Update on my Star
 

Hi guys,

After not having posted for a couple of years I thought I'd share an update on my Indian Star that is now 4 years and 9 months old. I named him Izzy since I was told it was most likely female, although difficult to tell at around 5 months, but he has since began flashing us his willy!

So he's now around 6 inches scute length and has been hovering at around 500-520g for a few months now - I'm trying to get him to eat more, any suggestions? Does this sound like a healthy weight/size ratio? You can see some pyramiding in this pic, I've heard stars are really tough to keep smooth, but I'm more concerned about his health than his looks - is this a normal amount of pyramiding?

http://i1153.photobucket.com/albums/...e/IMG_2675.jpg

http://i1153.photobucket.com/albums/...e/IMG_2679.jpg

http://i1153.photobucket.com/albums/...e/IMG_2676.jpg

http://i1153.photobucket.com/albums/...e/IMG_2678.jpg

He sometimes has a bit of a limp in his back left leg, but it doesn't stop him running around - he can scoot about quite fast! It's more of a slight gangsta lean than a limp...

http://i1153.photobucket.com/albums/...e/IMG_2680.jpg

http://i1153.photobucket.com/albums/...e/IMG_2682.jpg

He's been in this viv since I got him - I've always had the sliding doors around 4 inches open at either side for air flow, never had any issues. I've recently had to fix them in place because once he climbed up, pushed open the doors and fell out!

http://i1153.photobucket.com/albums/...e/IMG_2674.jpg

The viv I think is 36" by 18", I know it's small but he gets to roam about my house every day and has a bath most days.

Since I got him his log hide at the cool end of his viv, he barely comes out, and when I put him back in his viv, he always goes straight for it - is this ok? He's certainly getting less UV and heat since I put the hide in, any advice appreciated.

Warm end: ~37C
Cool end: ~25C

Night-time hours 11pm-9am, temp: ~20C

Any feedback would be great, thanks

ahhhh isn't Izzy gorgeous. he should be a pin up !!! Yes, I thought all Indian Stars pyramid to an extent that's part of their attraction isn't it. I think Izzy is fantastic and what a lovely series of photographs, CB

Thanks Cherry Brandy!

I've recently moved house in the past 2 weeks and since the move he's not really eaten much at all, especially in the last 4-5 days - I'm giving him fresh weeds every day like I've always done but recently he's been ignoring them, whereas before he'd be straight over to the bowl and demolish the whole lot. Any ideas about how I can get him to start eating again?

I assume it's the move that has caused the change - he doesn't seem stressed out though, and stomps happily around the new house to explore, he just seems to have lost his appetite...

I sometimes wonder whether they are too excited and interested to eat. when I got my new little one she didn't come out for days and now she does circuits round the pen. I think they contemplate and try out new surroundings and when feel safe will eat. Im not knowledgeable on Stars, they only thing I suggest is perhaps weigh him just in case it does continue. He does look a super tort! CB

As you have found out, tortoises don't like change just like us. Provided he she is acting normally, then he/she will eat when they are ready. Food is not that important, as if food is available, no healthy tortoise will starve. Keeping him/her hydrated is far more important than food.

Izzy looks a proper little character!
I noticed he has some wear patches underneath his shell and wondered if this may be connected to the limping you mentioned? Is he finding it difficult to get over objects? It may just be worn from something he is repeatedly rubbing against in or out of his set up though, did he climb a rough step or anything in your old home? Just thinking out loud, sorry went off topic a bit!!

Thanks for responses guys

Alleycat, he's had those 'wear patches' for as long as I can remember, he certainly doesnt have issues climbing over things - maybe just from rubbing against things over time?

I've cleaned his tank and given him new soil - maybe that will help him, but he's gone straight back into his hidey hole - I'll keep him hydrated and weeds available.

Just dipped under 500g today to 499 :(, he was around 510...

mmmm, don't worry too much , seems a lot but isn't really over a period. Whats his humidity? I would check that out? I do wonder sometimes about the high temps. There is a view that high temps cause inactivity. (even with non meds) I have always kept mine lower end , I don't tend to go above 30 and have always had v active torts and when they go out they are used to a cooler climate. Not sure with I.Stars though as never had one, maybe need a bit more research. I would like to see more picks soon though cause he is so lovely. CB