Hermann's Tortoise

Hermann's Tortoise is a relatively affordable species among land tortoises. It is also a resilient turtle and usually does not experience difficulties in passing stones, thus the occurrence of stones is not high. The disadvantage of Hermann's Tortoise is

Hermann's Tortoise is one of the representative species of European land tortoises, with a strong physique, lively and cheerful personality, moderate price, and medium-sized body shape, making it a very suitable starter species. Hermann's Tortoise has a long lifespan, with a lifespan of about 70-80 years without hibernation in captivity and a lifespan of about 120 years with regular hibernation. It is not recommended to hibernate small turtles with a carapace size of less than 5 centimeters.

Chinese name: 赫曼陆龟

English name: Hermann's Tortoise

Latin name: Testudo hermanni

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Subphylum: Vertebrata

Class: Reptilia

Order: Testudines

Suborder: Cryptodira

Family: Testudinidae

Species: Testudo hermanni

Subspecies: Hermann's Tortoise is divided into two subspecies, Eastern Hermann and Western Hermann

Geographical distribution: Southern Europe, Eastern Europe Balkan Peninsula and Turkey

Habitat: Habitat in grassland and forest areas. Hermann's Tortoise belongs to a more aggressive land tortoise, it is best not to keep multiple male turtles together. Also, do not mix with other species of land tortoises. They need to be raised for more than 3-5 years to reach adulthood, so keeping land tortoises is a long-term hobby. Male turtles bite the hind legs and heads of female turtles during the breeding season, so be careful to avoid injuries to female turtles. Suitable temperature: 19~27 degrees Celsius.

Body size: 14cm~16cm

Reproductive method: Egg-laying. Western Hermann turtles are smaller in size, and each female turtle can lay 3 eggs at a time, while Eastern Hermann turtles can lay 5-8 eggs at a time. At a temperature of about 30 degrees Celsius, the eggs can hatch in about 56-65 days.

Diet: Herbivorous. Mainly feed on weeds and high-fiber plants such as cacti.

Hermann's Tortoise is the most common entry-level turtle in Europe. It is also a representative of temperate land tortoises. They are distributed in the surrounding areas of the southern Mediterranean, so they can be considered as temperate land tortoises and therefore have a hibernation habit. The months of hibernation in their place of origin are from October to April of the following year, when the temperature in winter is relatively high. They do not hibernate really. On the contrary, the summer temperature is too high for temperate land tortoises. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to measures such as shading and cooling in summer. Generally speaking, temperate land tortoises do not need insulation throughout the year. Otherwise, it is easy to overheat and dehydrate, leading to refusal to eat and death. When the temperature is below 15 degrees, the most basic heating equipment is enough for insulation. A large number of Hermann's Tortoises are exported from Eastern European countries such as Yugoslavia and Turkey every year. The former can export 40,000 Hermann's Tortoises to Western European countries such as the United Kingdom and Central European countries such as Germany.

Hermann's Tortoise is a relatively easy-to-keep land tortoise favored by climbing pet enthusiasts. It can be allowed to roam freely in the summer, but a water bowl should be provided for drinking and a shelter should be provided to prevent excessive temperature. In the autumn and winter, it cannot be allowed to roam freely and should be placed in an indoor box equipped with a heating lamp and UVB.

1, Gonorrhea

At the beginning of the onset, the excretion hole has a red shadow, which is generally difficult to see. The reaction is sluggish when touching the hind limbs and tail with hands, and severe cases cannot crawl. The excretion hole is loose and has a foul smell.

2, Liver disease

The spirits are poor during the onset of the disease, and the movements are slow. In severe cases, the head is drooping and the eyes are sleepy. The liver is severely damaged and is the number one killer. It needs prompt treatment.

3, Respiratory tract infection

In the early stage, coughing occurs, and chunky white mucus is secreted from the turtle's mouth. The feces are odorous, and pneumonia may occur when the temperature is high.

4, Limping

There are two types, one type is not swollen; the other type is abscess, which can lead to necrosis, paralysis, and death.

5, Respiratory infection pneumonia

There are small bubbles when the turtle opens its mouth, and its breathing is obstructed. It has poor spirits, decreased appetite, and sluggish reactions. In the later stage, the neck twitches when the mouth is opened, and there is mucus in the nostrils.

