Hermani

Testudo hermanni

Each has its own license and unique passport and is 100% legal. Passports contain photograph of each tortoises unique carapace and each has its own number which is same as on its passport.

Our suppliers promise that they are all captive bred and the come complete with full passports and paperwork.

Other Names: May sometimes be called a Mediterranean tortoise. Hermann's tortoise is considered part of a group of tortoises sometimes called Mediterranean tortoises, comprised of multiple Testudo species - including Hermann's tortoise, and the spur thighed tortoise.

Life Span: Up to 75 years or more.

Size: 6-8 inches.

Feeding: Diet should consist largely of leafy greens and grasses and fruits as an occasional treat. In the wild they will take some insects, slugs, and carrion, but feeding of these is not necessary and too much animal protein is harmful (never feed dog or cat food).

Supplements: Use a calcium and vitamin D3 supplement on the food such as Nutrobal.

Housing - Outdoors: House outdoors if possible. Day time temperatures should be 80-86 F (27-30 C), and can fall to 65-70 F (18-21 C) at night. These small tortoises are pretty active and can climb and burrow well, so the pen should be escape-proof. Shelter from extremes of weather is necessary, and give protection from predators. A shallow pan of water can be sunk into the ground for easy access. A tortoise needs to immerse his head to drink as he has no pallette.

Housing - Indoors: A fairly large enclosure is necessary (2 feet by 4 feet min). A soil/sand mix or cypress bark can be used as a substrate. A basking light should be provided (with a basking spot at about 95 F or 35 C), with the ambient temperatures in the range mentioned above. A shallow pan of water should be provided. Tortoise "trays" can be purchased commercially. They come in 1, 2 and 3 metre lengths and can be locked to stop escapes or intrusions. Consisting of a strong wire cage with an overhead bar for lighting suspension. Airy yet safe, plenty of room and an underneath tray for the equipment. Substrate can be straw pellets, easier to keep clean, or a suitable substrate of soil sand and rock, but harder to keep clean.

Note: Needs to hibernate - but only if otherwise healthy.