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Care sheet

Hermann's Tortoise

Testudo hermanni

Testudinidae · Testudines

BeginnerCITES IIIUCN NT
Activity
☀️ Diurnal
Temperament
Hands-off
Adult length
5–11 in
Adult weight
1000–4000 g
Lifespan (captivity)
50–75 yrs
Native range
Southern Europe / Mediterranean — Spain, France, Italy, the Balkans, Greece, W Turkey

Care guide

Overview

Hermann's Tortoise (Testudo hermanni) — a hardy, moderately sized Mediterranean tortoise and one of the best beginner tortoises. Provide a warm basking area, UVB, a mostly weed/green herbivore diet, and ideally outdoor time in warm months. Healthy adults hibernate seasonally, but this should only be done with proper-weight animals under veterinary guidance. Published lifespan estimates (75+ yrs) exceed documented longevity records; expect a multi-decade commitment regardless.

Environment

Climate

Cool side
60–75 °F
Warm side
75–85 °F
Basking spot
90–95 °F
Nighttime
60–70 °F
Humidity (ambient)
40–75%

Environment

UVB lighting

Required?
Yes — provide UVB
Fixture type
T5 HO
Replacement interval
Every 12 months

Housing

Enclosure

Orientation
Terrestrial
Bioactive setup
Suitable
Minimum size by life stage
  • HatchlingNot specified
  • JuvenileNot specified
  • AdultOutdoor pen preferred in warm months; indoor minimum ~4x2 ft with solid opaque sides

Housing

Substrate

Safe options
organic topsoilcoconut coirplay sand blend
Avoid
pinecedar

Nutrition

Diet & feeding

Dietary type
Herbivore
Feeding frequency by life stage
  • AdultFresh high-fiber greens/weeds offered daily
Supplementation

Supplemental calcium essential, especially indoors. Favor broadleaf weeds/clovers; limit fruit and high-protein items.

Care

Water & behavior

Water

Shallow water dish always available (no drowning risk).

Soaking behavior

Soak hatchlings/juveniles in lukewarm water 3-4x weekly, 15-20 min.

Legal & ecology

Conservation

CITES
Appendix II
IUCN Red List
NT · Near Threatened
Wild populations

Near Threatened; CITES Appendix II / EU Annex A. Hermann's DO hibernate (~3 months at 40-50F, only healthy proper-weight animals under vet guidance).

Citations

Sources

Every husbandry parameter on this page is backed by the references below. Click through to read the originals.

  1. Basic Information Sheet: Hermann's Tortoise

    LafeberVet (Pollock DVM, Kanis)

    veterinary

    Size, temps 60-85F / basking 90-95F / night 40-75F, humidity 40-75, UVB, >90% herbivore, hibernation, CITES II, IUCN NT.

    Published: 2015-03-18

  2. Hermann's Tortoise Care Sheet

    Swiftail Exotic Telemedicine Veterinary Services

    veterinary

    Enclosure >=4x2 ft, substrate (avoid pine/cedar), temps, T5HO UVB, calcium, soaking, brumation under vet guidance.

    Published: 2025-06-01

  3. Testudo hermanni — Hermann's Tortoise (Chelonian Research Monographs 5)

    IUCN/SSC Tortoise & Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group

    academic

    Range, Near Threatened status, CITES/EU protections, threats.

    Published: 2011-01-01