Good Beginner Tortoise?

[E27]

How big do Hermann's get? One of the big perks of the Russian is its size. Also, how readily available are Hermann's?

And I live in Northwest Arkansas so it gets a bit chillier here than in the regular Southeastern US.

 

[GeoTerraTestudo]

How big do Hermann's get? One of the big perks of the Russian is its size. Also, how readily available are Hermann's?

And I live in Northwest Arkansas so it gets a bit chillier here than in the regular Southeastern US.

Yeah, that's why I think the eastern Hermann would be best for you. They are native to countries like Croatia and Romania, which like Arkansas are humid, wooded places with cold winters.

None of the Testudo species is particularly large. Females are larger than males in this genus. The marginated is the biggest, growing to about 14 inches long. Russians grow to about 8-10 inches. Hermanns and Greeks are about the same size, perhaps a bit bigger. The eastern Hermann (which is native to the countries mentioned above) can grow to 11 inches.

Russians, Greeks, and Hermanns are all pretty easy to find in the US. Russians are probably easiest, but you can still find Greeks and Hermanns from breeders who sell their animals at expos, professional websites, or forums like this one.