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Habitat
Dry deciduous forest, scrub, and grassland across India, Sri Lanka, and southeastern Pakistan. Active during cooler hours; shelters under vegetation through midday heat.
Climate & seasons
Hot dry summers (35 °C+), warm humid monsoons, cool dry winters. Bimodal activity tied to the monsoon. Captive setups need a marked wet season to keep them in good health.
Diet
Grasses, weedy greens, flowers, succulents, and a small amount of fruit. Calcium and UVB are critical for the strongly pyramided shell pattern.
Temperament
Shy and prone to stress. Best kept in calm enclosures with plenty of cover. Not a handle-often species.
Shell & anatomy
Striking yellow "starburst" pattern radiating from the center of each carapace scute. Highly domed in adults. Sri Lankan animals tend to be larger and more boldly patterned than mainland Indian ones.
Conservation status
IUCN Vulnerable; one of the most heavily smuggled reptiles in the world for the international pet trade. CITES Appendix I since 2019 — legal captive lines only; commercial wild trade is banned.
As a pet
Demanding species. Sensitive to chilling and damp substrates; respiratory infections are common in mis-managed setups. Only buy captive-bred from documented sources — wild animals often arrive sick and parasitised.
Field notes
- Each starburst pattern is unique — like a fingerprint.
- Promoted to CITES Appendix I in 2019 after a massive smuggling crackdown.
- Hatchlings already show the star pattern in miniature.