Keeping a Hermanns in a colder climate

MIReptilian

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Folks, I'm all over this message board lately trying to decide between a few different species.

Right now I'm trying to decide between a leopard, hermanns, box turtle, and possibly a redfoot.

I made posts in the leopard and box forums and figured I would get some insight here as well.

I'm in Michigan and looking for a tort that is tolerant of our hot, humid summers and can be easily kept in a basement enclosure (hibernate or not) for at least 6 months of winter.

I have 11acres so a large outdoor area can be built for the summer months. I have a 2000 sqft basement where I can build a winter habitat. Ambient temp in the basement during the winter is 65-70. I could provide supplemental heat to whatever enclosure I build.

I would appreciate opinions, suggestions or otherwise. I would like to hear from other Hermann owners that live further north.

Thank you!
Jeff
 

Elsa_the_Hermanns

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I live in Delaware and just got a baby Hermanns last month. My plan is to keep her indoors year round for a couple years, then move her outside. She's a great little tortoise now with lots of personality. She's active from about 9AM then goes to bed around 4. Right now we have her in am open enclosure that I spray down with water several times a day and pour water I to the substrate once a week. I feed her dandelions, clover, plantain weeds and grass and soak her three times a week. Other than that, she's pretty low maintenance.
 

MIReptilian

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I live in Delaware and just got a baby Hermanns last month. My plan is to keep her indoors year round for a couple years, then move her outside. She's a great little tortoise now with lots of personality. She's active from about 9AM then goes to bed around 4. Right now we have her in am open enclosure that I spray down with water several times a day and pour water I to the substrate once a week. I feed her dandelions, clover, plantain weeds and grass and soak her three times a week. Other than that, she's pretty low maintenance.

Yeah...after first considering a leopard tortoise, I think a Hermanns may be a better fit. It's a tough decision because I really wanted a larger sized tortoise (not a giant, but something that get's at least 12-15inches). But now I'm really considering the smaller guys for ease of care during the winter. I'm still kinda on the fence.

I also really like Eastern box turtles as I used to have one as a kid. But again, everything I read seems to indicate that when properly cared for, the Eastern box is a bit more difficult.

If you dont mind me asking, where did you get your hermanns from? Western or Eastern? Does she seem to be pretty outgoing?

Thanks
Jeff
 

method89

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I'm getting my Western from @HermanniChris. After watching his videos and reading his sites I have become obsessed with all thing hermanni hermanni. He has all 3 types of Hermann's plus a bunch of others. He is located in NJ and ships. He is super quick to answer all my questions. So while I haven't received my tortoise yet, if you go the Hermann's route, I highly recommend Chris
 

MIReptilian

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I'm getting my Western from @HermanniChris. After watching his videos and reading his sites I have become obsessed with all thing hermanni hermanni. He has all 3 types of Hermann's plus a bunch of others. He is located in NJ and ships. He is super quick to answer all my questions. So while I haven't received my tortoise yet, if you go the Hermann's route, I highly recommend Chris

Yep. That was my plan...but, I did email him the other day regarding a box turtle and havent heard anything back. Yeah, he definitely seems to be the go to guy for all things hermanni. Maybe I'll give it a few days and try again.

Did you call or email with your request? I'm wondering if calling may be better. I'm sure he gets overwhelmed with email.

Thanks.
 

Elsa_the_Hermanns

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Yeah...after first considering a leopard tortoise, I think a Hermanns may be a better fit. It's a tough decision because I really wanted a larger sized tortoise (not a giant, but something that get's at least 12-15inches). But now I'm really considering the smaller guys for ease of care during the winter. I'm still kinda on the fence.

I also really like Eastern box turtles as I used to have one as a kid. But again, everything I read seems to indicate that when properly cared for, the Eastern box is a bit more difficult.

If you dont mind me asking, where did you get your hermanns from? Western or Eastern? Does she seem to be pretty outgoing?

Thanks
Jeff

It is an Eastern female. She's fairly outgoing, but withdraws I to her shell if we reach in or pick her up.

I ordered from Tortoise Town before I read all the negative reviews of them on this forum. A lot of people don't seem to have had good luck with their animals, but as of now, ours is doing well!
 

