{"product_id":"hermanns-tortoise","title":"Hermanns Tortoise","description":"\u003ch2 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eHermann’s Tortoise Care Guide\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTestudo hermanni\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdult: \u003cstrong\u003e15–25cm\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLifespan: \u003cstrong\u003e50–75+ years\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMales are usually smaller than females.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHousing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOutdoor housing is strongly recommended\u003c\/strong\u003e during suitable UK weather.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSecure, escape-proof tortoise garden with \u003cstrong\u003esun, shade, hides and natural vegetation\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIndoor: large, open-topped \u003cstrong\u003etortoise table\u003c\/strong\u003e, not a glass vivarium.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUse a deep, soil-based substrate allowing digging and burrowing. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBasking spot: \u003cstrong\u003e30–32°C\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWarm area: \u003cstrong\u003e24–28°C\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCool end: \u003cstrong\u003e18–22°C\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNight: allow to cool naturally; additional night heat is generally unnecessary indoors if temperatures remain safe.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLighting\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh-quality \u003cstrong\u003eUVB is essential\u003c\/strong\u003e when indoors.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvide approximately \u003cstrong\u003e12 hours of UVB\/light daily\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNatural sunlight outdoors is the best UVB source when conditions allow. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHumidity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGenerally \u003cstrong\u003e40–60%\u003c\/strong\u003e, with slightly more moisture available in the substrate\/hides.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYoung tortoises can benefit from a slightly more humid microclimate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvoid permanently wet conditions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrimarily \u003cstrong\u003eweeds and leafy plants\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGood choices include:\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDandelion\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlantain\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSow thistle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClover\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChickweed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMallow\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDandelion flowers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFeed a \u003cstrong\u003ehigh-fibre, low-sugar diet\u003c\/strong\u003e and avoid fruit as a regular food.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvide suitable \u003cstrong\u003ecalcium supplementation\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvide a \u003cstrong\u003eshallow dish of fresh water at all times\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYoung tortoises are particularly prone to dehydration.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRegular shallow bathing can be useful for hatchlings and juveniles. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShedding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmall amounts of skin shedding are normal.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnsure good hydration and appropriate humidity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNever pull loose skin off.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHandling\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHandle gently and only when necessary.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSupport the entire body with both hands.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvoid frequent handling, especially while settling into a new home.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNever allow children to carry the tortoise unsupervised.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHealth\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWatch for:\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSoft or deformed shell\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAbnormal shell growth\/pyramiding\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRunny nose\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSwollen or closed eyes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLoss of appetite\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLethargy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDifficulty breathing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRegular weighing is useful for monitoring growth and health.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSeek a \u003cstrong\u003ereptile\/exotics vet\u003c\/strong\u003e if concerned.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCleaning\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRemove uneaten food and faeces daily.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReplace soiled substrate as required.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClean and disinfect water dishes regularly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeep the enclosure dry and well ventilated.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBefore You Bring Your Animal Home\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLarge tortoise table and secure outdoor enclosure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUVB tube\/appropriate UVB system.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBasking heat lamp and thermostat.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDigital thermometers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSoil-based substrate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHides and shaded areas.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShallow water dish.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCalcium supplement.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSafe weeds\/plants.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutdoor enclosure must be \u003cstrong\u003eescape-proof and predator-proof\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eImportant Bits\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e☀️ \u003cstrong\u003eOutdoor access is extremely important\u003c\/strong\u003e for Hermann’s tortoises.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🥬 Diet should be based around \u003cstrong\u003eweeds and high-fibre leafy plants\u003c\/strong\u003e, not supermarket vegetables.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🦴 Correct \u003cstrong\u003eUVB, calcium and diet\u003c\/strong\u003e are essential for healthy shell and bone development.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🐢 Hermann’s tortoises \u003cstrong\u003ehibernate naturally\u003c\/strong\u003e, but hibernation should only be undertaken when the tortoise is healthy and the process has been properly planned.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🇬🇧 \u003cstrong\u003eHermann’s tortoise (\u003cem\u003eTestudo hermanni\u003c\/em\u003e) is an Annex A\/CITES species in the UK. Commercial sale requires the appropriate Article 10 documentation\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Peregrine","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58667775263101,"sku":null,"price":179.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0602\/4983\/3648\/files\/shutterstock_1490641913.jpg?v=1789128819","url":"https:\/\/www.snuffleandswim.com\/products\/hermanns-tortoise","provider":"Snuffle and Swim","version":"1.0","type":"link"}