Hermann's tortoise ( Testudo hermanni ) is a species of tortoise in the land tortoise family.
In France, it is also called Tortue des Maures .
This species is named in honor of the naturalist and physician Jean Hermann (1738-1800).
The western subspecies, the smallest, measures 18 to 20 cm when fully grown (the male being slightly smaller than the female). The yellow colour predominates on the shell, in contrast with the dark spots found there. The tail is longer in the male. It is distinguished from other turtles by the continuous black bands under the plastron. This is the most threatened subspecies, and is also classified as "endangered" by the IUCN.
The life expectancy of turtles in the wild is around forty years. In captivity it could reach one hundred years, more often sixty to eighty years. This longevity is explained by a metabolism adaptable to external conditions and by the fact that if they survive the first six or seven years of their life, they are then better protected from predators by their shell. This is nevertheless insufficient in the face of the destructive effects of human activities.
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