Written by Madeline Smith, Reptile Care Writer at Zen Habitats
Published: September 2, 2026 · Last Reviewed: September 2, 2026
Hermann’s Tortoise Essential Care Guide
Western Hermann's Tortoise (Testudo hermanni hermanni)
Eastern Hermann's Tortoise (Testudo hermanni boettgeri)
Dalmatian Hermann's Tortoise (Testudo hermanni boettgeri; historically Testudo hermanni hercegovinensis)
General Information
Native Habitat
Western: Southwestern Europe: coastal Spain, southern France, and Italy
Eastern: Southeastern Europe: Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and European Turkey
Dalmatian: Bosnia, Croatia, and Montenegro
Lifespan: 70 - 100+ years
Typical Temperament: Inquisitive, bold, active
Care Difficulty: Moderate
Physical Characteristics
Size: Approximately 4-9+ inches long, depending on subspecies and sex, though overlap in size does occur
Western: ~4-6 inches
Dalmatian: ~6-8 inches
Eastern: ~7-9+ inches
Appearance:
Western Hermmans tortoises are the brightest of all three variants, with strong contrast between their golden and black coloration. Markings are often bold and their shell has more of an arch shape, their head is a pointer shape than the other two Hermanns.
Eastern Hermanns are more dull in color, with sandier tans and dark coloration and less bold markings on average. They have a flatter, more broad carapace and are the largest of the three Hermanns and also the most common in the pet trade.
Dalmatian Hermanns* are the middle ground of the other subspecies both in size and appearance. Dalmatian Hermanns' shell is more of a round dome than the Western, but not as flat as the Eastern, and they have a blunt shaped head. Their color starts as a brighter gold but dulls to more of an olive as they age. Their markings are bold, more similar to the Western. The top of their head features a bright green or yellow marking that is much brighter on the Dalmatian tortoise than the other two subspecies.
*Dalmatian Hermann’s tortoises were historically classified as Testudo hermanni hercegovinensis. Although this designation is no longer generally recognized as a valid subspecies, Dalmatian populations have several physical characteristics that distinguish them from other Eastern Hermann’s tortoises and are still commonly recognized as a distinct form by keepers.
Enclosure Setup
Size: Minimum indoor adult enclosure size 4' x 2' x 18", starting young animals in tub setups is acceptable. Outdoor pens of sizes greater than 4' x 2' are highly preferable when possible.
Babies: A large plastic tote (approximately 36” long) or other similarly sized opaque enclosure that allows for humidity retention and several inches of substrate.
Opaque-sided enclosures are preferable, as tortoises may repeatedly pace or attempt to move through transparent barriers like glass or acrylic.
Do not house different Hermanns subspecies together!
Lighting, Temperatures & Humidity
Lighting Schedule: 12-14 hours on / 10-12 hours off.
UVB Light: Required when indoors, 10 - 12% / 10.0 strength T5 linear UVB. Cover ½ - ⅔ of the indoor enclosure
Full-spectrum LED recommended (6500K).
Heating: 75-100w basking lamp on a dimming switch / thermostat to achieve a mid-90’s basking spot
Temperatures
Basking surface : 95-100ºF
Ambient Temperature : 75-85°F with a thermal gradient to escape the heat
Night Drop: Temperatures should drop at night, and can get down to 65-72°F. Nighttime supplemental heat is not typically necessary.
Humidity: 40-60% ambient humidity for adults with access to microclimates of higher humidity
Babies should have approximately 60–80% humidity, with ~70% being a good target. Substrate should retain some moisture without being saturated or waterlogged.
Substrate (Bedding)
Recommended mix: Peat/sphagnum mixed with play sand
Depth: At least 4 inches; can add leaf litter to help maintain humidity.
Cleaning: Spot clean as needed, replace substrate every few months.
Decorating the Terrarium
Babies' enclosures should be more simple to allow for monitoring. A deep substrate layer provides them an easy way to take cover if they choose. A layer of leaf litter gives them even more cover. Half logs can be used for hides.
Adults can handle a bit more decor and are less at risk of tipping over and getting stuck.
Diet
Herbivores: Broadleaf eaters; weeds (clover), flowers (Hibiscus flowers and leaves), shoots, sprouts, and broadleaf greens such as mustard greens, turnip greens, dandelion greens
Mediterranean tortoises cannot adequately process excess sugars; do not feed fruits.
Supplementation: Cuttlebone available in the enclosure at all times for calcium. Soaked complete tortoise pellet can be offered 1-2x per week and will provide multivitamins.
Feeding Frequency
Broad leaf greens should be available daily
High-quality, high-fiber soaked tortoise pellets can be offered 1-2x per week.
Food can be offered out of a shallow terracotta dish to help keep their beak short.
Hydration
A shallow dish of fresh water should be available at all times. A shallow terracotta dish (no more than 1/2" for babies) makes a great water dish. For young tortoises, a few small stones can be placed in the dish to provide footing and help them right themselves if they accidentally flip over in the water.
Handling Tips
Support the bottom of your tortoise with both hands.
Tortoises can stress when picked up, so keep handling sessions brief and only when necessary. It is more preferable to interact with them while they are on the ground.
