The Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo hermanni) is a relatively small, attractive tortoise that often makes an excellent pet. But to ensure your tortoise remains healthy and enjoys a high quality of life, you’ll need to provide him with a proper enclosure.
Below, I’ll explain everything you need to know about Hermann’s tortoise enclosures, including their husbandry needs and the various set-up options available to you.
Hermann’s Tortoise Environmental Needs
Before deciding how you want to set up your new pet’s enclosure, you must first learn some basic husbandry when it comes to caring for Hermann’s tortoises. As follows:
Space Requirements
Hatchling Hermann’s tortoises are rather small, so they can be maintained in relatively small enclosures. A habitat that provides 2 to 4 square feet of space with suffice for the first year or two. But they will soon outgrow enclosures of this size and require more space.
In the interest of saving as much money as possible, it makes sense to go ahead and transition to a permanent (i.e. full-size) enclosure at this point, rather than providing an intermediate-size enclosure.
At a minimum, you’ll need to provide an adult Hermann’s tortoise with eight to 12 square feet of space. Whether that’s a tank or an enclosure, this represents the minimal acceptable size. Personally, I recommend 50 to 100 square feet of space as ideal.
Temperature Range
As when maintaining any tortoise, you’ll want to establish a thermal gradient in the enclosure.
This simply means that you want to install all of the heating devices – either heat lamps or radiant heat panels – at one end of the habitat, so that there will be a range of temperatures inside the enclosure. Directly under the heating devices (an area called the “basking spot”), the temperatures will be highest, and they’ll gradually fall with increasing distance.
You’ll want the temperatures to be in the mid-90s Fahrenheit at the basking spot. The cool end of the enclosure, by contrast, should be in the mid-70s. You can turn the heating devices off at night for adults, who’ll safely tolerate temperatures in the mid-60s.
Juveniles, however, shouldn’t be exposed to temperatures below the mid-70s. This means radiant heat panels are the better option for heating young Hermann’s tortoise enclosures, as they don’t emit light, and can therefore be used at night.
Humidity Level
Because they hail from areas with a Mediterranean climate, adult Hermann’s tortoises thrive best in enclosures with relatively low humidity levels. Typically, you will not need to do much to keep the air suitably dry (the heating devices and ventilation will take care of that), nor will you have to go to great lengths to increase the enclosure humidity, either.
However, in the wild, Hermann’s tortoises spend a lot of time in underground burrows or retreats, where the relative humidity level is quite high. So, you’ll want to mimic this in captivity by keeping one or more of his hiding places moderately damp (though never wet).
Additionally, because they dehydrate quickly, hatchling and juvenile Hermann’s tortoises will typically thrive best when provided with a slightly higher humidity level. You can accomplish this by misting the habitat or adding water to the substrate each day. Just be sure that you don’t keep the enclosure wet, as this could lead to health problems.
Lighting Requirements
Like all tortoises, Hermann’s tortoises require access to full-spectrum light, which contains both UVA and UVB rays, in addition to visible light.
If you maintain your Hermann’s tortoises outdoors, you don’t need to do anything special. The sun will provide all of the UV light your pets need. However, you’ll need to add special lighting for indoor-reared tortoises to ensure they remain healthy.
There are essentially three options you can choose from:
- Fluorescent Tubes: Fluorescent tubes were the first type of full-spectrum light to be made available to tortoise keepers, and they remain popular thanks to their affordable price. However, they do not produce heat, so supplemental heat lamps or radiant heat panels will still be necessary.
- LED Bulbs: The newest option on the market, LED lights are affordable and very energy efficient. Like fluorescent tubes, they don’t produce heat, so you’ll need to include separate heating devices in the enclosure.
- Mercury-Vapor Bulbs: Generally the most expensive option, mercury vapor bulbs are popular among some keepers, as they produce full-spectrum light as well as a significant amount of heat. This means they will satisfy your pet’s lighting and heating needs.
