Hermann Tortoise

Hermann Tortoise

(Testudo hermanni) 

Max size: Adults usually range from 5-8" with females being larger than males

Temperament Usually Docile, timid

Life span Up to 90 years

Day temperature A temperature of around 32C - 38C in the basking area and 15C - 22C at the cooler end of the enclosure.

Night temperature no lower than 19-22C

Lighting Desert strength UVB for 12-14 hours per day

Humidity 85% for hatchlings and 60% for adults

Diet Your tortoise's diet consists of vegetation such as dandelion, clover, leafy salads, watercress, curly kale, spring greens, coriander, parsley, rocket, carrot, parsnip, courgette and bell peppers. The bulk of the vegetation should be leafy greens. If you are unsure if something is safe or not for your tortoise to eat then you should always check to make sure it is before offering it.

Enclosure Wooden vivariums are a great choice as they are good at retaining heat. The wooden vivarium should have good ventilation to allow air flow in and out of the enclosure. The vivarium should be at least 34" in length for a juvenile and 46" for an adult. The enclosure needs to be hot at one end, but have enough distance for the temperature to drop at the cool end. Tortoise tables may be used but as they insulate no heat they are only recommended for use in houses that are naturally warm. The table should be at least 35" long.

Community Tortoises can be considered a communal species, although many aspects need to be considered before doing so. Males and females are better kept separately except for breeding purposes. Males may also fight with other males for dominance if they are housed together. If you do house multiple Hermann tortoises in the same enclosure you must be prepared to separate if any problems do arise. Hermann tortoises should never be kept with any other species of tortoise except other Hermann tortoises.

Sexing Male Hermann tortoises do not have a noticeable concave belly like many tortoises do, and they have much larger tails.

Breeding Hermann tortoises begin mating immediately after hibernation, which ends in late February. Females build nests by digging into the ground and then deposit their eggs several centimetres deep in the soil. Clutch sizes can range from 2-12 eggs and more than 1 clutch can be produced in 1 season. Eggs can be laid in approximately 4-6 weeks from a successful mating.

Russell McRae