Hermann Tortoise for sale in the Netherlands

Hermann’s tortoises: behaviour and suitability

Hermann’s tortoises walk, graze, dig, climb and bask. In food-rich habitats they may live together. When food is scarce they live more dispersed outside the breeding season. Always assess the actual animal and, when a trade label covers several species, verify the scientific name before acquisition. Age, sex, health and previous housing can noticeably influence behaviour.

Care and housing

Provide fibre-rich fresh vegetables and herbs, calcium, UVB, diggable slightly moist substrate and a sunny outdoor pen with sheltered areas in summer. Do not feed fruit and prepare any hibernation carefully with a healthy animal only. Set up the complete enclosure before the animal arrives and record relevant values and daily behaviour. A sudden change in appetite, activity, breathing, posture or droppings calls for a check of the environment and, where needed, knowledgeable help.

Health and responsible acquisition

Check the required EU certificate, identification or chip once physically possible, weight, eyes, nose and shell. Do not buy without original papers and have respiratory, shell or intestinal problems assessed by a reptile veterinarian. Ask the seller about age, origin, current care and known health problems, and ensure any documents belong to the animal offered. Never choose on colour, size or price alone, and identify a knowledgeable veterinarian or other species expert before urgent problems arise.