#easternhermanns

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Decorations

Hermann's tortoises should always be kept on a dry substrate so not to increase the humidity inside their enclosure too much. We keep our tortoises either on beech woodchips or ProRep's Tortoise Life substrate.

Tortoise do not climb, but they do like to dig and burrow. So choose various pieces of natural wood or decoration to enable them to do this. Younger tortoises will appreciate a cave that they can take refuge in.

The tortoise's enclosure can be decorated with artificial plants for a more natural look. Desert plantslook very effective. Trailing plants are very good at disguising electrical wires and equipment.

Written by Jasmin

Photo: Rambo (Eastern Hermann)

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Where's #leelatortoise? #tortoise #instatort #hermanns #hermanniboettgeri #easternhermanns #outdoorlife #tortoiselife #tortlife

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Hermann Tortoise

They've a degree of individual character that's uncommon in reptiles, and they are sometimes exceedingly charming and amusing. They create a bond of familiarity with their proprietor and you'll be able to understand their unique quirks, likes and dislikes. They live approximately 75 decades, that gives us something in common! Such as the Horsfield tortoise, they're just one of the Mediterranean Tortoises, indigenous to the Northern beaches of the Mediterranean Sea.

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Spot the #leelatortoise! #TortLand #tortoise #instatort #easternhermanns #hermanns #hermanniboettgeri #outdoorlife

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#leelatortoise having her first #adventure in new #TortLand! #tortoise #instatort #hermanns #easternhermanns #hermanniboettgeri

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Care sheet

Hermann's Tortoise care sheet

Housing: a wooden vivarium or a wooden tortoise table

Heating: basking temperature of 90oF

UVB Lighting: desert strength 10%-12% UVB fluorescent tube

Diet: herbivorous mix of leafy green vegetation

Decoration: dry substrates and decor so not to raise humidity

Housing

Vivarium: Hermann's tortoises require a wooden vivarium as their enclosure. This is because wood is an excellent insulator of heat and so a wooden vivarium will make it easier to control the crucial temperatures required inside the habitat. The wooden vivarium should have good ventilation to allow air flow in and out of the enclosure.

The vivarium should be at least 860mm (34") in length for a juvenile and 1150mm (46") for an adult. The enclosure needs to be hot at one end, but have enough distance for the temperature to drop at the cool end.

Tortoise table: tables may be used for Hermann's tortoises, but as they can't retain heat they are only recommended for use in houses that are naturally warm. The table should be at least 900mm (35") lon

Heating

During the day, tortoises require a hot basking temperature. This is achieved by using clear spot bulbsat one end of the vivarium (or over a table). To accomplish the required basking temperature of 90oF we use a basking bulb (100w in a 46" vivarium). Basking bulbs should be on for 10- 12 hours per day and must be controlled by a dimming thermostat.

For a tortoise table we would use a combined basking/UVB bulb around 100-160w depending on the size of the table. The bulb is raised or lowered to achieve the correct temperatures.

At night tortoises require a drop in temperature and darkness. They can drop to room temperature, so all heating and lighting equipment should be turned off. Temperatures should be monitored daily using a thermometer

UVB Lighting

Hermann's tortoises actively bask in hot climates and so naturally receive a high dose of UVB from the sun. Their enclosure's UVB should reflect that. A fluorescent UVB tube should be used inside the vivarium with a reflector so no UVB is wasted. The tube should be at least 10% UVB for desert species. There are 2 different types of fluorescent tube, T8 and T5. T5 tubes are the new technology and produce more light and UVB than T8 tubes. T5 UVB also travels much further from the tube.

Tortoises require UVB in order to synthesise vitamin D3 inside their skin. The vitamin D3 helps the tortoise to absorb calcium which crucial for bone structure and growth. This is why reptiles can suffer from metabolic bone disease (MBD) when not provided with adequate UVB.

Over tables, combined heat and UVB flood bulbs (mercury vapour) may be used.

#Rambo #easternhermann #hermanntortoise

Gif: Rambo ( Eastern Hermann)

Written by Jasmin