🐢 Hermann’s Tortoise (Testudo hermanni) Care Sheet

Difficulty: Beginner to intermediate
Lifespan: 50+ years
Adult Size: 6–8 inches (females slightly larger)
Enclosure Size: 4x2 ft minimum indoors; larger outdoor space preferred
Temperament: Generally calm, curious, and active during the day

🏡 Housing

• Enclosure Type: Secure indoor tortoise table or outdoor pen with shelter

• Substrate: A suitable soil substrate such as tortoise life, or straw pellets.

• Décor: Flat rocks, logs, hides, edible plants, shaded areas

• Outdoor Enclosure: Escape-proof walls, predator protection, varied terrain

🌡️ Temperature & Lighting

• Basking Spot: 32–35°C (90–95°F)

• Cool Side: 20–24°C (68–75°F)

• Night Temp: No lower than 15°C (59°F)

• UVB Lighting: Essential for indoor setups (10–12 hours/day)

• Outdoor Access: Natural sunlight highly beneficial during warm months

💧 Humidity

• Humidity Range: 40–60%

• Soaking: Offer shallow soak 2–3 times per week (more for hatchlings)

• Water Dish: Shallow dish available at all times

🍽️ Feeding

• Diet: Herbivorous – mainly leafy greens, weeds, flowers (e.g., dandelion, plantain, clover)

• Avoid: Fruit, high-protein foods, or iceberg lettuce

• Calcium: Provide cuttlebone and calcium supplement on food. Vitamins weekly.

• Feeding Frequency: Daily, remove uneaten food

✋ Handling

• Tolerates handling but prefers minimal disturbance

• Always support the body; never dangle

• Outdoors: supervise to prevent escapes or accidents

⚠️ Things to Watch For

• Signs of respiratory infection: wheezing, bubbles from nose

• Pyramiding (raised shell growth) from poor diet/humidity

• A hibernation period in winter is probably beneficial for long-term health (if healthy and properly prepared)