Need help for this tortoise

[WizHi]

Hello, 2 days ago, I found this tortoise in my garden. I just gave it a low saucer with water in case it was thirsty, but as we sometimes have hedgehogs crossing the garden, i didn't think much of it. Turns out it didn't plan on leaving and has stayed in the vegetable garden since. I examined it a bit more to see if it was hurt or anything, went to the neighbors and then to a local petshop to see if it had a microchip, which it didn't. Could you please tell me from the photos if it could be a wild tortoise (living in Belgium so i very much doubt so, but maybe ?), if it needs urgent medical care and what species it is (from what i saw it seems like an eastern hermann's tortoise, as it validates all quick identifying tricks i found). If we don't find the owner in the next few days (pretty sure it was abandonned, but who knows ), we'll either adopt it or bring it to a shelter. Some advice help it during its temporary (or not) stay is welcome. Here are the photos :

 

[zovick]

Hello, 2 days ago, I found this tortoise in my garden. I just gave it a low saucer with water in case it was thirsty, but as we sometimes have hedgehogs crossing the garden, i didn't think much of it. Turns out it didn't plan on leaving and has stayed in the vegetable garden since. I examined it a bit more to see if it was hurt or anything, went to the neighbors and then to a local petshop to see if it had a microchip, which it didn't. Could you please tell me from the photos if it could be a wild tortoise (living in Belgium so i very much doubt so, but maybe ?), if it needs urgent medical care and what species it is (from what i saw it seems like an eastern hermann's tortoise, as it validates all quick identifying tricks i found). If we don't find the owner in the next few days (pretty sure it was abandonned, but who knows ), we'll either adopt it or bring it to a shelter. Some advice help it during its temporary (or not) stay is welcome. Here are the photos :View attachment 394089View attachment 394087View attachment 394088

It does look like an Eastern Hermann's Tortoise. It is an adult male tortoise regardless of whether my species ID is correct.

I am not sure whether Belgium is within their natural range or not, but if not, it may be someone's escaped pet. Maybe you could ask some of the people living in your area if they have lost a tortoise.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

As far as I know Eastern Hermanns are not native to Belgium, so I too would try to figure out if it has escaped somewhere.

 

[Yvonne G]

He looks like a long term captive, according to the carapace growth. In my opinion you should do all you can to find his owner.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I agree with Yvonne, you can tell he’s been captive bred and doesn’t look to have had the best start in life.

If no owner is found and you decide to take him on, feel free to go over these links

This is a care guide from one of the most experienced members here

The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies and care for adults? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. What is...

tortoiseforum.org

This one covers correct equipment(uvb, heating bulbs, lighting etc, there’s also visual examples on mounting your lighting), sizing(you can get away with slightly smaller indoors if you can build a larger outdoor space when weather permits, but still sizeable, the bigger the better), appropriately maintaining the humidity, safe substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, and a really handy diet link to check out!

Housing adult Russian and Hermans indoors

Hello there! In this thread I’m going to include some information an example of an appropriate indoor set up for an older Herman/russian. As much as it’s encouraged to have tortoises in a safe outdoor enclosure, I understand being from the uk myself, that some climates make it difficult to...

tortoiseforum.org

This includes lots of inspiration for an adult set up both indoors and out! The indoor bit has some good ideas to tackle indoor space whilst still providing the needed roaming room! Check comments too, I’m always adding to it.

Enclosure inspiration

Howdy folks! Hope everyone is well! As you all know, I’m a big fan of making threads that cater more towards visual learners like myself, I’ve really been wanting to create a thread full of adult enclosure inspiration for a while now, I’ve managed to find some great references over time! I do...

tortoiseforum.org

Lastly, this one here is probably most important to go over and keep on hand, it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates, housing etc, I always encourage double checking purchases on the forum too before buying

Common keeping errors

Hello everyone! I’d been a long time lurker on this site long before joining just under a year ago now, over that time I’ve seen these husbandry issues come up time and time again, sometimes with dire consequences☹️ I thought this thread might serve as a good visual guide for these common...

tortoiseforum.org

Hope they help if you need them!