Western Hermann's Tortoise (Testudo hermanni hermanni)
| Western Hermann's Tortoise Testudo hermanni hermanni | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Western Hermann's Tortoise |
| Name Lat. | Testudo hermanni hermanni |
| Family | Tortoises |
| Family lat. | Testudinidae |
| Order | Turtles |
| Order lat. | Testudines |
| Origin | SW-Europe |
| Habitat | Forests, shrubland |
| Diet | Herbs, veggies, grass, hay |
| Humidity | 40-60 % |
| Behavior | ♂ semi-aggressive |
| Keeping | Individual, harem |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Oviparous |
| Housing | Dry terrarium |
| Life Span | 40-50 years |
| Protection | CITES Appendix II; EU Annex A |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 20-25 cm |
| Temperature | 25-30 °C |
| Temperature Local | 35-40 °C |
| Housing Size | 200 x 100 x 50 cm |
| US Units | |
| Size | 7.9"-9.8" |
| Temperature | 77-86 °F |
| Temperature Local | 95-104 °F |
| Housing Size | 80" x 40" x 20" |
Distribution and habitat
The Greek tortoises, Testudo hermanni hermanni, are common in northeastern Spain, southern France, northern Italy, Corsica and Sardinia. They inhabit the mostly dry evergreen oak forests and hilly scrubland (maquis), but also fields and gardens.
Maintenance
Minimum dimensions for the terrarium, according to the size and number of animals
| 1-2 animals | 8PL x 4PL (L x W) |
The carapace length (PL) is measured on the largest animal. For each additional animal the footprint has to be increased by10 %, from the 5th animal on by 20 %. A terrarium of e.g.200 x 100 x 50 cm is recommended, which should be placed in a quiet and vibration-free place.
You will need a spacious terrarium, structured with branches, robust plants and stones, with a burrowable 15-25 cm deep substrate, e.g. of sand-clay-gravel mixture, and a large, shallow, easy-to-clean water basin. A small portion of the substrate should always be kept slightly moist. In the case of group housing, separate roosting areas should be provided and suitable measures for visual separation should be implemented
| Temp. day: 25-30 °C | Temp. night: 18-22 °C | Temp. local: 35-40 °C | Humidity: 40-60 |
Thermostatically controlled floor heating is recommended. Lighting duration must be 10-14 hrs, depending on the season. They need high light intensity and daily UV irradiation as well as sunny places with radiant heat.
Diet
They are omnivores, but they feed almost exclusively vegetarian. The diet consists of a wide range of wild herbs (plantain, dandelion, parsley, etc.), hay and hay dressings, clover, sweet grasses, mushrooms and vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, cabbage leaves, cucumbers, zucchini and carrots, supplemented with commercial ready-made food for tortoises. Occasionally they require small amounts of animal protein, such as earthworms, snails or grasshoppers, and small pieces of hard-boiled egg. Fruit should be fed sparingly and infrequently because of the fructose content. Regular addition of minerals and vitamins is important. They drink very much (drinking is done through the nose), accordingly, sufficient drinking water must always be available.
A varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.
Reproduction and breeding
Males have a concave ventral carapace and the anal opening of the male is closer to the tip of the tail than in the female
Mating takes place immediately before and after hibernation. Eggs (2-12 pieces) are laid between June and August, at a maximum depth of 20 cm, on a sandy, southeast-facing site. The incubation period is 60-90 days at 25-30 °C. Juveniles require higher humidity (60-80%). Life expectancy can be 40-50 years.
Species protection
The animal population must be reported in writing to the competent authority immediately after the start of keeping. Subsequently, all arrivals and departures must be reported
Species protection: WA Appendix II; EU Appendix A. You will receive a certificate with a picture of the animal for clear identification and a proof of purchase as proof of origin upon purchase
Your pet store will be happy to provide you with further information.
Important
Testudo hermanni hermanni has a continuous black band along the middle seam of the abdominal carapace and the middle seam of the breast shield is always smaller than that of the leg shield. In summer they can be kept well in an outdoor enclosure, protected from damp cold (shelter house) (min. 15 °C during the day, min. 10 °C at night). Hibernation lasts 3-5 months at 4-8 °C, depending on the origin of the animals. The terrarium must have good ventilation without drafts and meet the species-specific needs. Measuring devices such as thermometers, hygrometers etc. are necessary. The lighting has to correspond to the species-specific day-night rhythm and has to be placed in such a way that the animals cannot injure themselves. The terrarium should be locked in such a way that neither unauthorized persons can open it nor the animals can escape. Contamination must be removed regularly. Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: Christian Sänger; Image: petdata
Source: BMELV (1997): Tierschutzgutachten - Mindestanforderungen an die Haltung von ReptilienENGELMANN (2006): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Reptilien und Amphibien, Harri Deutsch Verlag; ROGNER (2009): Taschenatlas Schildkröten, Verlag Ulmer
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF