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Western Race Hermann's Tortoise (Testudo hermanni hermanni)
This race of Hermann's Tortoise is a very beautiful, diminutive and distinctive species. We first saw them some years ago on holiday in southern France. When we were given the opportunity to acquire captive bred stock we readily agreed and began our own breeding programme.
This species of the Hermann's tortoise is also referred to as the nominate race. They ocur in Western Europe pricipally from Sothern France, Spain, Italy and the Balearic Islands. They are very different from the more usally seen eastern race (Testudo hermanni boetgerri) and have a number of physical features which aid identification. However, some individual animals of the larger eastern race can approach the nominate species in appearance. We are still growing our young colony and still have much to learn. We anticipate it may still be a few years before we might obtain breeding sucess.
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The physical features of the nominate species.
The picture to the left shows the main identifying features of Testudo hermanni hermanni. Note the golden yellow background colour, the marked contrast of the black carapace markings, the 'keyhole' pattern of the supra-caudal scute, the two longitudinal dense black bands on the underside, the yellow scales to the ear coverts, the high doming of the carapace and the narrow gap at the mid line of the pectoral scutes of the plastron compared to the wider gap of the femoral scutes. |
The main phenotype features of Testudo hermanni hermanni. |
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Management
This species has proved as easy to maintain as our Marginated Tortoises and managed using similar methods. Our smaller individuals are kept in a mesh pen outdoors on warm days but brought indoors at night. They enjoy the benefit of a small spotlight suspended above their pen. This ensures they can thermo-regulate their own temperature and are always active and ready to eat. |
A juvenile female Testudo hermanni hermanni |
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Carapace deformities:
This speices is easy to maintain but their small size and beautiful appearance makes them irrestistable. However, they are 'greedy' animals even from a young age and restraint must be excercised in feeding. We try to give natural weeds with a vitamin and calcium supplement. Avoiding over eating and a balanced diet reduces carapace deformities but we recommend hibernation, even for hatchlings, to encourage smooth growth. |
The differences in the races of juvenile Hermann's tortoises.
The nominate animal is on the right of each paired image.
The eastern race animal is a well coloured example
but still appears duller in appearance.
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