Some Results Spanning 5 Years

HermanniChris

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The following photos show the results of tortoises being reared under the southern, coastal NJ sunshine and being subjected to all 4 seasons. These 3 western Hermann’s tortoises (Testudo hermanni hermanni) were all hatched here and represent 3 different ages from 3 different distinct locales. The largest is a 5 year old from Apulia, Italy, the second largest is a 2 year old from Calabria, Italy and the smallest is a 1 year old from Mallorca, Spain. None of these have ever spent a day of their lives indoors besides the first week after hatching and have brumated naturally outdoors here. Other Testudo species including the other Hermann’s (boettgeri & “hercegovinensis”), Testudo graeca ibera, Testudo marginata and Testudo horsfieldii are all raised outdoors, year round here as well.
 

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Ink

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They are beautiful.
 

Len B

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Thanks for posting this thread. I have 4 eastern, 2 adults and 2 youngsters that hatched here in Virginia. I've been afraid to leave them outside all winter so I bring them in mid November and cool them down and take them back outside mid February. I have to amend the soil some because there is clay and it makes it difficult for them to dig in sometimes. I remember at one point you were close to the Pine Barrens which has a more sandy soil. But I think you moved (could be wrong) but is your soil sort of sandy? I really enjoy the Hermann's and if I can leave them outside all year they will be much better off.
 

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