RecoveryTortoises
Hermann's tortoise care guide
Testudo hermanni
A hardy Mediterranean tortoise and one of the best first tortoises — a dry, grassy, bright enclosure with outdoor time in warm weather.
Terrestrial — floor space first
Hermann's tortoise enclosure size
Terrestrial — floor space first. An adult hermann's tortoise should live in at least 96" L × 48" W × 16" H; we build toward 120" L × 60" W × 18" H (10 × 5 × 1.5 ft, roughly 50 sq ft of floor and about a 561-gallon glass equivalent).
An outdoor pen in summer is far better than any indoor table.
- Hatchling / baby
- 48" L × 24" W × 12" H recommended · min 36" L × 18" W × 12" H
- Juvenile
- 72" L × 36" W × 16" H recommended · min 48" L × 24" W × 12" H
- Adult
- 120" L × 60" W × 18" H recommended · min 96" L × 48" W × 16" H
Temperature and heating
Halogen flood over a flat basking stone on a dimming thermostat.
- Basking / warm surface
- 95–100°F surface
- Warm side (ambient)
- 80–88°F
- Cool side (ambient)
- 68–75°F
- Night
- 60–70°F
Lighting and UVB
UVB: T5 UVB 10–12% (UVI 4–6 at basking). Run lights on a 12–14 hours photoperiod, on a timer, and replace UVB bulbs on the manufacturer's schedule even while they still emit visible light.
Humidity
Target 40–55% ambient with a humid hide. Dry surface, damp burrow; hatchlings need a moist retreat to avoid pyramiding.
Substrate and depth
Topsoil / coco coir blend. Depth: 4–6 in.
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Hide / burrow box
- Flat basking stone
- Shallow soaking dish
- Edible weed planting and obstacles
Build list
- 8x4 ft tortoise table or pen — They walk and graze constantly.
- T5 UVB 12% + halogen flood — Strong UVB for healthy shell growth.
- Digital thermostat — Every heat source must run through a thermostat — unregulated heat burns animals.
- Two digital probe thermometers + hygrometer — Read the warm side, cool side and humidity directly — stick-on dials are inaccurate.
- Bulk topsoil/coir — Diggable across a large footprint.
Hermann's tortoise FAQ
How big should an adult Hermann's tortoise enclosure be?
At least 96" L × 48" W × 16" H, and we recommend building to 120" L × 60" W × 18" H — about 10 × 5 × 1.5 ft, or a 561-gallon glass equivalent. Terrestrial — floor space first.
What temperatures does a Hermann's tortoise need?
Basking or warm surface 95–100°F surface, warm side 80–88°F, cool side 68–75°F, night 60–70°F. Halogen flood over a flat basking stone on a dimming thermostat.
Does a Hermann's tortoise need UVB?
T5 UVB 10–12% (UVI 4–6 at basking). Photoperiod: 12–14 hours.
What humidity does a Hermann's tortoise need?
40–55% ambient with a humid hide. Dry surface, damp burrow; hatchlings need a moist retreat to avoid pyramiding.
What substrate is best for a Hermann's tortoise?
Topsoil / coco coir blend, at a depth of 4–6 in.
How big does a Hermann's tortoise enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 48" L × 24" W × 12" H recommended, minimum 36" L × 18" W × 12" H. Scale up to the adult footprint as the animal grows.
Sources
Put this guide to work
Apply these targets to your own hermann's tortoise record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.