Geochelone elegans (Schoepff, 1795) Indian Star Tortoise	Diagnostic characters:
	A star like pattern on both carapace and plastron; shell elongate in adults and rounded in juvenile; domed dorsally with flattened sides; weak tooth with two or three cusps in upper jaw; several distinct conical tubercles on thigh; carapace and plastron star-marked with a pattern of dark-brown or black on yellow, superimposed dark colour especially prominent in juveniles. Carapace: 350mm.
	Habit and Habitat:
	Inhabits in scrub forests and edged of deserts, agricultural fields, forests of teak, grassland and thorn shrubs.
	Diet:
	Largely herbivorous, known to eat various species of plants, although also scavenge on animal matter
	Legal Protection:
	WL (P) A, 1972- None.
	Conservation status and Threats:
	Least Concern. Uncommon. Loss of habitat and trade.
	Distribution: Madhya Pradesh: Nimach (GWS) and Mandsour. Elsewhere in India: North western, South-eastern and Southern India. Elsewhere outside: Pakistan and Sri Lanka