Hermann's tortoise – western (Testudo hermanni hermanni)

Short answers

Hermann's tortoise – western: How big does the enclosure need to be?

An outdoor enclosure, at least ~8–10 m² for adults with a heated cold frame.

Hermann's tortoise – western: What temperature does it need?

Daytime outdoors; cold frame 25–30 °C, basking spot Basking spot / cold frame 35–40 °C, at night night-time drop to ~15–18 °C.

Hermann's tortoise – western: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (natural sunlight; UVB when kept indoors).

Hermann's tortoise – western: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 50–80+ years.

Hermann's tortoise – western: Is it suitable for beginners?

Partly – manageable with some prior knowledge (difficulty: Beginner to intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

outdoors; cold frame 25–30 °C

Night temperature

night-time drop to ~15–18 °C

Basking spot

Basking spot / cold frame 35–40 °C

Humidity

Moderate, Mediterranean (dry plus humid zones)

UVB

Essential (natural sunlight; UVB when kept indoors)

Enclosure

Minimum size

an outdoor enclosure, at least ~8–10 m² for adults with a heated cold frame

Substrate

Soil and sand with wild herbs growing, retreat zones

Feeding

Food

Fibre-rich wild herbs (no fruit and no animal food)

Feeding interval

A daily selection of plant food

Key facts

Adult size

females up to ~18–20 cm, males ~15 cm (the smaller subspecies)

Life expectancy

50–80+ years

Origin

The western Mediterranean (Spain, southern France, Italy)

Protection status

EU A (CITES II), strictly protected, registration plus an EU certificate (yellow) required

Brumation

Brumation (compulsory), ~8–14 weeks at 4–8 °C

Cohabitation

Group with a surplus of females, not permanently in pairs; males harass females. Two males harass each other and the females; under constant courtship a female visibly loses weight. One male to several females, and plan for a way to separate them.

Notes

Kept properly only in a near-natural garden enclosure with a cold frame and an annual winter dormancy. Do not feed fruit or protein.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Hermann's tortoise – western (Testudo hermanni hermanni) currently offered

• Griechische Landschildkröten Babys mit Papieren aus liebevoller Hobbyzucht – Merzig · 60 €
• Griechische Landschildkröten abzugeben – Denkendorf

See all listings in the marketplace →

Related species

• Egyptian tortoise (Testudo kleinmanni) – Intermediate to expert
• Marginated tortoise (Testudo marginata) – Beginner to intermediate
• Hermann's tortoise – Dalmatian (Testudo hermanni hercegovinensis) – Beginner
• Hermann's tortoise – eastern (Testudo hermanni boettgeri) – Beginner
• Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni) – Beginner
• Spur-thighed tortoise – Armenian (Testudo graeca armeniaca) – Intermediate
• Spur-thighed tortoise – Golan (Testudo graeca terrestris) – Intermediate
• Spur-thighed tortoise – Iberian (Testudo graeca graeca) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Hermann's tortoise – western (Testudo hermanni hermanni) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (an outdoor enclosure, at least ~8–10 m² for adults with a heated cold frame), substrate (Soil and sand with wild herbs growing, retreat zones), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.