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The Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni) is a species of tortoise native to Europe.

Etymology

The specific epithet, hermanni, honors French naturalist Johann Hermann.

The subspecific name, boettgeri, honors German herpetologist Oskar Boettger. Although some factors indicate this might be correct, the data at hand are not unequivocally in support and the relationships between Hermann's and the Russian tortoise among each other and to the other species placed in Testudo are not robustly determined. Hence, it seems doubtful that the new genus will be accepted for now. The elevation of the subspecies to full species was tentatively rejected under the biological species concept at least, as there still seems significant gene flow.

Of note, the rate of evolution as measured by mutations accumulating in the mtDNA differs markedly, with the eastern populations having evolved faster. This is apparently due to stronger fragmentation of the population on the mountainous Balkans during the last ice age. While this has no profound implications for taxonomy of this species, apart from suggesting that two other proposed subspecies are actually just local forms at present, it renders the use of molecular clocks in Testudo even more dubious and unreliable than they are for tortoises in general.<!-- only ref for mol-clock problems in turtles --> (Balkans coast) and the local T. h. peloponnesica (southwestern Peloponnesus coast) are now included here; they constitute local forms that are not yet geographically or in other ways reproductively isolated and apparently, derive from relict populations of the last ice age. Hermann's tortoise was similarly introduced to Cyprus.

Description

Hermann's tortoises are small to medium-sized tortoises from southern Europe. Young animals and some adults have attractive black and yellow-patterned carapaces, although the brightness may fade with age to a less distinct gray, straw, or yellow coloration. They have slightly hooked upper jaws and, like other tortoises, possess no teeth, just strong, horny beaks. Immediately after surfacing from their winter resting place, Hermann's tortoises commence courtship and mating.

thumb|A female of T. h. boettgeri subspecies laying eggs in soil pit

thumb|A hatchling of T. h. hermanni

Between May and July, female Hermann's tortoises deposit between two and 12 eggs into flask-shaped nests dug into the soil, If they survive these threats, the longevity of Hermann's tortoises is around 30 years. Compared to other tortoises (e.g. Testudo graeca), or more.

Hibernation

In nature, Hermann's tortoises dig their nightly shelters out and spend the relatively mild Mediterranean winters there. During this time, their heart and breathing rates drop notably. Captive bred animals can be kept in the basement in a roomy rodent-proof box with a thick layer of dry leaves. The temperature should be around 5&nbsp;°C. As an alternative, the box can be stored in a refrigerator. For this method to be used, the refrigerator should be in regular day-to-day use, to permit air flow. During hibernation, the ambient temperature must not fall below zero. Full-grown specimens may sleep four to five months at a time.

In captivity

Hermann's tortoise can be kept indoors with adequate living conditions provided by the owner. It requires a heat lamp set at around 26-35°C or 80-90°F to provide a basking area. This was shown to aid in increasing population numbers by reintroducing other tortoises of the same species.

See also

  • Mediterranean tortoise
  • List of reptiles of Italy
  • Jackson ratio

References

  • Guide to keeping Hermann's Tortoises.
  • Breeding Hermann's Tortoises.