Basic Overview
Our Hermann's Tortoise care sheet has all the expert guidance you need to ensure you know how to look after your tortoise.
Hermann's Tortoises (Testudo hermanni) originate in the Mediterranean and are protected in the wild, meaning that they must only ever be sold with a CITES Article 10 certificate confirming they are captive bred.
They can live over 80 years and reach an adult size of around 25cm. Hermann’s Tortoises are extremely active, require plenty of space to explore, and have specialist temperature, lighting and dietary requirements that must be understood if your tortoise is to thrive.
Adult Housing
Tortoises need space, and in most cases a vivarium is simply not enough. The current RSPCA guidelines state that an indoor enclosure measuring 180cm x 120cm, plus an outdoor enclosure of around 10m², is adequate for an adult. In practice this normally means an outdoor heated shed, a custom indoor enclosure, and a secure grazing area for warm days.
In our experience tortoises make the most of all the space they are afforded, so even though they are relatively slow growing, you should always plan ahead and never purchase a baby tortoise without being aware of future requirements.
Juvenile Housing
Baby or juvenile tortoises can be kept in either table or vivarium setups — although tables are only really suitable in homes or rooms that maintain a fairly consistent warm background temperature.
We recommend purchasing as large an enclosure as possible from the outset, such as the Monkfield Tortoise Table. A larger enclosure promotes natural behaviour, allows for a good temperature gradient, and extends the useful lifespan of the tortoise’s home.
Tables vs Vivariums
Tortoise tables allow for good airflow and are often marketed as the budget option, as they allow for the use of unregulated (non-thermostatted) all-in-one mercury vapour bulbs (MVB) as a sole source of heat and UV.
A vivarium allows for much better regulation of heat and easier installation of high-quality equipment such as T5 lighting and a separate basking bulb controlled by a thermostat.
You can find out more about the benefits and disadvantages of both types of enclosures here.
Heating
A temperature gradient including a basking spot of around 32°C (30–35°C) with background temperatures in the low to mid-20s will replicate the natural conditions your Hermann’s Tortoise would experience.
This is easily accomplished using a basking spot bulb installed in a good-quality ceramic fitting and controlled by a dimming thermostat. The thermostat allows precise temperature regulation, and a digital thermometer should be used to monitor the basking zone.
If using a table, it is common practice to use an all-in-one Mercury Vapour Bulb (MVB) installed in a dome fitting to provide both heat and UV. These bulbs cannot be used with a thermostat, so they must be monitored carefully, with adjustments made to maintain the ideal basking temperature.
Your responsibilities
Our Hermann's Tortoise care sheet is designed to offer a basic overview and an instant reference point to many common questions related to care and setups. There is often more than one method to achieve good results, and care sheets should always be read alongside further research, professional advice, and ongoing developments in tortoise husbandry.
As a pet owner you are legally responsible for ensuring any animal under your care is properly looked after. Your obligations are to provide:
- Freedom from hunger or thirst — ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour
- Freedom from discomfort — appropriate housing including shelter and a comfortable resting area
- Freedom from pain, injury or disease — prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment
- Freedom to express (most) normal behaviour — sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal’s own kind
- Freedom from fear and distress — conditions and treatment that avoid mental suffering
If in doubt always seek immediate professional and/or veterinary advice.
Disclaimer: This care sheet is provided as a general guide based on our experience. Advice may vary between keepers, and best practices can evolve as new research and products become available. Always carry out your own research and consult professional guidance where needed. We will endeavour to keep this information up to date as husbandry knowledge develops.
If you have other reptiles as pets, be sure to check out our other care sheets, including Bearded Dragon, Leopard Gecko, Hognose Snake, Giant African Land Snail, Crested Gecko & Corn Snake