MIReptilian

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Welp... I decided on the Eastern Hermanns and placed an order with Chris Leone. I'm getting 3 Easterns (One for myself and one for each of my two boys) and will create a a giant outdoor habitat for them and then the plan is to try and hibernate them (when they're of age) during some of the winter months. I'm super excited and glad I decided on the Hermann's for my climate here in MI. I'll be around this message board A LOT more often. Time to start shopping for supplies.!!
 

katieandiggy

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Welp... I decided on the Eastern Hermanns and placed an order with Chris Leone. I'm getting 3 Easterns (One for myself and one for each of my two boys) and will create a a giant outdoor habitat for them and then the plan is to try and hibernate them (when they're of age) during some of the winter months. I'm super excited and glad I decided on the Hermann's for my climate here in MI. I'll be around this message board A LOT more often. Time to start shopping for supplies.!!

I think you made the right decision.

When do your babies arrive? Are you going to start building your indoor enclosure?
Would be good to see pics when your done.
 

JLMDVM

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How exciting! I’m waiting on a couple Western H from Chris. Will be my first as well. I’m in Ohio so will have somewhat similar weather conditions and made my choice also based a lot on that as well.

Jennifer
 

MIReptilian

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I think you made the right decision.

When do your babies arrive? Are you going to start building your indoor enclosure?
Would be good to see pics when your done.

I'm not entirely sure when they'll arrive at this point. Chris said he usually holds them for a month after they're born and he advised this years batch has just started hatching.

I'm requesting not to take delivery until after the first weekend in September.

I'll definitely post photos of the enclosure I build. I need to really start looking at examples and bookmarking them. Initally the babies will be in a rubbermaid container until they're large enough for a full sized enclosure.

While they're small they'll be upstairs in our living room.

When they get a bit larger, they'll be outside full time during the summer and in the basement during the winter. The outdoor habitat will be quite large (30x15) complete with mini greenhouse/coldframe for cooler/rainy weather and an insulated night box.

For winter accommodations I'm going to build a very large closed chamber in the basement (due to ambient basement temps being on the cool side). The closed chamber will be easier to heat up to adequate temps.

I'll probably build the indoor enclosure this winter.

I'm happy. Cant wait to get them.
 

MIReptilian

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How exciting! I’m waiting on a couple Western H from Chris. Will be my first as well. I’m in Ohio so will have somewhat similar weather conditions and made my choice also based a lot on that as well.

Jennifer

Very cool. Yes, we will have to stay in touch and compare notes. I'm excited now. Making a decision and all the research I put in was a bit stressful. I read about tortoises for hours and hours every night for the last two or three weeks.
 

method89

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Congrats, we all should start a thread once we receive them comparing and contrasting the western and eastern.

I literally research them any chance I get. I do my best not to bug Chris with every question I can think of. I started writing them down so I can just give them all to him at once.

Best of luck with the Eastern Trio!
 

MIReptilian

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Congrats, we all should start a thread once we receive them comparing and contrasting the western and eastern.

I literally research them any chance I get. I do my best not to bug Chris with every question I can think of. I started writing them down so I can just give them all to him at once.

Best of luck with the Eastern Trio!

Thank you...Yeah...we should start a thread.

My understanding is that his wife is about to give birth to his second daughter "at any time now" and things around his place have been very hectic.

I'm not going to bug him unless I absolutely must. Most all info can be found on his website and YouTube videos from what I can tell. His website is very thorough.

We should definitely share our experiences though. Maybe start a "2019 hatchlings" thread or something. They say "it takes a village to raise a child". I be the same can be said about raising a tortoise. Lol
 

ryan mcmullen

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Yeah...after first considering a leopard tortoise, I think a Hermanns may be a better fit. It's a tough decision because I really wanted a larger sized tortoise (not a giant, but something that get's at least 12-15inches). But now I'm really considering the smaller guys for ease of care during the winter. I'm still kinda on the fence.

I also really like Eastern box turtles as I used to have one as a kid. But again, everything I read seems to indicate that when properly cared for, the Eastern box is a bit more difficult.

If you dont mind me asking, where did you get your hermanns from? Western or Eastern? Does she seem to be pretty outgoing?

Thanks
Jeff


Hi, Jeff. I've read at the bottom or your post that you decided on the Eastern Hermanns. Congratulations!

I did want to ask about your research and thought process. I'm looking to get my first tortoise (I've had three-toed boxes and a RES for years). I live in Oklahoma with very hot summers and pretty cold winters. Like you, I want a larger sized tortoise, but one that can hibernate, rather than be cramped for 4-5 months of winter each year. I'm definitely considering the Hermanns, but am leaning towards a Marginated. Did you consider them? If not, I'm curious what in your research caused you to steer away from them. I'm leaning toward them in that they seem to the largest tortoise that can hibernate. I'd appreciate and thoughts and advice you could provide.
 

