Posted. There is no real set answer as all tortoises are different. Hermanns normally start laying once they become adults at about 8-10 years old, but this can be sooner if the tortoise has grown to their full size at a younger age (particularly when they are kept in captivity).It is normally the presence of a male tortoise that will trigger egg laying.However, sometimes a tortoise who has never seen a male will start laying infertile eggs on an annual basis. Alot of it is down to husbandry....t is normally the presence of a male tortoise that will trigger egg laying. However, sometimes a tortoise who has never seen a male will start laying infertile eggs on an annual basis. Alot of it is down to husbandry....