What is the scientific name of the Hermann’s Tortoise?

The scientific name of the Hermann’s Tortoise is Testudo hermanni.

How big do Hermann’s Tortoises get?

Adult Hermann’s Tortoises typically reach about 7-11 inches.

How long do Hermann’s Tortoises live?

Hermann’s Tortoises live about 50-70+ years with proper care.

What temperatures does a Hermann’s Tortoise need?

Recommended temperatures for a Hermann’s Tortoise: 70-75°F cool side, 80-85°F warm side, and 90-95°F basking spot.

What humidity does a Hermann’s Tortoise need?

Hermann’s Tortoises need 40-60% humidity.

Do Hermann’s Tortoises need UVB lighting?

Yes. Recommended lighting for Hermann’s Tortoises: UVA/UVB required.

What size enclosure does a Hermann’s Tortoise need?

Recommended enclosure sizes for a Hermann’s Tortoise: Baby: 36”x18”x18” (<6 months +); Young: 48”x24”x24” (minimum); Sub-Adult/Adult (Pair): 72”x24”x24” (minimum).

What do Hermann’s Tortoises eat?

Hermann’s Tortoises eat: Herbivorous; Greens; Grasses; Fungi; Fruits & Flowers; Succulents.

Are Hermann’s Tortoises good for beginners?

Hermann’s Tortoises are not usually recommended for beginners; they are rated Intermediate for keeper experience. Diet, Humidity, and Supplementation must be perfect.

Are Hermann’s Tortoises nocturnal or diurnal?

Hermann’s Tortoises are diurnal (active during the day).

What is Hermann’s Tortoise behavior like?

Common Hermann’s Tortoise behavior traits: Can be standoffish when new; Docile generally; Warm up easily with consistent handling; Can be kept in groups.

Do Hermann’s Tortoises lay eggs?

Yes. Hermann’s Tortoises are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs.

How many eggs does a Hermann’s Tortoise lay?

A Hermann’s Tortoise clutch is typically about 5-10 eggs.

How long do Hermann’s Tortoise eggs take to hatch?

Hermann’s Tortoise eggs typically incubate for about 60-90 days before hatching.

What is the best enclosure for a Hermann’s Tortoise?

Recommended enclosures for Hermann’s Tortoises by age. Juvenile: Vivarium 36" Sliding Door Reptile Terrariums. Sub-adult: Vivarium 48" Sliding Door Reptile Terrariums (4'x2').

What lighting products are best for a Hermann’s Tortoise?

Recommended lighting products for Hermann’s Tortoises: Arcadia 12% UVB D3 Desert Lighting.

What heating products does a Hermann’s Tortoise need?

Recommended heating products for Hermann’s Tortoises by age. Juvenile: Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Spot Heater and Vivarium Electronics Ceramic Dome Reflector. Sub-adult: Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Spot Heater and Vivarium Electronics Ceramic Dome Reflector. Adult: Vivarium Electronics Radiant Heat Panels and Vivarium Electronics Thermostats.

Hermann's Tortoise

Common Name(s)	Hermann’s Tortoise
Scientific Name	Testudo hermanni
Behavior	Diurnal (active during day) Can be standoffish when new Docile generally Warm up easily with consistent handling Can be kept in groups
Reproduction	Oviparous (Egg Layer) Gestation: ~35-45 days Clutch size: ~5-10 eggs Incubation: ~60-90 days
Lifespan	~50-70+ years
Temperatures	70-75°F cool side 80-85°F warm side 90-95°F basking spot
Humidity	40-60%
Lighting	UVA/UVB required
Size	~7-11 inches
Enclosure Recommendations	Baby: 36”x18”x18” (<6 months +) Young: 48”x24”x24” (minimum) Sub-Adult/Adult (Pair): 72”x24”x24” (minimum)
Experience Level	Intermediate Take note of lifespan Diet, Humidity, and Supplementation must be perfect *Parents should always be involved caring for any pet, until the child is 18 yrs.
Diet	Herbivorous Greens Grasses Fungi Fruits & Flowers Succulents

Filter by age:

Best Substrates for Subadult Hermann’s Tortoises

ReptiChip Breeder Blocks and Bundles: Breeder Block

ReptiEarth Fine Coconut Fiber Mix; Ready to Use: 36 Quart

Best Enclosures for Subadult Hermann’s Tortoises

48" Sliding Door Reptile Vivarium (4x2): 120 Gallon 48x24x24 / Black

Best Lighting Products for Subadult Hermann’s Tortoises

Arcadia 12% UVB D3 Desert Lighting: LumenIZE® Smart UVB Kit / 48"

Best Heating Products for Subadult Hermann’s Tortoises

Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Spot Heater: 75W

Vivarium Electronics Ceramic Dome Reflector: 8"

Best Substrates for Juvenile Hermann’s Tortoises

ReptiChip Coarse Coconut Chip Mix; Ready to Use: 36 Quart

ReptiEarth Fine Coconut Fiber Mix; Ready to Use: 36 Quart

Best Enclosures for Juvenile Hermann’s Tortoises

36" Sliding Door Reptile Vivarium (36x18) - 50 Gallon: Black

Best Lighting Products for Juvenile Hermann’s Tortoises

Arcadia 12% UVB D3 Desert Lighting: LumenIZE® Smart UVB Kit / 36"

