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Western Hermann's Tortoise
Testudo hermanni hermanni
The Western Hermann's Tortoise flourishes best in secure outdoor pens year-round. If kept indoors, an open-top tortoise table is mandatory to ensure superior ventilation, alongside intense UVB lighting and an entirely herbivorous diet.
Class:Testudines
Order:Testudines
Family:Testudinidae
Genus:Testudo
Species:Testudo hermanni hermanni
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
40 - 60 %
Day temperature
26 - 32 °C
Night temperature
18 - 22 °C
Adult size
28 cm
UVB
High
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Testudo hermanni hermanni, commonly known as the Western Hermann's tortoise, is native to southern Europe. Its geographic range is concentrated in the western portion of the Mediterranean basin, including eastern Spain, southern France, Italy (including the large islands of Sardinia and Sicily), and several coastal island groups. It primarily inhabits Mediterranean-type environments such as dry maquis, holm oak woodlands, coastal sand dunes covered with shrubby vegetation, and traditional low-intensity agricultural lands exposed to direct sunlight.
Taxonomy and Genetics: This tortoise belongs to the order Testudines, family Testudinidae. It is the nominate subspecies of the species Testudo hermanni. Genetic studies utilizing mitochondrial DNA show a clear evolutionary break between the western and eastern subspecies (Testudo hermanni boettgeri). The western subspecies exhibits lower genetic diversity due to long-term historical geographical isolation. The species is internationally protected under CITES Appendix II and Annex A within the European Union.
Behavior and Habits: It is a strictly diurnal and ectothermic reptile. It starts its day by basking in the sun to raise its body temperature before foraging for food. During the hottest summer hours, it seeks shelter under dense vegetation or buries itself partially to avoid overheating (aestivation). With the arrival of winter (typically from November to March), it enters a deep state of underground hibernation, which is essential for its natural life cycle and reproductive health.
Morphology: Compared to the eastern subspecies, this nominate subspecies is smaller, with adult females usually measuring between 13 and 15 centimeters and males being even smaller (11-13 cm). The carapace is highly domed and features a bright yellow-gold or intense orange background with highly contrasting, sharp black markings. A key diagnostic feature is the distinct 'keyhole' or 'mushroom' pattern on the 5th vertebral scute, along with two continuous, parallel black bands running along the plastron.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: While it is highly preferable to keep them outdoors in large, secure pens year-round, indoor housing requires an open-top 'tortoise table' (rather than enclosed glass vivariums, which restrict air circulation) with minimum dimensions of 200x100 cm for an adult. The ideal substrate is a 15-20 cm deep mix of untreated topsoil and coco coir or fine sand (about 30% sand), allowing the tortoise to dig. Provide shelters such as hollow logs, cork bark, and live or artificial drought-tolerant plants.
Lighting and Heating: Indoors, high-output UVB lighting (such as a T5 HO 10% or 12% bulb mounted at the correct distance) is essential and should be on a 12-hour photoperiod. Heating must establish a linear thermal gradient: a cool end around 20-22°C and a hot basking zone of 30-32°C directly under a basking spotlight. Nighttime temperatures can drop to 16-18°C, mimicking the natural Mediterranean temperature drop.
Humidity and Hydration: Average ambient humidity should be around 50-60%, slightly higher (up to 70%) for tank-raised hatchlings to prevent dehydration and support smooth shell development. A very shallow water dish must always be accessible for the tortoise to drink and soak in safely without risk of drowning. Weekly lukewarm baths are highly beneficial for hydration.
Feeding and Supplementation: A strict herbivore requiring a high-fiber, low-protein, and low-fat diet with a high calcium-to-phosphorus ratio. The ideal diet consists of wild weeds and leafy greens (dandelion, plantain, mallow, chicory, clover). Avoid fruit, vegetables, bread, oats, or commercial cat/dog foods. Supplement their diet with pure calcium carbonate (cuttlefish bone always available) and dust food with calcium and vitamin D3 twice a week.
Compatibility: Males are highly territorial and aggressive, especially during the breeding season when they constantly chase and bite females or fight with other males. Multiple males should never be housed together in confined spaces. The ideal ratio is one male to at least 3-4 females in large spaces, or housing individuals separately to avoid stress.
Health and Common Diseases: Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) is the primary concern caused by lack of UVB lighting or dietary calcium, leading to a soft, deformed carapace. Other common issues include respiratory infections from drafty or overly damp enclosures, and intestinal parasite overgrowth. Hibernation must be managed carefully by monitoring weight loss, which should not exceed 10% of their pre-hibernation weight.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Testudo hermanni hermanni, commonly known as the Western Hermann's tortoise, is native to southern Europe. Its geographic range is concentrated in the western portion of the Mediterranean basin, including eastern Spain, southern France, Italy (including the large islands of Sardinia and Sicily), and several coastal island groups. It primarily inhabits Mediterranean-type environments such as dry maquis, holm oak woodlands, coastal sand dunes covered with shrubby vegetation, and traditional low-intensity agricultural lands exposed to direct sunlight.
Origin
Europe, Mediterranean, and West Asia
Reptile profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 28 cm
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- No verified data available
- Activity cycle
- No verified data available
- Sociality
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Handling tolerance
- No verified data available
- Brumation
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
The catalog's scalar value is 28 cm. The ReptTraits v1.2 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 28 cm for this species, recorded as straight carapace length (SCL). These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
Related species
Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.