Indoor or Outdoor Maintenance
Now that you know the basic things your Hermann’s tortoise needs to thrive, you must decide whether you want to maintain your pet indoors or outdoors.
Indoor maintenance is certainly possible for these chelonians, since they do not get as large as sulcatas (Centrochelys sulcata) or some other species. It’s easier to provide suitable temperatures indoors, and there are more commercially manufactured enclosures available for indoor maintenance. However, indoor-reared tortoises will require special lighting fixtures, and it is harder to provide spacious enclosures indoors.
Outdoor maintenance allows you to provide more space for your pet and alleviates the need to use special lighting fixtures. However, you’ll have to construct an enclosure yourself, and your pet will be more vulnerable to things like predators, inclement weather, and temperature extremes.
You may also find that the best solution is to maintain your tortoise outdoors during the spring, summer, and fall, and then move him inside during the winter (when he’ll likely brumate).
Hermann’s Tortoise Enclosure Ideas: Commercial and DIY Options
A variety of commercially manufactured and DIY enclosures can be used for Hermann’s tortoise maintenance. I’ve set out my preferred, as well as the most appropriate and time-tested options below.
Commercial Tortoise Enclosures for Indoor Use
There are essentially two options suitable for indoor Hermann’s tortoise maintenance. However, neither are likely to be large enough for very large individuals.
- Tortoise tables: Tortoise tables are named for their elevated design (though there are some models designed to sit on the floor). They make excellent enclosures for beginning keepers, as they’re specifically designed for tortoise maintenance, and come with things like heat lamp supports. They are not, however, available in very large sizes, so they may not serve as a permanent housing solution for large Hermann’s tortoises.
- Front-opening plastic reptile cages: Though they’re more commonly used for snakes and lizards, front-opening reptile cages can also work for tortoises. These are often expensive enclosures, but they are secure, make it easy to maintain proper temperatures, and are easy to clean. You may, however, need to add an opaque barrier to the bottom of the glass door to prevent your tortoise from becoming stressed or confused (tortoises do not understand transparent materials).
Indoor or Outdoor Options: Container-Style Tortoise Enclosures
You can re-purpose several different types of commercially manufactured containers and use them for tortoise maintenance. You’ll generally have to make some modifications to these types of enclosures (such as by adding a top and figuring out a way to hang heating and lighting fixtures), but most keepers find that easy enough.
Container-style habitats are typically used indoors, but if you add drainage holes to prevent them from retaining rainwater, many can be used outdoors too.
- Children’s swimming pools: Most hard-sided children’s swimming pools make excellent and affordable enclosures for small Hermann’s tortoises, and large models may suffice for small adults.
- Stock tanks: As their name implies, stock tanks are typically used to provide food or water to livestock. Most are remarkably durable, and they’re usually easy to modify too; in fact, many come with pre-installed drainage holes. They can, however, be expensive when purchased in sizes large enough for adult Hermann’s tortoise maintenance.
- Pond liners: An attractive solution for your tortoise enclosure needs, prefabricated pond liners make excellent habitats for Hermann’s tortoises. They not only come in interesting shapes and are often capable of containing large amounts of substrate (which will allow your pet to dig tunnels), they’re also easy to clean and modify. However, you may not be able to find models that are spacious enough for large individuals.
- Plastic storage containers: Although they’re rarely available in sizes large enough for large Hermann’s tortoises, plastic storage boxes are an excellent and cost-effective option for maintaining hatchlings and juveniles. Best of all, many are affordable enough that you can purchase two separate enclosures. This allows you to clean one, while your tortoise uses the other.
Outdoor Enclosure Ideas for Tortoises
There aren’t very many options for outdoor tortoise maintenance, though one of the approaches allows for nearly unlimited customization options. Outdoor enclosures will almost always allow you to provide your Hermann’s tortoise with more space, though they’re only appropriate when the temperatures and humidity level are within acceptable ranges.
