Hermann's Tortoise

Testudo Hermanni

Scientific Name

Hermann's Tortoise:  
Testudo Hermanni

Distribution and Habitat

Geographic Range

Hermann’s Tortoises are found distributed throughout northeast Spain, southeast France, southern Italy, along the northern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, Romania and Greece.

Natural Habitat

Hermann’s Tortoises live in dry meadows, arid hillsides, rocky slopes and farmland. They prefer areas with shade and hidden resting places, and generally avoiding moist areas.

Physical Characteristics

  • Hermann’s Tortoises have distinctly colored, yellow-orange domed shell, with bold black markings. The head is brown or black, with a yellow spot on each side of the head. The upper jaw is slightly hooked, with a horny beak. The scaly limbs are grayish or brown, with yellow markings. Adult males have tails which bear a spur, (a horny spike) at the tip and which are longer and thicker than the tails of the females. Hermann’s Tortoises rarely grow larger than 18 cm (7.5 in), and may be as small as 7 cm (3 in). In captivity, they may live for 30 years.

Quick Facts

  1. The Hermann’s Tortoise is a European Tortoise.

  2. Male Hermann’s Tortoises have a distinct spur on the tip of their tail.

  3. Hermann’s Tortoise’s natural predators include rats, badgers, magpies, foxes, wild boar and many other animals.

Exhibit

Amphibian and Reptile Center

Conservation Status

Near Threatened: The Hermann's Tortoise survival of the wildlife in the wild is affected to an extent that the wildlife is in danger of becoming vulnerable or endangered in the near future.

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Diet

Herbivore

Hermann’s Tortoises are almost entirely herbivorous, feeding on a variety of plants found in their habitat. They also have been known to eat worms and bugs.