Hermann's Tortoise: where and when to see them

Hermann's tortoise is a Mediterranean land tortoise with a domed shell patterned in yellow and dark brown or black. Eastern populations occur in the Balkans, including Croatia and Greece. It depends on varied, relatively open vegetation rather than uniformly dense woodland. Habitat loss, road mortality, fire and illegal collection threaten populations, making an undisturbed animal in natural habitat more valuable than any close photograph or handling opportunity.

Size

15-25 cm shell length

Weight

0.7-2.5 kg

Lifespan

50-80 years

Status

Near Threatened

Activity follows temperature closely: tortoises bask to warm up, feed during suitable conditions and retreat into shade when heat becomes excessive. They spend winter inactive in sheltered ground refuges, with timing varying by climate and elevation. Courtship can involve persistent following, shell contact and biting. Females dig nests in soil and leave the eggs to develop without parental care, so exposed nesting ground is an important habitat component. Sunlight exposure is critical for vitamin D synthesis, necessary for calcium absorption and overall health. Females may dig multiple test nests before finally laying their clutch, an energy-intensive process that leaves them vulnerable during excavation.

• The shell contains living bone and is part of the skeleton.
• Females are generally larger than males.
• Egg incubation temperature influences the sex of hatchlings.
• The tail ends in a distinctive hard, nail-like tip.

Spring and early autumn usually provide the most comfortable conditions for daytime activity. During hot summer weather, animals may remain hidden for much of the day. Local rainfall, altitude and temperature matter more than a fixed calendar, and winter activity is generally limited. In Mediterranean climates, spring blooms provide abundant food sources and mating opportunities, making it a highly active period. Early autumn offers cooler temperatures and often renewed plant growth after summer droughts, stimulating a second peak in activity before winter dormancy.

Typical habitat combines Mediterranean scrub, open oak woodland, grassy clearings, hedges and traditional low-intensity farmland. Coastal hills can be suitable where vegetation provides both sunny patches and shelter. Intensively developed beaches and heavily cultivated plains generally offer much poorer conditions. The species shows a preference for dry, sunny areas but requires access to moist refuges during hot periods. Its distribution is often fragmented by human development, necessitating corridors for dispersal and genetic exchange.

Hermann's tortoises mainly graze broad-leaved herbs, flowers and other low vegetation. Their natural food is fibrous and seasonally variable. They may occasionally consume animal material, but fruit, bread and kitchen scraps are inappropriate offerings that can alter behaviour and harm health. Calcium is vital for shell development and health, hence tortoises actively seek out calcium-rich plants. They also obtain essential moisture from their food, making access to diverse vegetation crucial during dry spells.

Common name

Hermann's Tortoise

Scientific name

Testudo hermanni

Animal group

Reptiles

Size

15-25 cm shell length

Weight

0.7-2.5 kg

Lifespan

50-80 years

Status

Near Threatened

Identification

A horny tail tip and usually divided scute above the tail help distinguish Hermann's tortoise from spur-thighed tortoises, which typically have prominent thigh spurs. Beyond tail characteristics, a key identifier is the usually unhinged plastron and the generally flatter, more elongated carapace compared to some other Mediterranean tortoises. The coloration varies, but typically includes yellow to olive-brown scutes with prominent dark blotches.