| This is golden brown with two dark stripes on the | | | | rabbit hutch will not be sufficient nor would a glass |
| underneath (plastron). The males have longer and | | | | vivarium! |
| thicker tails but are much smaller than the female. | | | | These species of tortoise do like to hibernate in the |
| The female Hermann's tortoise can reach 10 inches in | | | | winter given the right circumstances and depending |
| length with the males averaging only 5 inches. | | | | on their location. (If your pet is at all unwell do not let |
| These chelonians originate in Europe and can be | | | | it hibernate as it could die when it hibernates. If you |
| found across the south of France through to Italy, | | | | are unsure ask your vet). |
| Greece and Turkey. Much of their natural habitat has | | | | A Hermann's tortoise is a herbivore and will eat fleshy |
| unfortunately been lost due to deforestation and | | | | vegetables and some soft fruits. They have been |
| urbanization of the arid grasslands and scrub hillsides | | | | known to eat small insects in the wild and may do so |
| where they originate. | | | | if you have an outside enclosure for yours to live in. |
| The Hermann's tortoise is a hardy and resilient | | | | Breeding this species can be successful if you |
| creature but it does need a dry and sunny outdoor | | | | understand their needs. Eggs are laid in clutches of |
| enclosure if possible. Although this species is more | | | | three to five and must be incubated at 91 degrees |
| tolerant of dampness than the Russian or Horsfield | | | | and 80 percent humidity. After 60 to 70 days the |
| tortoise it will not be happy in a damp environment. | | | | baby Hermann's tortoises will emerge and then the |
| As they can grow to over 10 inches they will also | | | | hard work begins! |
| require a considerable area in which to live. A small | | | | |