Tortoises can make fantastic pets, but many species grow so large that it can be challenging for keepers to provide them with enough space. After all, a full-grown sulcata (Centrochelys sulcata) or leopard tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis) will need more space than some backyards provide!
That is one of the many reasons why Hermann’s tortoises have become so popular among tortoise keepers. Most specimens only reach about 7 to 9 inches in length (though large individuals may reach 11 inches), which means that they only require modest-sized enclosures.
In this article I’ll be explaining their tank size requirements in greater detail, so that you can be prepared to give your pet an appropriate home.
Hermann’s Tortoise Enclosures
Typically, aquariums (aka “tanks”) aren’t the best option for tortoise maintenance, with most people favoring traditional enclosures. Aquariums do not provide a great deal of ventilation; they’re very fragile; and they’re quite heavy for their size. But perhaps the biggest problem with aquariums is that they’re made from glass.
Tortoises do not encounter transparent materials in the wild, so glass enclosure walls may confuse or stress your pet. If you must use a glass aquarium, be sure to cover the bottom one-third of the walls with something opaque. This will help reduce your tortoise’s attempts to “dig” through the aquarium glass.
Nevertheless, because many keepers use the word “tank” to refer to any kind of reptile habitat, I’ll use the term here. Just remember that plastic storage containers, tortoise tables, and front-opening reptile enclosures all work better for tortoise maintenance.
Hermann’s Tortoise Tank Size
Hermann’s are a relatively small tortoise species, so they don’t require extremely large enclosures. Nevertheless, they do require habitats that are large enough to allow sufficient exercise and prevent them from feeling cramped. After all, these tortoises have home ranges of between 0.7 and 7.4 hectares in the wild. Obviously, you’ll want to provide them with as much space as possible!
The following tank size recommendations represent the minimum acceptable space requirements for Hermann’s tortoises depending on their life cycle stage:
- Hatchlings (1 to 2 inches in length): Tortoises of this size require 2 to 4 square feet of space. That’s roughly equal to a 20- to 40-gallon aquarium.
- Juveniles (2 to 4 inches in length): By the time they’re in this size range, Hermann’s tortoises should be provided with at least 4 square feet of space; roughly the size of a 40-gallon aquarium.
- Adults (4 to 10 inches in length): By the time they’re in this size range, Hermann’s tortoises will require at least 8 to 12 square feet of space. However, it is strongly preferable to provide them with more than this – 100 square feet of space would not be overkill for a large individual or pair of average sized animals. Aquariums providing 10 or 12 square feet of space vary significantly in their dimensions, but most will be in the 100- to 200-gallon size range.
- Large Adults (10 or more inches in length): Very large Hermann’s tortoises will require habitats providing at least 25 square feet of space (minimally). There aren’t many aquariums offered for sale at this size range, so you’ll generally need to opt for a different kind of enclosure.
Tank Setup: General Principles
Keep in mind that no matter the size or type of enclosure you choose, rectangular habitats are generally preferable. There are several reasons for this:
- You should always set up a thermal gradient. This simply means placing all of the heating devices at one end of the enclosure, so that the temperatures are highest near the basking spot and fall with increasing distance. Long, rectangular enclosures simply allow you to produce more pronounced and effective thermal gradients than square or circular enclosures do.
- A long dimension allows your tortoise to obtain better exercise. Whereas a square or circular enclosure will only allow your tortoise to walk a short distance in any given direction, a long, rectangular enclosure will allow him to travel further on a daily basis. In fact, you can maximize this by trying to offer your tortoise an occasional treat at the opposite end of the enclosure from where he currently is.
- Rectangular enclosures generally fit in homes and yards more effectively than square or round enclosures. Exceptions exist for homes or yards with unusual layouts, but most tortoise keepers will find that rectangular enclosures offer more placement options.
- If you’re keeping multiple tortoises in the same enclosure, a rectangular orientation allows them to enjoy more space from each other. You should always provide visual barriers for enclosures housing multiple individuals, but space and distance are important too. And rectangular enclosures will allow for more space when the inhabitants deem it necessary.
Providing Exercise and Enrichment
Many keepers struggle to provide a tortoise – even a relatively small species, such as a Hermann’s tortoise – with sufficient space. And while you should never purchase a pet you can’t properly care for, there are a few ways you can help your tortoise thrive in a less-than-ideal amount of space.
I’ve listed my recommendations for ideas below:
- Utilize multiple enclosures. You may not have one place in your home or yard that provides 50 square feet of room for your tortoise, but you may have two or three places that each provide a significant portion of this space. So, you could consider setting up two or more enclosures, which he can split time between. This won’t address his exercise needs very much, but it will provide more mental stimulation and enrichment than one small enclosure would.
- Allow your tortoise to explore your house. Though this is not always a safe option for homes with other pets, and it may cause you to have to clean up the messes your tortoise leaves behind, you can allow your tortoise to explore your home periodically. Just be sure to tortoise-proof the area he has access to (secure anything that may fall, block off stairways, etc.). Because of hygiene concerns, this is not a good idea for homes with young children, the elderly, or anyone with a compromised immune system.
- Take your tortoise on “walks.” While your pet will never walk on a leash like a dog would, he may enjoy going for the occasional stroll with you. Just be sure to pick a safe area that hasn’t been exposed to pesticides (or similar chemicals). Additionally, be sure to restrict these walks to times during which the temperatures are appropriate.
- Allow your tortoise to explore your backyard. As long as it is fenced and you haven’t treated it with dangerous chemicals (such as herbicides or pesticides), your backyard can provide some additional space for your pet. Just be sure that you monitor him for the entire time he’s outside, as predators and other threats may endanger him.
Hermann’s tortoises have modest enclosure-space requirements relative to many other tortoise species, but it still makes sense to provide them with the most space possible.
Just be sure to meet (and hopefully, exceed) the minimum tank size guidelines provided above and offer your pet the chance to get some supplemental exercise and mental stimulation whenever possible.
Citations
- Animal Diversity Web – Testudo hermanni
- Northampton Reptile Centre – Hermann’s Tortoise Care Sheet
- Reptile Rapture – Hermann’s Tortoise
