Indotestudo Photo Thread

MichaelaW

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May I ask why your fav? They are a fascinating species without question, I am unfortunately ignorant of their specifics
They are critically endangered in their native habitat, although not yet listed on the IUCN as such. They lay only 1-2 eggs per clutch which makes the them incredibly vulnerable. Despite their status, they are not a popular species among conservationists. I also think they are such a stunning and beautiful species, and the first time I laid eyes on them I was hooked.
 

richosullivan

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Wow!!! I love the dark color and pattern on the shell of this beauty -- thanks for sharing!

I love how her dark shell contrasts with her light green head. She was like that even when she was little, which is what I think attracted me to her.
 

Tom

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This thread is making me want to try Indotestudo. Ive always liked them, but my area is too hot and way too dry, so I've never tried them.

What are their personalities like? Do they compare to the personality of any other species that I might be more familiar with?
 

Tom

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This thread is making me want to try Indotestudo. Ive always liked them, but my area is too hot and way too dry, so I've never tried them.

What are their personalities like? Do they compare to the personality of any other species that I might be more familiar with?
 

KevinGG

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This thread is making me want to try Indotestudo. Ive always liked them, but my area is too hot and way too dry, so I've never tried them.

What are their personalities like? Do they compare to the personality of any other species that I might be more familiar with?

Me too! Stayed up researching forstenii, joined the indotestudo FB page, and started looking for some babies. Realized I was moving a little fast, so going to give it some time.

Personality-wise they seem to be very aggressive and active mostly at night. I hope someone describes them more enticingly than I just did.
 
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richosullivan

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Me too! Stayed up researching forstenii, joined the indotestudo FB page, and started looking for some babies. Realized I was moving a little fast, so going to give it some time.

Personality-wise they seem to be very aggressive and active mostly at night. I hope someone describes them more enticingly than I just did.

I tend to find mine out at either 5-7 am, and then again from 6-8pm - unless I throw out some mazuri, then she comes running out from her pile of leaves that she burys herself under. I also catch her turning over some of the logs I have in her enclosure and digging up bugs/grubs.

I have a small waterfall in her enclosure and she likes to sit underneath it, and then drink the falling water.

And when I go into her enclosure in the late afternoon, she comes out sometimes and follows me around - feel like she is hoping I have some food to drop for her, and once she realizes I don't she runs back over to her leaves and disappears.

Being in Florida, I think I have pretty good weather conditions, and she can stay out almost the entire year - I have 1 or 2 nights maybe where she goes in her night box for the full night, otherwise she is pretty content digging down a little deeper when the air gets colder.

She is my only one, so haven't seen or experienced any of the aggression, though I have seen some other posts where people have mentioned it - would love to see some video of that behavior (not to see any tort get bullied) but just to get a better idea of what it looks like/is all about.
 

KevinGG

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I tend to find mine out at either 5-7 am, and then again from 6-8pm - unless I throw out some mazuri, then she comes running out from her pile of leaves that she burys herself under. I also catch her turning over some of the logs I have in her enclosure and digging up bugs/grubs.

I have a small waterfall in her enclosure and she likes to sit underneath it, and then drink the falling water.

And when I go into her enclosure in the late afternoon, she comes out sometimes and follows me around - feel like she is hoping I have some food to drop for her, and once she realizes I don't she runs back over to her leaves and disappears.

Being in Florida, I think I have pretty good weather conditions, and she can stay out almost the entire year - I have 1 or 2 nights maybe where she goes in her night box for the full night, otherwise she is pretty content digging down a little deeper when the air gets colder.

She is my only one, so haven't seen or experienced any of the aggression, though I have seen some other posts where people have mentioned it - would love to see some video of that behavior (not to see any tort get bullied) but just to get a better idea of what it looks like/is all about.

Here you go:
 

KevinGG

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Is the aggression mostly around courtship, or does it occur frequently outside of courtship?

From what I've heard/read, they are best kept individually because they can be constantly aggressive, but some people keep groups. Probably depends on size of enclosure, design, and particular individuals.
 
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MichaelaW

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This thread is making me want to try Indotestudo. Ive always liked them, but my area is too hot and way too dry, so I've never tried them.

What are their personalities like? Do they compare to the personality of any other species that I might be more familiar with?
They are incredibly aggressive, to the point of being homicidal. I can't compare the aggression to any other species since complete decapitation can and has happened. It can depend on the individual, but they should be housed separately and introduced only for closely monitored courtship. They are definitely highly crepuscular and have a very alert and perky personality. They quickly become very accustomed to and interested in human presence. I love their individual personalities as they are quite unique. I am publishing an article in this years TTPG BATAGUR which includes much more detail on the species. Feel free to ask me any questions either here or through a PM.
 

Gillian M

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This is Daosavan basking. I have had her for almost 2 years and she had grown more then 4cm. She is not very comfortable with people or other torts. I did well to get this photo without her retreating into her shell. She doesn't keep to the normal elongated routine and is often active into mid morning and rarely in the evening, compared to my other Elongateds which function like a clock. She came from a rural market, so I can with certain limit the geographical area she originates from. Sadly the forest where she came from is rapidly disappearing.

View attachment 150498

View attachment 150499
He's so cute! GOD bless.
 

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