Hermann's Tortoise — Fact Sheet

Testudo hermanni · Hermann’s Tortoise

📋 At a glance

🏠 Enclosure

• Outdoors preferred — best option during the warm season; direct sun, space, natural plants
• Outdoor minimum for one adult: several m², fully escape-proof (dig-proof base, no climbable corners)
• Indoor (juveniles, quarantine, cold season): open tortoise table, not a closed glass terrarium
• Substrate: mix of soil, sand, and clay — must allow digging, must not hold excessive moisture
• Avoid: cedar/pine shavings, cat litter, smooth/slippery surfaces

🪨 Enclosure furniture

• Dry grassy area + digging soil + shaded retreats + edible wild plants
• Flat stones and roots (no sharp edges)
• Humid hide or slightly moist corner (especially for juveniles)

💡 Lighting

• UVB essential indoors
• Best: T5 HO UVB plus separate basking heat or a measured mercury vapor system
• Outdoor direct sun is excellent; glass/plastic blocks UVB
• Photoperiod: 10-12 h with seasonal adjustment; no night light

🌡️ Temperature

• Basking spot: 32–35 °C

• Warm zone: 26–30 °C

• Cool zone: 20–24 °C

• Night: 16–20 °C

• Clear gradient required — tortoise must be able to move freely between zones

• Measure basking surface with infrared thermometer

• No heat rocks (burn risk)

💧 Humidity & water

• Not a desert species — completely dry conditions cause shell growth problems
• Shallow water dish always available (shallow enough to exit safely)
• Regular short lukewarm soaks beneficial for juveniles
• Outdoor enclosure: both dry and slightly moist shelters

🥬 Diet

Feed freely:

• Dandelion (Taraxacum spp.)
• Plantain (Plantago spp.)
• Mallow (Malva spp.)
• Mulberry leaves (Morus spp.)
• Hibiscus leaves and flowers
• Shepherd’s purse, chickweed, wild grasses and weeds
• Grapevine leaves (unsprayed)

In moderation:

• Clover (Trifolium spp.)
• Arugula, chicory, endive
• Nasturtium, rose, and calendula flowers
• Hay (timothy or meadow hay) — especially useful indoors

Avoid:

• Fruit (high sugar disrupts digestion)
• Spinach, beet leaves, dock in large amounts
• Any animal products, dairy, bread, legumes, dog/cat food
• Iceberg lettuce or cucumber as a staple

Supplements:

• Cuttlefish bone available in enclosure at all times
• Calcium dust on food (indoors) — does not replace UVB

💤 Hibernation

• Healthy adults should hibernate — it is part of the natural annual cycle
• Do not hibernate: sick, underweight, newly acquired, or very young animals
• Pre-hibernation: monitor weight, appetite, droppings; gut must be empty
• Temperature lowered gradually; suitable container with ventilation
• Consult an experienced keeper or reptile vet before the first hibernation attempt

🩺 Health — warning signs

• Soft or deformed shell → UVB/calcium deficit
• Swollen or closed eyes → infection or vitamin A deficiency
• Nasal discharge, wheezing, open-mouth breathing → respiratory infection
• Prolonged refusal to eat (outside hibernation season) → investigate immediately
• Unnaturally rapid or pyramided shell growth → diet or humidity issue
• Lethargy outside cool periods → illness

Consult a reptile-experienced vet for respiratory signs, severe weakness, injury, or prolonged anorexia.