Best Heating Products for Juvenile Hermann’s Tortoises

Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Spot Heater: 50W

Vivarium Electronics Ceramic Dome Reflector: 5.5"

Hermann's Tortoises (Testudo hermanni) are small yet robust tortoises native to the Mediterranean region. They are easily recognizable by their distinct yellow and black patterned shells, which serve as excellent camouflage in their natural habitat. One unique feature of the species is the spur at the end of the tail, which distinguishes them from other tortoises. This species has two main subspecies: the Western Hermann's tortoise (T. h. hermanni) and the Eastern Hermann's tortoise (T. h. boettgeri). While the western subspecies tends to be smaller, reaching around 7 inches, the eastern subspecies can grow up to 11 inches. Their natural habitats include open woodlands, scrublands, and rocky hillsides where they forage for a variety of plants, making them primarily herbivores.

Hermann's Tortoises are primarily herbivorous, their diet consisting mostly of leafy greens, flowers, and some fruits, which they forage from their natural surroundings. This diet is crucial as it provides the necessary nutrients and fiber for their digestive systems. In captivity, their diet needs to closely mimic their natural food sources to prevent health issues such as shell deformities and nutritional deficiencies. Hermann's Tortoises exhibit brumation, a form of hibernation during the colder months, which is vital for their metabolic health and breeding cycles. Before entering brumation, they will often eat less and spend more time burrowing into the ground to prepare for this period of dormancy. These tortoises are also known for their strong homing instinct, often traveling long distances to return to their preferred habitats or nesting sites. Their need for a varied landscape with opportunities for both basking in the sun and ample shade makes them active landscape engineers, influencing their environment significantly.

Native Range

Northern coast of the Mediterranean Sea into Western Europe Romania Greece Southern Spain Italian Peninsula

Why ReptiChip?

ReptiChip is made by hermann’s tortoise lovers, for hermann’s tortoise lovers. It’s what the pros use, and it’s what you can use, too.

Our product line includes BabiChip, RediChip, TropicalBase, MicroChip, and ReptiEarth, so you can be sure to find the perfect hermann’s tortoise bedding for your pet.

Ready to switch to the ultimate hermann’s tortoise bedding? Check out ReptiChip today.

Common Hermann’s Tortoise ReptiChip Questions

: The scientific name of the Hermann’s Tortoise is Testudo hermanni.
: Northern coast of the Mediterranean Sea into Western Europe Romania Greece Southern Spain Italian Peninsula.
: Adult Hermann’s Tortoises typically reach about 7-11 inches.
: Hermann’s Tortoises live about 50-70+ years with proper care.
: Recommended temperatures for a Hermann’s Tortoise: 70-75°F cool side, 80-85°F warm side, and 90-95°F basking spot.
: Hermann’s Tortoises need 40-60% humidity.
: Yes. Recommended lighting for Hermann’s Tortoises: UVA/UVB required.
: Recommended enclosure sizes for a Hermann’s Tortoise: Baby: 36”x18”x18” (<6 months +); Young: 48”x24”x24” (minimum); Sub-Adult/Adult (Pair): 72”x24”x24” (minimum).
: Hermann’s Tortoises eat: Herbivorous; Greens; Grasses; Fungi; Fruits & Flowers; Succulents.
: Hermann’s Tortoises are not usually recommended for beginners; they are rated Intermediate for keeper experience. Diet, Humidity, and Supplementation must be perfect.
: Hermann’s Tortoises are diurnal (active during the day).
: Common Hermann’s Tortoise behavior traits: Can be standoffish when new; Docile generally; Warm up easily with consistent handling; Can be kept in groups.
: Yes. Hermann’s Tortoises are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs.
: A Hermann’s Tortoise clutch is typically about 5-10 eggs.
: Hermann’s Tortoise eggs typically incubate for about 60-90 days before hatching.
: Recommended substrates for juvenile Hermann’s Tortoises: ReptiChip Coarse Coconut Chip Mix; Ready to Use and ReptiEarth Fine Coconut Fiber Mix; Ready to Use.
: Recommended substrates for sub-adult Hermann’s Tortoises: ReptiChip Breeder Blocks and Bundles and ReptiEarth Fine Coconut Fiber Mix; Ready to Use.
: Recommended substrates for adult Hermann’s Tortoises: ReptiChip Breeder Blocks and Bundles and ReptiEarth Breeder Blocks and Bundles.
: Recommended enclosures for Hermann’s Tortoises by age. Juvenile: Vivarium 36" Sliding Door Reptile Terrariums. Sub-adult: Vivarium 48" Sliding Door Reptile Terrariums (4'x2').
: Recommended lighting products for Hermann’s Tortoises: Arcadia 12% UVB D3 Desert Lighting.
: Recommended heating products for Hermann’s Tortoises by age. Juvenile: Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Spot Heater and Vivarium Electronics Ceramic Dome Reflector. Sub-adult: Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Spot Heater and Vivarium Electronics Ceramic Dome Reflector. Adult: Vivarium Electronics Radiant Heat Panels and Vivarium Electronics Thermostats.