Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a one-ish hermanns tort and I was wondering why they aren't as popular as other torts. I thought it was the perfect species for me due to it's smaller size and large personality. I just don't see many hermanns breeders, care sheets, or very many pictures. Anyone have any theories? I'm not trying to degrade any other type of tort, I just was curious why hermanns popularity is so low. I don't think I've ever seen a picture of an adult hermanns come to think of it...

Cheers!
Nicole

Availability - Between small clutch size, and low import numbers they aren't as available as other species.
jbly

>>I have a one-ish hermanns tort and I was wondering why they aren't as popular as other torts. I thought it was the perfect species for me due to it's smaller size and large personality. I just don't see many hermanns breeders, care sheets, or very many pictures. Anyone have any theories? I'm not trying to degrade any other type of tort, I just was curious why hermanns popularity is so low. I don't think I've ever seen a picture of an adult hermanns come to think of it...
>>
>>Cheers!
>>Nicole

T. hermanni are really cool tortoises. Easy to care for, easy to breed and manageable size, and adaptable to temperate climates, they have many pluses. I am told (I do not keep them currently) that hermanni males are very agressive, amorous males constantly harrassing other tortoises and really creating a lot of stress. For persons with only one, or a female(s), not an issue... Care is similar to that for T. graeca, especially ibera. See Highfield's book and Tortoise Trust and California Turtle and Tortoise Club among others for information.

I can confirm that male hermanni are aggressive. A friend of mine has a group of 3.4 and has to keep each male in its own pen except when breeding. Greeks do a lot of ramming but don't bite like the hermans. The hermann males bite each other and won't give the females a break. Even so, they have ton of personality and are great tortoises.
jbly

>>T. hermanni are really cool tortoises. Easy to care for, easy to breed and manageable size, and adaptable to temperate climates, they have many pluses. I am told (I do not keep them currently) that hermanni males are very agressive, amorous males constantly harrassing other tortoises and really creating a lot of stress. For persons with only one, or a female(s), not an issue... Care is similar to that for T. graeca, especially ibera. See Highfield's book and Tortoise Trust and California Turtle and Tortoise Club among others for information.

Is there another name for Hermanns tortoises?

I have a Russian and a hingeback. I see very very few hingebacks. Lobo, my hingeback, is a great tortoise, but he's very shy. My Russian, Jenna, thinks she's a person. LOL

Maleea