- Commercial Tortoise Pens: Tortoise “pens” are essentially wood-and-wire enclosures, and a few are suitable for outdoor use. Some models are even large enough to satisfy the minimum size requirements of Hermann’s tortoises, though it would still be wise to provide your tortoise with additional exercise and exploration time outside of the habitat.
- Custom-Built Enclosures: The most common approach by keepers maintaining their tortoise outdoors, custom-built enclosures allow you to satisfy your tortoise’s needs, while also allowing you to address the specific challenges presented by your property. Just be sure to keep safety in mind; you don’t want your tortoise escaping or a predator managing to find a way into the enclosure.
Enclosure Features and Furnishings
You don’t want to keep your Hermann’s tortoise in a barren enclosure; you want to provide a habitat that contains a suitable substrate, several hiding places, as well as visual barriers and and other essential tortoise supplies that are both practical and so that your pet can explore.
Substrate
You can use a variety of different substrates for Hermann’s tortoise enclosures, as long as they’re non-toxic, easy to clean, and affordable enough to replace regularly.
Keepers who maintain their tortoises outdoors often rely on the existing soil, grass, or groundcover. But keepers who keep Hermann’s tortoises indoors usually use soil, a custom soil blend, mulch, or a commercially manufactured tortoise substrate.
While any of these will work, soil-based substrates are typically the best option, as they allow the tortoises to construct burrows. This helps encourage natural behaviors and helps the animals thermoregulate very effectively.
Hiding Spots
Hiding spots are imperative for your tortoise’s well-being, and they help ensure your tortoise feels safe and secure.
Cork bark half tubes and flats propped up like a small cave make wonderful hiding places. You can also plastic storage containers with a “door” cut into the side, or plant pots tilted over on their side and buried halfway. Just understand that your tortoise wants his hiding spaces to be somewhat snug – ideally, he should barely fit inside.
Don’t forget to dampen the substrate under at least one of his hiding spots to give him a humid retreat.
Visual Barriers
Visual barriers help to stimulate your pet’s mind and give him things to investigate over the course of the day. They are also helpful for reducing social tensions in enclosures containing more than one tortoise.
Some of the best visual barriers include things like large rocks, bricks, cinder blocks, and driftwood. Just make sure that anything heavy you place in the habitat rests on the bottom of the enclosure rather than on top of the substrate. This will prevent it from falling on your tortoise, should he decide to dig below it.
You can also use live, non-toxic plants to create visual barriers. Just be sure that the plants you select are safe for your tortoise to consume (non-toxic grasses like Bermuda are a good option), as he’ll likely nibble on them from time to time. Avoid artificial plants entirely, as they may cause intestinal blockages if consumed.
Miscellaneous Furnishings
There are a few other things you’ll want to add to your Hermann’s tortoise enclosure, including food and water dishes and a digital thermometer.
The food and water dishes should be wide, shallow, and easy to clean. Some keepers prefer lightweight plastic dishes, as they’re easier to handle and unlikely to break, but others prefer heavier, ceramic dishes, as they’re less likely to tip over. However, it can be tricky to find ceramic dishes that are shallow enough for tortoises to use comfortably.
A digital thermometer is critical for monitoring the temperatures inside your pet’s habitat. Many high-quality models come with a remote probe, so that you can simultaneously monitor the hot and cold side of the enclosure.
Summary
Setting up a Hermann’s tortoise habitat definitely presents some challenges, but they’re challenges you must overcome. After all, your pet’s habitat is the most important part of his care.
But by researching the needs of your Hermann’s tortoise; considering your budget, space, and experience level; and learning the lessons more experienced keepers have to share, you can set up a wonderful enclosure and be successful with these remarkable chelonians.
Citations
- Pango Vet — Hermann’s Tortoise: Care Sheet, Tank Setup, Diet, & More (with Pictures)
- Reptile Rapture – Hermann’s Tortoise
- Northampton Reptile Centre – Hermann’s Tortoise Care Sheet
