Hermann Tortoise too small?!

Swav1998

New Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2021
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2
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Lincolnshire
Hi, I have had my tortoise for a little over 2 months now. When I bought him (I’m referring to it as a he) they told me he was coming up to 3 years old in the summer, and on his notes/certificate it states he is a Hermanns Tortoise/Testudo hermanni and that his country of Origin is Croatia. So I did some research and discovered this was once referred to as a Dalmatian species however has since been demoted to a subspecies of Eastern Hermann Tortoise (please feel free to correct me if I’m wrong because I want to learn). However when I bought him, despite being nearly 3 he was still no bigger than the palm of my hand which surprised me. Is this normal? He has no issues, he seems in good health, he hasn’t lost his appetite once since owning him. This photo was taken the day I got him and he’s not changed size since. He just seems so much smaller than other tortoises his age. Is this normal?
 

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Tom

The Dog Trainer
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Hi, I have had my tortoise for a little over 2 months now. When I bought him (I’m referring to it as a he) they told me he was coming up to 3 years old in the summer, and on his notes/certificate it states he is a Hermanns Tortoise/Testudo hermanni and that his country of Origin is Croatia. So I did some research and discovered this was once referred to as a Dalmatian species however has since been demoted to a subspecies of Eastern Hermann Tortoise (please feel free to correct me if I’m wrong because I want to learn). However when I bought him, despite being nearly 3 he was still no bigger than the palm of my hand which surprised me. Is this normal? He has no issues, he seems in good health, he hasn’t lost his appetite once since owning him. This photo was taken the day I got him and he’s not changed size since. He just seems so much smaller than other tortoises his age. Is this normal?
Hello and welcome.

Many people don't feed, hydrate, or care for them correctly. There appears to be nothing wrong with your tortoise, and that size is not terrible for his age. Some of them grow faster, and that can be fine too, but I wouldn't worry about the size.

Most of the care info you find will be old, out-dated and wrong. Here is the current and correct care info:

Questions are welcome. :)
 

Swav1998

New Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2021
Messages
2
Location (City and/or State)
Lincolnshire
Hello and welcome.

Many people don't feed, hydrate, or care for them correctly. There appears to be nothing wrong with your tortoise, and that size is not terrible for his age. Some of them grow faster, and that can be fine too, but I wouldn't worry about the size.

Most of the care info you find will be old, out-dated and wrong. Here is the current and correct care info:

Questions are welcome. :)
Thank you! :)
 

TaylorTortoise

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2020
Messages
1,461
Location (City and/or State)
Abington
He looks a tad bit dry to me. I would make sure humdiity levels, and soaks are encouraged.
 

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