Distribution and Habitat
Hermann’s Tortoises are found distributed throughout northeast Spain, southeast France, southern Italy, along the northern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, Romania and Greece.
Hermann’s Tortoises live in dry meadows, arid hillsides, rocky slopes and farmland. They prefer areas with shade and hidden resting places, and generally avoiding moist areas.
Hermann’s Tortoises have distinctly colored, yellow-orange domed shell, with bold black markings. The head is brown or black, with a yellow spot on each side of the head. The upper jaw is slightly hooked, with a horny beak. The scaly limbs are grayish or brown, with yellow markings. Adult males have tails which bear a spur, (a horny spike) at the tip and which are longer and thicker than the tails of the females. Hermann’s Tortoises rarely grow larger than 18 cm (7.5 in), and may be as small as 7 cm (3 in). In captivity, they may live for 30 years.
The Hermann’s Tortoise is a European Tortoise.
Male Hermann’s Tortoises have a distinct spur on the tip of their tail.
Hermann’s Tortoise’s natural predators include rats, badgers, magpies, foxes, wild boar and many other animals.