyGoldsmith

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I know this thread is old, but glad I found it. My baby Burmese Star likes to dig down into the substrate and all I can see is the top of his shell. It looks like this is pretty much normal. She/he is still very active and eating well, so no worries.

To the best of my knowledge, Stars do not burrow.
 
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no one

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All my Star Tortoises dig down in the substrate, or did. Sterretje and Kleintje Scutes more then Indu. Like said, it is not "burrowing", but hiding in the substrate. I can still see the top of their shell. And it is always near or under a plant or a hide.
 

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