How to Draw an Indian Star Tortoise

In this quick tutorial you'll learn how to draw an Indian Star Tortoise in 6 easy steps - great for kids and novice artists.

The images above represent how your finished drawing is going to look and the steps involved.

Below are the individual steps - you can click on each one for a High Resolution printable PDF version.

At the bottom you can read some interesting facts about the Indian Star Tortoise.

Make sure you also check out any of the hundreds of drawing tutorials grouped by category.

How to Draw an Indian Star Tortoise - Step-by-Step Tutorial

Step 1: Draw a rough circle with an opening at the top for the head of the tortoise

Step 2: Draw detail to the head. Draw eyes, the mouth, and then draw detail to the face

Step 3: Draw the body. The shell is roughly symettrical, so try your best to copy the designm but feel free to make the own.

Step 4: Draw the right leg by drawing the outline of the leg first, and then add detail to the leg by drawing little half-circles. Also, add a line to finish the sheel of the tortoise.

Step 5: Draw the right leg, which is similar to the left leg

Step 6: Draw the hind leg, which is nothing more than a little squiggle at the back of the tortoise.

Interesting Facts about the Indian Star Tortoise

The Indian star tortoise is found in dry areas and scrub forests of India and the island of Sri Lanka. They bear a radiating pattern on their carapace (hard upper shell). The Indian star tortoise has a high tolerance for seasonally wet and dry habitats. They weigh from 1 to 6.6 kilograms (7.20 to 14.54 pounds) and grow from 15 to 38 centimeters (5.91 to 14.96 inches) long. Indian star tortoise eggs have a hard but brittle shell, and the sex determination is temperature dependent. Males usually form when the eggs are incubated between 28 to 30 degrees Celsius, and females usually form when the temperature is between 31 to 32 degrees Celsius. Indian star tortoises are herbivorous and eat grasses, leaves, fruit, and flowers.

Did you know?

  • The Indian star tortoise is popular in the exotic pet trade.
  • Indian star tortoise eggs hatch after 90 to 170 days.
  • Indian star tortoise hatchlings weigh 25 to 45 grams and are independent from birth.
  • Eggs have a high mortality rate; they have various predators like birds, large reptiles, and an assortment of mammals.
  • Adults have a typical lifespan of 35 to 80 years.

Lesson plan note: Give each child a cut out of a tortoise. Have the children draw patterns on the tortoise’s back (the carapace). Then, they can color their tortoise using markers, crayons, or colored pencils. Have the children show the classroom their patterns once everyone is done.

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