...Another Star ID ....please...

[N2TORTS]

Shining Stars in the light of day! LQQK at these two beautys....
In an experts opinion, what * SPECIES* type do you ID this pair as? They are CB
9 years old.

JD~:shy:

 

[DonaTello's-Mom]

Ummm..I think...very pretty stars!!

 

[tortoise_lover]

very nice star.. both female aren't?

 

[N2TORTS]

very nice star.. both female aren't?

No .... these are a breeding pair, She produced two clutches last year . The male is the "More Lined" one ... and is a bit smaller.

 

[DonaTello's-Mom]

The females are usually larger in stars, right JD?

 

[N2TORTS]

The females are usually larger in stars, right JD?

Yes they are .... and show true "sexual dimorphism"
Also .. as others have noticed as well as myself , the males tend to have more "stripes" and finer lines than the females. But thats not proven, just an observation.
JD~

 

[DonaTello's-Mom]

Meaning that, although the same species can physically be very different? I'm learning!

 

[N2TORTS]

Meaning that, although the same species can physically be very different? I'm learning!

"sexual dimorphism"
is a term used to descibe animals that have differences in the "make up" between individuals of different sex in the same species. Examples include colour (specifically referred to as sexual dichromatism), size, and the presence or absence of parts of the body used in courtship displays or fights, such as ornamental feathers, horns, antlers or tusks.
and in the case of * Stars* ... size is the factor.
JD~

 

[elegans]

Nice looking pair of stars, though the male as pictured does not show much in the way of dimorphism yet. Males usually show a much more elongated tail. It looks like he may be hiding it. Do you know who produced them? They look to be pretty young. I can promise you they become wildly different the older they get. They females will practically dwarf even the largest males at least in Indians and SriLankans. Burmese I am told are are not quite so different, but I have only had mine for 5 years so far so i'll get back to you on that in another 5. LOL Thanks for sharing the picts. Douglas

 

[N2TORTS]

Nice looking pair of stars, though the male as pictured does not show much in the way of dimorphism yet. Males usually show a much more elongated tail. It looks like he may be hiding it. Do you know who produced them? They look to be pretty young. I can promise you they become wildly different the older they get. They females will practically dwarf even the largest males at least in Indians and SriLankans. Burmese I am told are are not quite so different, but I have only had mine for 5 years so far so i'll get back to you on that in another 5. LOL Thanks for sharing the picts. Douglas

7" inches I doubt is a young Star ( exspecially for a male) The female is slightly larger at this time ...They take anywhere from 7~9 years to reach " viable breeding size" ...you may produce eggs with younger stars ,but much more fatality rate, 1~2 eggs . And the photo dosnt really do them justice. The acutal build"of the female is much larger. This initial post was to see what you different Star keepers think What sub speices these are ... Indians vs Lankins ( wide bands .. ect ect ...I just like to see the different opinions... and yes I know where they came from,and his stock is from 20 years ago and part of the San Diego Zoo's herd. Which I belive came from... Dr.Olson in the 1990's who originaly started the program.. when the zoo recieved its first several stars in the early 90s.
JD~

And Yes .. They have produced just last year!

 

[elegans]

7" can be a fairly young male I have raised them to that size in 6 to 7 years. I have had a female lay fertile eggs at 5 1/2 years old that was over 7". BTW the person that really started the SriLankan breeding program in the USA was John Grigus. FYI Best wishes as always Douglas

 

[N2TORTS]

7" can be a fairly young male I have raised them to that size in 6 to 7 years. I have had a female lay fertile eggs at 5 1/2 years old that was over 7". BTW the person that really started the SriLankan breeding program in the USA was John Grigus. FYI Best wishes as always Douglas

,,,,yes ... I agree on all of what you have stated....I guess 9 years is young for a tort~