A one year old western hermann. This one is quite a big for that age, weighing in at 32 grammes. I have a hunch this will be a female as she big and strong, and she knows it too!
Hi all.
I am concerned about the level of humidity during refridgerator hibernation. I believe that the weight loss of a tortoise in hibernation has a lot to do with the amount of humidity in its environment. Refridgerators tend to be dry because air at that temperature does not hold much...
Here is a photo of this coldframe I just installed. The torts like it and it allows 60% UVB transmission. Its even got a little door for them to go in and out in the base. I've now got some cacti inside in pots and drinking bowls as well.
Small tortoise in this one
I know its the wrong time of year - but hey - I'm starting my planning early this year.
My 'biggest' Western will be six years in August but she's always been a bit light. The last two years she didn't make her safe weight for hibernation and so I kept her awake all winter and she did OK...
Hi everyone. I noticed that Danny recommended weekly bathing for a one year old Hermann. When my tortoises are indoors I bathe them most days, and that includes my juveniles. The water I use is just about the same temp as my hand (if that makes any sense). I believe they are fine with the...
Is there a preferred humidity I should provide while my Hermanns hibernate in the refridgerator?
Danny helped me with this question before and advised to at least measure the humidity. Well it varies between 25-30% which I thought was a bit low so I tried to raise the humidity with an...
In the past I've hibernated my Hermanns in a basically dry substrate and haven't measured the humidity in the refridgerator or done anything to raise it such as placing a bowl of water in the fridge.
Should I be taking measures to maintain humidity during hibernation, and if so - how much...
Thanks to all who have put up posts. I've been onto a few other people and forums and made some progress. Here's a brief summary:
Hermanns' essentially are a dry species but they tolerate and maybe even like more humidity than other Med species.
The main area for them should be dry but...
I mentioned that one of my tortoises was small and Terry has observed it is probably not. Maybe Terry has seen lots of 3.5 year old Hermanns that are a lot smaller than 52mm and 35g. Must be a miniature US subspecies of Hermanns as we very rarely get them in Europe!!
Terry comments as well...
I just found the forum for me - and I posted a couple of pics of my Hermanni Hermanni torts on the introduction forum. If you are really keen on Hermanns you might like a quick look there.
Hi everyone, I live in Scotland and am very lucky to care for 3 tortoises, they are Testudo Hermanni Hermanni. I think these are the most fantastic animals. I am constantly trying to improve the facilities I have for them. The weather here is a downside for us, but in the summer the torts are...