We are head over heels in love with Western Hermann's Tortoises (Testudo h. hermanni).  These miniature Mediterranean tortoises the most colorful and wonderful tortoise we know. They are in general the smallest of the Hermann's Tortoises and are also currently listed as endangered by the IUCN Red List.  These little tortoises are found across coastal areas in Spain, France and Italy as well as on the outer islands. While Hermann's Tortoises are well known in the pet trade as popular pets, its actually the Eastern Hermann's Tortoise (Testudo h. boettgeri) that is common. The Western/Dwarf/Italian Tortoise (Testudo h. hermanni) is much less common, in fact rather rare in captive populations in the United States. 

The locale we work with here are from the Madonie mountain region of Sicily. Due to their rarity in the US and the fact that these little gems are endangered in their natural habitat I have chosen to work toward maintaining an assurance colony. In future years we hope to get my animals linked in with the AZA Studbook program and with the Turtle Survival Alliance to ensure healthy genetic integrity and diversity for this species going forward.