Care of hermans tortoise

Question
I have just purchased a hermans tortoise and am wondering what i should keep him in at night? also can they dig as i have bought a pen to put him in, in the garden during the day. what food should i feed him and how do i hybernate him during the winter, do they bite? any advise you can give me about looking after him is very much appreciated as i am going to do everything in my power to make sure he has a happy and long life, thanks, carrie

Answer
I'm betting that this is your first tortoise, and possibly your first reptile pet.

Tortoises are great pets, but they can take a lot of attention and care, no matter what a pet shop owner or someone might have told you.

This is an animal that is used to a Mediterranian climate, and one of your jobs, in order to keep it healty and happy (for up to 70 years!), is to reproduce its native climate the best you can.

One tool that will help is accurate information on care. A greeat place for this is www.tortoise.org- the California Turtle and Tortoise Club's website. This article would be especially helpful as a starting place for you:http://www.tortoise.org/archives/herman.html