Hermann's Tortoise Care Sheet

A Gulf Coast Turtle and Tortoise Society Care Sheet

Introduction

Testudo hermanni

Housing

The turtle table set-up you have sounds pretty good for an indoor habitat, especially the mercury vapor bulb, the newest and best so far , for UVB. Having a warm and cool side is also right when you have reptiles. Exotic species and hatchlings sometimes need to be indoors during the winter, depending upon what part of the country you live in, but we heartily recommend that as soon as weather permits, you get the tortoise outside in a natural enclosure (escape, predator and kid proof) so that he can soak up the natural sunlight and feed on natural grasses.

A substrate of newspaper is OK, just make sure it is at least 2 weeks old before using it because the strong ink fumes fade a bit by then.

Feeding

Diet is somewhat similar to the diet of African sulcatas, which means no protein whatsoever, young or old.

That's not to say that in the wild, during the rainy season, they would not take advantage of a passing snail or slug, but this constitutes such a small portion of the diet, that is not recommended for captive specimens.

They need natural grazing areas, which you can then supplement with succulant plants (Nopalito cactus pads), weeds (i.e. dandelion or clover), high fiber greens like turnip and collard.

Don't use any commercial "tortoise pellets" or "chow" because they all contain too much protein for this species.

They will readily eat fruit, because to them this is candy, but the high sugar content can cause intestinal problems if they eat too much. The basic rule for torts is once a week they can get a bite of melon, strawberry, apple, etc. Fruit less that 10% of the overall diet has worked.

Young, developing tortoises are especially dependent upon their early diet for proper bone and shell growth and natural sunlight along with a good calcium supplement are essential. You can use Rep-Cal because it is phospherous free and some others aren't.(Phospherous blocks the absorption of calcium).

Health

Gulf Coast Turtle & Tortoise Society

The Gulf Coast Turtle and Tortoise Society is an all volunteer organization whose goals include:

• Provide a turtle and tortoise rescue, rehabilitation, and release operation in cooperation with other wildlife rescue organizations and turtle and tortoise societies.
• Educate ourselves and the public, through public presentations and meetings, about all aspects of turtle and tortoise care, natural history, and conservation.
• Disseminate the best available information regarding the proper captive husbandry of turtles and tortoises.
• Disseminate information concerning the plight of wild turtles and tortoises and effective efforts to help them.
• Provide an adoption service to our members for captive turtles and tortoises that need new homes.
• Encourage captive breeding programs for turtles and tortoises with a special emphasis on those species that are threatened by habitat destruction and share our experiences in this area.
• Work to make captive bred turtles and tortoises available as an alternative to the trade in wild caught turtles and tortoises.
• Serve as a cooperative to obtain discounts for our members on captive care products and supplies.

For more information about the GCTTS or about the care of turtles and tortoises, email info@gctts.org, write us at GCTTS, 1227 Whitestone Ln, Houston, TX 77073, or visit our website http://www.GCTTS.Org.

GCTTS meetings are open to the public and free.

Membership and care information is available at our meetings and on our web site.

Contributors

Contributors to this care sheet include:

• Deb Parrish

Net Resources

World Chelonian Trust Testudo hermanni care sheet

References

1. Dr. Peter C. H. Pritchard, Encyclopedia of Turtles, T. F. H. Publications, 1979, ISBN 0-87666-918-6. A comprehensive listing and description of turtle and tortoise species.

2. Turtles and Tortoises of the World. David Alderton, ISBN: 0-8160-1733-6.

3. Turtles, Tortoises, and Terrapins. F.J. Obst, 1988, ISBN 0-312-82362-2. A wonderful book which covers the life of turtles. Emphasis on conservation issues; wonderful photographs and excellent drawings; small section on husbandry.

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