Hermann's Tortoise

Hermann's Tortoise (Testudo hermanni) is a small, charming, and highly popular land tortoise native to the Mediterranean region of Europe. Characterized by their beautiful black and yellow patterned shells and gentle, curious temperaments, they make wonderful, personable companions. Hermann's Tortoises can recognize their owners over time, eagerly approaching for food. However, keeping a tortoise is a lifetime commitment; they possess an extraordinary lifespan, frequently living 50 to 80+ years in captivity.

Because they are native to Mediterranean Europe, their climate requirements are highly compatible with parts of New Zealand. In warmer regions like Auckland, Nelson, or Marlborough, Hermann's Tortoises can be housed in secure outdoor pens during spring and summer. The outdoor pen must have solid, climb-proof walls (as they will try to climb wire mesh) and be dug into the ground to prevent burrowing escapes. It must also feature a wire mesh roof to protect young tortoises from NZ birds of prey like hawks.

For indoor keeping, a "tortoise table" (a large, open-topped wooden enclosure) is far superior to a glass vivarium. The enclosure must provide a basking spot of 30–35°C and high-output UVB 10.0 lighting. Hermann's Tortoises are strict herbivores; their diet should consist entirely of calcium-rich weeds and leafy greens, such as dandelions, plantain, clover, and romaine lettuce. Never feed them fruit, spinach, or iceberg lettuce, as these cause severe digestive and metabolic issues. Unlike European keepers, most New Zealand owners choose not to hibernate their tortoises due to NZ's relatively mild winters, keeping them indoors under active heating during the colder months.