General Hermann Tortoise Advice

[xenad]

Hi guys!

I'm new here and new to owning a tortoise in general.

My dad was given a Hermann Tortoise (at least this is what the guy said she is), by someone he works with, because the bloke didn't know enough about them, and couldn't be bothered to research its needs, but my dad hasn't got the space for one either because he already has a lot of reptiles, and big dogs.

He's asked me to take it because my house is quiet, I don't have dogs, and I also have the indoor and outdoor (during warm summer months only) space for her.

She's currently in a tiny open top enclosure that the guy had her in, and she's clearly not happy.. Rightfully so! She has the wrong lighting, no UV bulb.. It's just an awful environment for her.

So, I need all the advice!

1. What size should the indoor enclosure be?
2. What live plants are safe to put in the enclosure.
3. What is the appropriate day time, and night time temperature for a Hermann Tortoise.
4. What is the appropriate humidity level (What should it say on the Thermometer).
5. What vegetables are safe?
6. Can they eat fruit (this is probably the most mixed result I've had when researching!).
7. Would a terrainium be a suitable enclosure? It has a viewing window at the front, but also a window on the lid at the top, to allow natural sunlight/UV into the enclosure. (Pictured, but I would obviously get one bigger than this/make one if I can't find one).

I know to use T5 uvb tube bulb, and a flood bulb inside a ceramic reflector lamp, but what size, and what watt do the bulbs need to be?

Any other advice, please feel free to give it! I'm happy to learn 😊

 

[wellington]

Your tortoise needs a minimum of a 4x8 foot and outdoors larger if possible.
If the picture of the tortoise is the one you have, that is a Russian not a Hermanns.
A tube flourescent for uvb is needed unless you can get him outside several times a week.
An incandescent flood bulb for basking under temps of 95-100
And ceramic heat emitter(s) for added day heat that might be needed and for night heat if needed
Day temps should range from 75 cooler side to 80 warm side and then the basking area.
Night temps can get down into the 60's
Russians brumate in winter so if you don't want to do that, keep night temps no lower than 70 and brightly lit during the day.

 

[xenad]

Your tortoise needs a minimum of a 4x8 foot and outdoors larger if possible.
If the picture of the tortoise is the one you have, that is a Russian not a Hermanns.
A tube flourescent for uvb is needed unless you can get him outside several times a week.
An incandescent flood bulb for basking under temps of 95-100
And ceramic heat emitter(s) for added day heat that might be needed and for night heat if needed
Day temps should range from 75 cooler side to 80 warm side and then the basking area.
Night temps can get down into the 60's
Russians brumate in winter so if you don't want to do that, keep night temps no lower than 70 and brightly lit during the day.

Thank you for letting me know

The one in the photo, is the tortoise that was given to my dad, so I'm glad I posted on here now!

Would any of the requirements be different? The temperature, substrate etc?

 

[wellington]

Thank you for letting me know

The one in the photo, is the tortoise that was given to my dad, so I'm glad I posted on here now!

Would any of the requirements be different? The temperature, substrate etc?

No, the care is pretty much the same. The only difference is I believe the Hermanns need it a little warmer at night.
Also Russians are great escape artist and climbers. So an outdoor enclosure with a fencing on the bottom and top will insure they can't get out.
I laid a spare puppy play pen fencing on the ground and let the grass and weeds grow thru it. I don't use a top, but that's my area, if you need a top, a chicken wire or hardware cloth on the top can help with him getting out and others getting in
An easy enclosure would be 6-12 inch high by 8 to 12 feet long boards made into a rectangle. Then attach the fencing to the bottom. On the top make a lid out of 2x2 that can be hinged to the frame and attach fencing to the top of the 2x2's that would be the lid you could lift.