Reproduction

Sexual maturity of the Hermann’s tortoise is late, at the age of 12 years. The female has an organ (spermatheca) retain sperm for several years. Its eggs can be fertilized even though it did not meet male for several years.

The egg incubation period lasts 97 days, and outbreaks are related to the first rains of late summer. They usually occur during the first half of September.

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The mortality of the species is important in the egg stage and child. In contrast, sub-adults and adults are characterized by a high annual survival and, under normal conditions, enjoy exceptional longevity (up to 60 years in the wild).