MIReptilian

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Hi, Jeff. I've read at the bottom or your post that you decided on the Eastern Hermanns. Congratulations!

I did want to ask about your research and thought process. I'm looking to get my first tortoise (I've had three-toed boxes and a RES for years). I live in Oklahoma with very hot summers and pretty cold winters. Like you, I want a larger sized tortoise, but one that can hibernate, rather than be cramped for 4-5 months of winter each year. I'm definitely considering the Hermanns, but am leaning towards a Marginated. Did you consider them? If not, I'm curious what in your research caused you to steer away from them. I'm leaning toward them in that they seem to the largest tortoise that can hibernate. I'd appreciate and thoughts and advice you could provide.


Hi Ryan..

First. Thank you.

Yes I did decide on the eastern hermanns....
If I'm being honest, the marginated were not even on my radar. And now that you bring them up, I'm really not sure why. Seems as if they would have been a logical choice for me, or at the very least, in the top 3.

I was focusing all my efforts and research on Leopards, Hermanns, Eastern Box, and a bit on Russians and redfoots.

After speaking with my wife about finally making a decision we wanted more than one. Cant have two in the same enclosure so we opted for 3 hermanns. (I have two young boys who each wanted one and the other is mine :). The size of the Hermanns made sense for a trio and this is probably why I overlooked the marginated late in my decision making process.

Mine will be in my basement for the winter as our winters are very cold and the frost line extends quite a long ways down in the ground. I plan on building a large closed chamber for the winter as the basement can be a bit chilly and drafty. Housing several marginated might be a difficult task during our long winters

When they're of age, I'll probably try and hibernate them using the refrigerator method that Chris Leone suggested. I still have to look into it a bit more though as I dont know much about it.
 

ryan mcmullen

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Hi Ryan..

First. Thank you.

Yes I did decide on the eastern hermanns....
If I'm being honest, the marginated were not even on my radar. And now that you bring them up, I'm really not sure why. Seems as if they would have been a logical choice for me, or at the very least, in the top 3.

I was focusing all my efforts and research on Leopards, Hermanns, Eastern Box, and a bit on Russians and redfoots.

After speaking with my wife about finally making a decision we wanted more than one. Cant have two in the same enclosure so we opted for 3 hermanns. (I have two young boys who each wanted one and the other is mine :). The size of the Hermanns made sense for a trio and this is probably why I overlooked the marginated late in my decision making process.

Mine will be in my basement for the winter as our winters are very cold and the frost line extends quite a long ways down in the ground. I plan on building a large closed chamber for the winter as the basement can be a bit chilly and drafty. Housing several marginated might be a difficult task during our long winters

When they're of age, I'll probably try and hibernate them using the refrigerator method that Chris Leone suggested. I still have to look into it a bit more though as I dont know much about it.

Thanks for your reply, Jeff. Given that you wanted three of them, I definitely think you made a wise choice for your situation. I'm comfortable with a single, solitary tortoise, and so do have room for a larger marginated tortoise. My research has told me that you've got to be careful with ratios of male v females. I've read that a large group of females is perfectly fine. And that one male and several females is okay too. But two males together creates lots of stress for both of them. I'm sure there are tortoise keepers that have had different experiences however. I don't think any of that is anything you have to be concerned with until they sexually mature, and only then will you really be able to know what genders you have anyways.

I plan on adopting an adult male, and using the refrigerator method for hibernation. I also plan on using this method for hibernating my box turtles. My area has native Western Ornate Box Turtles and Three Toed Eastern Box Turtles, that obviously hibernate in the wild. But from everything I've read, hibernation in the refrigerator just seems far less risky than the many variables they encounter hibernating outdoors. I have certainly had box turtles that did not wake up from their outdoor hibernation through the years. I plan on keeping track of their weight and hopefully a more controlled hibernation can help eliminate those losses.

Again, thanks for your response and congratulations on your 3 new family members!
 

HoosierTort

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Congrats, we all should start a thread once we receive them comparing and contrasting the western and eastern.

I literally research them any chance I get. I do my best not to bug Chris with every question I can think of. I started writing them down so I can just give them all to him at once.

Best of luck with the Eastern Trio!

Ok, no joke! Chris and I had a string of 78 emails for the purchase of a single Western! He answered every single question(though like you I try not to be completely uninformed before hand). I already had an eastern and a Dalmatian and he helped me decide on the best Western for me. I’ll hopefully be dealing with Chris for a long time!
 
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