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Hermann's Tortoise
Testudo hermanni
A small, bright, hardy Mediterranean tortoise — the classic starter tortoise, and a decades-long companion.
5–8 in50+ years
Habitat
Enclosure
4×2 ft minimum — outdoor pens in summer
Temperature
Basking 95–100°F · cool zone 70–75°F
Humidity / Water
40–60% ambient · humid hide
Heating & lighting
Halogen basking spot plus linear UVB — essential for shell growth. A cool end and a humid hide; outdoors in mild weather is ideal.
Diet
Feed these
- Dandelion and other safe weeds
- Collard and mustard greens
- Hibiscus flowers and leaves
- Grasses
- Occasional squash
Never feed
- Fruit — disrupts their gut flora
- Animal protein
- Grains
- Iceberg lettuce
Weeds and greens daily, cut small. Shallow soaks twice a week help hydration and keep them regular.
Cohabitation
Can live with
No one — house this species alone.
Never house with
Other tortoises — males ram and flip each other Any other species
Solitary or supervised pairs — males chase and ram relentlessly. Never mix tortoise species.