6, Bilateral disease eyelid closure

Complications with other diseases such as pneumonia, gonorrhea, and liver disease. The eyelid bags dry up, and the eyelids close gradually, with a high mortality rate.

7, Edema

Generalized edema, upper limbs and upper half of the lower limbs are swollen. In severe cases, crawling is not possible.

8, Dystocia

At the beginning, the excretion hole often contracts, and in severe cases, it may bleed and cause genital infections. In the later stage, the genitals are exposed. Prevention is better than treatment.

9, Gastroenteritis

The spirit is dull, and in severe cases, there is no eating or movement. The feces are foul-smelling, and there is mucous in the excretion hole for a long time.

10, Conjunctivitis

In the early stage, a gray-white circle appears in the middle of the eyeball, and the front limbs are often used to rub the eyes. In severe cases, the center of the eye sinks, and the eyelid bags are dry. If not treated in time, it can lead to insomnia.

11, Floating disease

Due to long-term malnutrition, the excretion hole is infected by bacteria. In severe cases, the hind limbs are weak, unable to swim in water, weak, and float on the water surface. Eventually, it will drown and swell in water.

12, Deformity

Caused by breeding techniques, mainly common in juvenile turtles. The turtle's body is fat, the feet are bent, the hind limbs are soft when crawling, and the bottom shell and plastron are soft. There are oblique growth lines in the middle of the plastron, and the shell grows irregularly. In severe cases, deformation occurs.

13, Shell rot

This disease is more common in mature turtles. At the beginning, it is localized, and a small amount of pus flows out when pressed by hand. This disease is latent. If not treated in time, it will spread locally.

14, Neck rot

Mostly caused by bites during mating, more common in female turtles. There are injuries on both sides of the neck, which then ulcerate. Serious attention should be paid.

15, Necrosis

The turtle's body has previous injuries, and dead flesh is not eliminated. Tender flesh grows around the affected area, covering the dead flesh and forming necrosis, which will affect the turtle's health.

16, Skin fungal infection

This disease is latent. At the beginning, gray-white mold spots appear on the eyelids, nostrils, skin, and toes. In severe cases, red swelling occurs on the chin.

17, Trauma

The turtle's feet, tail, skin, and neck have bite marks and are red and swollen. In severe cases, abscesses form. It is caused by bacterial infection from self-inflicted skin injuries during fights, and severe consequences occur because it was not discovered or considered to be minor and not treated in time.

Hermann's Tortoise has a very slow metabolism, so no matter what food is provided, attention should be paid to the frequency of eating and the issue of acid defecation. Defecation and acid defecation are the fastest way to judge whether a tortoise is healthy.

First, the choice of Hermann's Tortoise food

The primary point is that the food should be diversified. There are three main staples: vegetables, various types of grass and grass powder, and tortoise food. Tortoise food does not contain moisture, and long-term consumption of tortoise food can cause the turtle to lack moisture and easily dehydrate.

There are two types of supplementary food: various vitamins and minerals, once a week is enough; calcium powder (squid bone) helps to supplement calcium and synthesize bone development, and squid bone can also grind the tortoise's beak well.

Second, the feeding frequency of Hermann's Tortoise

The secondary point is to remember not to feed too frequently. It is best to feed once every two days. The turtle's metabolism is much slower than that of humans. If you feed once a day, yesterday's food has not been fully digested at all. With food accumulation in the intestines, if the turtle eats again today, it will greatly increase the intestinal burden and let the food accumulated in the intestines rot slowly. In the long run, it is prone to acute or chronic enteritis.

In the wild, land tortoises usually have insufficient food, so the intervals between meals are very long. They can also enjoy ample sunshine, and the food they eat can be well digested. Therefore, do not compare land tortoises with humans. Humans eat three meals a day and can be fully digested on the same day, while tortoises eat one meal every two days to be fully digested.

Third, the acid defecation of Hermann's Tortoise

The defecation of land tortoises is similar to that of humans, while the acid defecation of Hermann's Tortoise is actually the same as human urination. The habits of these two organisms can correspond to each other. Similarly, if acid is not defecated for a long time, dehydration and stone problems should be considered. If you insist on feeding once a day, then you must ensure that the tortoise can be exposed to the sun every day. The sun can promote the digestion and calcium synthesis of the tortoise, and improve their appetite. The standard for feeding is if the tortoise has defecated on that day, then it can be considered for feeding, if there is no defecation, wait for defecation before feeding.