Our Star Tortoise Breeders
by dennistort.com
On April 16, 2006, we produced our very first IST hatchling. We named him Cracker. This was a very special moment with a lot of firsts. Bashful, our very first tortoise laid her first clutch of eggs which produced our first ever captive-bred tortoise! This section shows Cracker, our first hatchling, and his mother, Bashful as well as our other adult Indian Star tortoises. We had Bashful since 1999 and here you'll see her growth up until she reached adulthood and produced her very own offspring, Cracker.
Our First Captive-Bred Tortoise
Date: Feb 14, 2010
On December 8, 2005, my female Indian Star tortoise laid 3 eggs. Though there were 2 male stars in the group, I didn't have high hopes that the eggs are fertile since this is their first clutch. But on April 19, 2006, as soon as I woke up, I took a peek at the egg container like any other day. I couldn't believe what I saw! One of the eggs was partly cracked and a tortoise head was peeking out! I quickly grabbed my video camera and a fresh mini-DV and took photos and videos all morning. I didn't care that I showed up late for work that day. I've been waiting for this moment since 1999!
This is Cracker, our first captive-bred Star tortoise still in his partially cracked egg. In the middle photo, you can see his yolk sac. The right most photo is with his mother where you can see the size difference. Adult female Stars aren't very big and lay an average of 3 eggs per clutch, and 1-2 clutches per year.
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Photos of Cracker with his mother, Bashful
Date: Feb 12, 2010
Bashful and Cracker are both very special. Bashful is our first tortoise, and Cracker is Bashful's first hatchling.
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April 2006 - The hatchling started to eat as soon as the yolk sac was fully absorbed after around 3-5 days
April 2006 - The hatchling started to eat as soon as the yolk sac was fully absorbed after around 3-5 days
October 2006 - Only a few months old, the size difference between Cracker and Bashful is still huge.
October 2006 - Only a few months old, the size difference between Cracker and Bashful is still huge.
February 2010 - Cracker, who turned out to be a male Star tortoise has now reached his adult size of around 5 inches. Notice his long tail at the right. Bashful has a shorter tail and is bigger at around 8.5 inches.
February 2010 - Cracker, who turned out to be a male Star tortoise has now reached his adult size of around 5 inches. Notice his long tail at the right. Bashful has a shorter tail and is bigger at around 8.5 inches.
Growth of a Star Tortoise Hatchling
Date: Nov 15, 2009
Cracker compared to my hand in a span of several months and years
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April 30, 2006. Its shell is still deformed right after hatching.
April 30, 2006. Its shell is still deformed right after hatching.
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May 12, 2006. After a few weeks, its shell had straightened out.
May 12, 2006. After a few weeks, its shell had straightened out.
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August 2006
August 2006
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September 2006. Male Star tortoises, like Cracker only reach an adult size of 5-6 inches, whereas females can grow up to 10-12 inches. His growth is very slow compared to our Sulcatas and Radiatas.
September 2006. Male Star tortoises, like Cracker only reach an adult size of 5-6 inches, whereas females can grow up to 10-12 inches. His growth is very slow compared to our Sulcatas and Radiatas.
August 2007
August 2007
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June 2008
June 2008
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Nearly at his adult size at around 5 inches on November 2009, more than 3 years later.
Nearly at his adult size at around 5 inches on November 2009, more than 3 years later.
Old Photos of Our Adult Star Tortoises
Date: May 4, 2009
On December 28, 1999, I got my very first tortoise which I named Bashful! Our Star tortoises took a long time to grow unlike our Sulcatas and Radiatas. It takes about 5 years for them to reach adult size, which is an average of around 5 inches for males, and 9 inches for females.
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Bashful, my first ever tortoise purchased on December 28, 1999
Bashful, my first ever tortoise purchased on December 28, 1999
Geochelone elegans eventually outgrowing my hand after 5 years
Geochelone elegans eventually outgrowing my hand after 5 years
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Bashful compared to a one peso coin.
Bashful compared to a one peso coin.
This is Happy, our other adult female Star tortoise. She could easily fit inside this basket when we got her. After a few years, only her head can fit inside! It is difficult to notice their growth when you see them everyday but these photos say it all!
This is Happy, our other adult female Star tortoise. She could easily fit inside this basket when we got her. After a few years, only her head can fit inside! It is difficult to notice their growth when you see them everyday but these photos say it all!
Happy (left) and Bashful (right) in a photo studio set-up, 2004
Happy (left) and Bashful (right) in a photo studio set-up, 2004
Happy dragging along a plastic chair with him! November, 2007.
Happy dragging along a plastic chair with him! November, 2007.
Scanned Pictures from 1999 to 2000
Date: May 4, 2009
Digital cameras were not yet popular back then so I took photos using analogue cameras and had them developed. Here are scanned pictures of our first few tortoises from 1999 to 2000. I had 7 Indian stars so I conveniently named them after the seven dwarves.
This was my first terrarium set-up. I know I should not have used pebbles, but I did not know it that time.
This was my first terrarium set-up. I know I should not have used pebbles, but I did not know it that time.
6 star tortoises on a log
6 star tortoises on a log
These pictures were shot by my friend in University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City
These pictures were shot by my friend in University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City
These were my 3 most favorite photos before digital cameras
These were my 3 most favorite photos before digital cameras
Photos taken in Ateneo de Manila University
Photos taken in Ateneo de Manila University
First Video of Cracker
Date: Mar 19, 2006
Since 2006, I kept a raw digitized copy of the video. I only uploaded this video when I built this website in 2010. It's not HD quality but it serves its purpose. So here it is!
Video taken in 2006 and digitized in 2010
Candling Indian Star Tortoise Eggs
Date: Feb 21, 2006
Shown below are pictures of Bashful's eggs in a process called candling. This is done to check if the eggs are fertile. All you need is a dark room, small LED light (which I bought in Tiendesitas for P100) and a camera. Too bad, I only had a camera phone back then. The pictures didn't turn out so clear. But you can clearly see the veins!
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About Us
Soda's Tortoise Garden is a private tortoise breeding facility that is accredited by DENR and BAI (Bureau of Animal Industry) located in Metro Manila, Philippines. We don't have a physical shop but you may coordinate with us via our Facebook page. Be sure to follow our page for our latest posts and stories. Learn More
Our first TV appearance at "Rise & Shine Pilipinas" by PTV 4.