How much money do hermanns tortoises cost?

Answer 1

The tortoises themselves cost anywhere from $200 to $500 depending on age, but then, the cost of a pet is never about the cost of the animal itself, but also the equipment required to keep it alive and healthy.

The tortoise will also need a UVB lamp, heat lamp, turtle table enclosure (a tank certainly won't do it), thermometers, hygrometers, bedding, hides, and shallow water dish, and of course, proper food.

The food, consisting of a variety of fresh greens offered daily, can add up to a bit, since one cannot simply feed a tortoise common greens humans eat, such as lettuce. (Lettuce is not a recommended food for any animal).

During the summer months, Hermann's tortoises should be housed in an appropriately designed outdoor pen (directions exist online), with access to natural sunlight and shade, and fresh grazing. This should offer protection from predators, and the tortoise can be kept in it day and night when temperatures are appropriate, but it will have to be taken in when temperatures get too cold or hot, or it's too wet out.

Yearly vet checkups are recommended, particularly if the animals are going to be brumated, which is also recommended for healthy adult tortoises. You will need a controlled cooling unit to brumate the tortoise in (care must be taken when using a refrigerator, as they can be too drying, so humidity levels have to be monitored closely to prevent respiratory infection or dehydration due to excessive or inadequate humidity).

These tortoises, like many tortoises, and antisocial animals, and should be housed one per enclosure, unless they are being bred. Groups of one male and several females have worked, but must be monitored carefully. (Never place multiple males together, nor pairs, as the males will fight and injure one another, and a male will harrass a single female to the point where she becomes ill, or slams him and injures him).

Realistically, expect to spend around $700 to $1000 for a hermann's tortoise and all of the equipment and housing needed to care for it properly for its life, though you may need to spend more, and of course, that does not include food costs or vet care.