Head to head
Burmese Star Tortoise vs Indian Star Tortoise
Burmese Star Tortoise
VS Indian Star Tortoise
The Burmese star tortoise and Indian star tortoise are two close relatives in the genus Geochelone, both with starburst shells and both victims of the pet trade.
| Burmese Star Tortoise | Indian Star Tortoise | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Geochelone platynota | Geochelone elegans |
| Relationship | A close relative of the Indian star tortoise, in the same genus | A close relative of the Burmese star tortoise, in the same genus |
| Shell | A high, domed shell with yellow lines radiating from the centre of each dark plate, giving a starburst pattern | A strongly domed shell with a burst of fine yellow lines on each dark plate, and scutes that rise into low pyramids |
| Diet | Grasses, leaves, flowers, and fallen fruit | Grasses, fallen leaves and fruit, flowers, and succulent plants, with the occasional bit of carrion |
| Range | Dry forest, scrub, and grassland in central Myanmar | Dry scrub, thorn forest, semi-desert, and grassland across much of India, southeastern Pakistan, and Sri Lanka |
| Pet trade | Was collected in huge numbers for the pet trade and for food, and had almost vanished from the wild by the early twenty-first century | Tens of thousands are poached from the wild every year, especially for East and Southeast Asia |
| Protection | Captive breeding in Myanmar has raised thousands of tortoises, and young ones are released into guarded sanctuaries | Moved to CITES Appendix I in 2019, banning commercial international trade in wild-caught individuals |
| Conservation status | Critically Endangered, though increasing | Vulnerable |
Burmese Star Tortoise vs Indian Star Tortoise: common questions
Which star tortoise is Critically Endangered?
The Burmese star tortoise, which was almost wiped out in the wild by the pet trade and is now recovering through captive breeding.
Which one lives in India?
The Indian star tortoise, which lives across much of India, southeastern Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
What does CITES Appendix I do?
It bans commercial international trade in wild-caught animals, and the Indian star tortoise was moved to it in 2019.