|
The Hermanns tortoise (Testudo hermanni) I find the Hermanns tortoise one of the easiest to care for in captivity. They are very distinctive in their appearance, being typically flattish with a low broad carapace (under carriage) which bear black markings upon an olive-yellow base. The identification of this tortoise is helped by the horny tip it bears upon its tail. Females tend to be larger than males and breeding in captivity can occur at as young as 6 years. Although young tortoises do lay eggs they are often infertile. Distribution Greece, Eastern Spain, Southern France, Italy and the Balearic Islands, Romania, Turkey, Corfu, Sicily and Sardinia. Sub Species There are two known sub species of Hermanns;
Environment This tortoise is found in the Mediterranean region which typically comprises of coarse, arid, scrubby hillsides. Sun, warmth and dry conditions are essential in keeping such species in tip top condition. It is important to maintain a natural environment in captivity and a slope of gentle hill should be offered to encourage basking and egg laying. Natural grazing should be encouraged and access to clean drinking water and bathing areas should be provided. Diet A natural diet for the Hermanns tortoise consists of a diet rich in fibre and high in calcium. Tortoises would naturally roam for hours and feed on a variety of plants, thus providing exercise and natural absorption of vitamins and minerals. Food in the wild would become very sparse in the summer months and the tortoise would naturally aestivate to conserve energy. During springtime there would be more moisture in the food and higher protein levels than that available in the summer. This ensures a well balanced, natural, healthy diet. In captivity we tend to overfeed and worse still, overfeed on an incorrect diet. Please follow these guidelines on feeding your tortoise.
When planning a diet for captive tortoises you should consider the following;
Mulberry leaves and hibiscus are rich in calcium and fiber. Lettuce, cucumber and tomato can be fed to tortoises however they have very low nutritional value and shouldn't be made up as part of a complete diet. Always avoid Iceberg lettuce due to the poor nutritional value. Mediterranean tortoises fed entirely on cat and dog food, crickets, processed commercial food and high protein food such as peas, beans, cabbage, choy and spinach frequently die from renal failure or from bladder stones. Fruit should be given sparingly due to high sugar content. Banana, tomato and peaches are very rich in phosphorous therefore if given to your tortoise frequently, a calcium supplement should be provided or mixed in with foods containing high levels of calcium. |