Keeping a Hermann's Tortoise as a Pet

If you’re considering adopting a tortoise, read on. Just like their furry counterparts, reptile species can differ greatly in their needs and preferences, from environment to diet, with some proving harder to keep than others. However, tortoises are relatively easy to care for, with the Hermann's tortoise considered one of the best options for newcomers to the tortoise world. Take a moment to get acquainted with the world of Hermann's tortoises.

Chief Traits of the Hermann's Tortoise

The Hermann's tortoise is a European native, commonly found in warm, sunny countries such as Spain, Greece, Turkey, Italy, and France. Fully-grown adults may be anywhere from seven to eleven inches long. Hermann's tortoises are known for their strong legs, and striking yellow-and-brown shell coloration.

Unlike some turtles and tortoises, the Hermann's tortoise likes to stay active. You'll enjoy watching your pet tortoise dig, climb, forage, and generally roam around its living space. But while this tortoise is gentle with humans, males can act aggressively toward its own kind, especially during breeding seasons. For this reason, you might find it easier to raise a single Hermann's tortoise.

Keep in mind that these members of the animal kingdom can represent quite a long-term commitment for pet owners. A healthy Hermann's tortoise can easily live 75 years with proper care. If that thought gives you cause for concern, you might want to adopt a shorter-lived pet instead.

Enclosure and Temperature Considerations

Hermann's tortoises do much better outdoors than indoors as a general rule. A fenced backyard can serve nicely as long as it safeguards your tortoise against dogs and other potential predators.

As a native of Mediterranean areas, the Hermann's tortoise prefers it warm or even hot. The ideal outdoor environment for this animal features average temperatures in the 80s (Fahrenheit) and humidity levels of 25 percent or higher. If the temperature drops to 50 or below, your tortoise will probably go into hibernation, a state which can prove problematic for pet owners.

If your natural environment can't offer these conditions, you'll want to set up an indoor tortoise enclosure that’s at least four feet by two feet. In addition to a heat lamp, this enclosure should feature lighting that can provide both visible light and the UV rays tortoises need to produce their daily supply of vitamin D. A wooden enclosure will trap more warmth than one made of other materials. Fill the bottom two inches of the enclosure with a bedding of sand, soil, wood chips, and a few rocks and bushes.

Feeding Your Hermann's Tortoise

Thankfully, you won't have to feed your Hermann's tortoise a diet or dead or living prey. These foragers are happy to dine on a wide range of vegetation. The main tortoise food staples include grasses, leafy greens, and even weeds. Supplements formulated for tortoises are another daily essential. Your pet will also appreciate treats such as broccoli, cauliflower, peaches, carrots, grapes, cucumber, apricots, apples, and strawberries.

Of course, your tortoise will also need free access to clean drinking water. Keep a shallow pan filled with filtered water, making sure to clean and refill the pan regularly. to encourage proper water intake and excretion, bathe your Hermann's tortoise for about ten minutes a couple of times per week.

Handling and Interaction

Although Hermann's tortoises don't especially relish being handled, they'll put up with gentle petting. Don't lift your tortoise off the ground if at all possible, as it may get agitated with all four feet in midair. Once this intelligent creature understands that you are its owner, it will allow you to feed it by hand, bathe it, and move it around as needed.

Hermann’s Tortoise Health and Wellness

Tortoises can fall prey to some serious diseases and disorders that their owners should be aware of. For instance, malnutrition and/or lack of UV exposure can cause metabolic bone disease in which the bones become weak and the shell develops pyramid-shaped bumps. Other common tortoise health issues include respiratory infections, digestive parasites, shell infections, accumulations of urinary stones in the cloaca, shell rot, and skin or mouth abscesses.

If your Hermann's tortoise displays symptoms such as pyramiding of the shell structure, shell pitting or ulcerations, weight loss, diarrhea, breathing difficulties, swollen eyes or ears, or trouble producing bowel movements, it should receive immediate evaluation by a veterinarian. You should also get any obvious shell injuries looked at right away, since this kind of damage can lead to dangerous bone infections.

Your Hermann's Tortoise Needs the Right Veterinarian

As with other pets that fall outside of the usual realm of dogs and cats, Hermann's tortoises require care from a veterinarian who specializes in exotic animals. In particular, make sure that you select an exotic animal vet with experience in diagnosing and treating reptiles. Any extra research or travel you have to deal with is more than outweighed by the relief you'll feel once you know your new pet's health is being properly managed. Don't hesitate to ask the vet for home care tips and insights so you can give your tortoise the highest possible quality of life!