Hermann's Tortoise Care Sheet

Hermann's Tortoise Care Sheet

Testudo hermanni
Category
Snake
Average Size
6 - 8 inches long
Average Lifespan
50+ years
Diet Type
Herbivore

Diet & Nutrition

Hermann's Tortoises should be fed grasses and mixed vegetables daily. They can be fed a variety of leafy greens such as turnip greens, collard greens, mustard greens, dandelion greens, hibiscus leaves and flowers, green onions, green beans, zucchini, frozen mixed vegetables, timothy hay, and alfalfa. Fruits should only make up about 10% of their diet.

Never Feed Lettuce! It contains no nutrition, only water and cellulose.

Hermann's Tortoises should be fed grasses and mixed vegetables daily. Dust food with calcium powder daily, & a multivitamin once a week.

Housing & Habitat

Hermann's tortoises are found throughout Southern Europe. Their habitat includes Mediterranean oak and beech forests as well as rocky hillsides, scrub lands, and meadows with heavy vegetation. Hermann's Tortoises can be kept alone or in groups. Breeding males may become aggressive and caution should be taken when housing together.

Enclosure Size

Young Hermann's Tortoises must have a minimum cage size of 36" Long x 18" Deep X 16" High. An adult should be housed in a 6' long x 3' deep enclosure.

Substrate

A variety of substrates can be used. Fir bark or dry coconut fiber are most commonly used. A sandy soil mix of 50% peat moss and 50% sand is also used with great success.

Temperature & Lighting

Temperature

A temperature gradient of 75° - 85° F should be provided with a basking area of 95° F. Nighttime temperatures can be allowed to drop to 65° F.

Lighting

Since this is a diurnal species, it requires two light bulbs. One is the heat lamp which also emits UVA. The second is a UVB lamp. The UVB lamp will specifically say UVB on the box. If the box doesn't say UVB, it's not UVB.

Plant and Fish bulbs are not UVB bulbs.

Humidity & Watering

Humidity

Humidity levels should be between 65% - 75%.

Watering

Hermann's Tortoises require a water bowl large enough to fit their entire body. The water bowl should be changed daily.

Shop Hermann's Tortoise Supplies

📄 Download Printable PDF Care Sheet

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Hermann's Tortoises eat?

Hermann's Tortoises should be fed grasses and mixed vegetables daily. They can be fed a variety of leafy greens such as turnip greens, collard greens, mustard greens, dandelion greens, hibiscus leaves and flowers, green onions, green beans, zucchini, frozen mixed vegetables, timothy hay, and alfalfa. Fruits should only make up about 10% of their diet. Never Feed Lettuce! It contains no nutrition, only water and cellulose. Hermann's Tortoises should be fed grasses and mixed vegetables daily. D...

What size enclosure does a Hermann's Tortoise need?

Hermann's tortoises are found throughout Southern Europe. Their habitat includes Mediterranean oak and beech forests as well as rocky hillsides, scrub lands, and meadows with heavy vegetation. Hermann's Tortoises can be kept alone or in groups. Breeding males may become aggressive and caution should be taken when housing together. Young Hermann's Tortoises must have a minimum cage size of 36" Long x 18" Deep X 16" High. An adult should be housed in a 6' long x 3' deep enclosure.

What temperature and lighting does a Hermann's Tortoise need?

A temperature gradient of 75° - 85° F should be provided with a basking area of 95° F. Nighttime temperatures can be allowed to drop to 65° F. Since this is a diurnal species, it requires two light bulbs. One is the heat lamp which also emits UVA. The second is a UVB lamp. The UVB lamp will specifically say UVB on the box. If the box doesn't say UVB, it's not UVB. Plant and Fish bulbs are not UVB bulbs. Humidity: Humidity levels should be between 65% - 75%.