![]() ![]() All glass tanks are often a poor enclosure unless the entire roof is meshed to encourage air exchange. Sliding glass doors are required for good access and ventilation grills to facilitate air flow. A warm, dry and well ventilated vivarium is preferred. It is important to prevent excessive humidity and moisture as skin infections are likely in such situations. Indoor enclosures must be as large as possible for this active tortoise and a vivarium at least 6 feet by 3 feet (2m by 1m) is required for an adult. Housing and EnvironmentĪll tortoises benefit from a large outdoor enclosure when climatic conditions permit, and an area of 10 feet by 13 feet (3m by 4m) is ideal for an individual or pair. The Hermann’s tortoise grazes and feeds on grasses, herbaceous and succulent plants. They tolerate handling but many will withdraw head and limbs into the shell for protection, or void urine as a defensive mechanism. They often prefer periods of seclusion in retreats or partly burrowed in the ground, especially when the temperature exceeds 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius). This species is active, bold and generally harmless. All tortoises can excrete Salmonella and therefore routine personal hygiene and the supervision of all child-tortoise interactions are important. This docile species shows no aggressive tendencies but may retreat inside his shell if treated roughly. These tortoises will continuously attempt to escape if they can see ‘the other side’, so all perimeter barriers should be solid to prevent burrowing under and climbing over. They appear to adapt well to captivity as long as they are provided with large enclosures in which to roam. Nevertheless with proper provision, the Hermann’s tortoise is an active and long lived companion. No tortoise can be considered an easy reptile to keep due to specific nutritional and environmental requirements. Most breeding has been accomplished using wild caught stock but more second and third generation breeding are being recorded. This has placed greater emphasis on captive breeding and relatively large numbers (especially in Europe and the United States) are now produced. The previous mass exportation of wild animals has been largely curtailed through legislation. Therefore, the acquisition of such a tortoise is a long term commitment that may ultimately exceed the owners life span. Some specimens from the eastern range may achieve 1 foot (30 cm) and weight over 6.5 pounds (3 kg), but these are seldom encountered in the pet world.Īccurate longevities are hard to come by but these animals are long lived and may exceed 60 years in captivity. Mediterranean tortoises are generally small animals, typically up to 8 inches (20 cm) carapace length and rarely exceeding 3.5 pounds (1.5 kg). An inhabitant of bush, scrubland and lowland forests, this tortoise is most active by day when it feeds on coarse vegetation. This species is found throughout much of the Mediterranean basin including southern France, eastern Spain, Italy, the Balearic Islands, the Balkan Peninsula, former Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, Greece and Turkey. ![]() Also called the Hermann’s tortoise, it has a flattened, broad low carapace, which is usually olive to tan in color with darker, often black markings. The Mediterranean tortoise ( Testudo hermanni) is a medium sized chelonian and is differentiated from its close cousin Testudo graeca (North African Spur-thighed tortoise) by having a horny tip to the tail and a lack of tubercles on the back of the thighs. ![]()
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