Cress

Greek Tortoise

Testudo graeca

Tortoise Trust specifically lists T. graeca as particularly vulnerable to goitrogens causing hypothyroidism. The Tortoise Table's orange rating applies; frequency should be lower for this species than for less vulnerable tortoises.

Yellow-bellied Slider

Trachemys scripta scripta

Dietary needs closely mirror Red-eared Sliders; Cress is acceptable in moderation within the vegetable component but goitrogenic compounds from the Brassica family warrant infrequent use. The Tortoise Table orange/moderate rating is the guiding reference.

Hermann's Tortoise

Testudo hermanni

The Tortoise Table rates Cress as orange/moderate for tortoises generally; goitrogenic risk from glucosinolates means it should not dominate the diet. Good calcium content is a positive factor.

Red-eared Slider

Trachemys scripta elegans

ReptiFiles and Tortoise Trust list watercress as acceptable for sliders; Cress is comparable but its goitrogenic potential merits moderation. The Tortoise Table orange rating applies and it should supplement rather than anchor the vegetable component.

Sulcata Tortoise

Centrochelys sulcata

Tortoise Trust flags Sulcata as particularly vulnerable to goitrogens. ReptiFiles lists watercress for Sulcata but Cress (Lepidium sativum) shares the same goitrogenic Brassica-family risk, limiting its suitability to rare, minimal offerings.

Painted Turtle

Chrysemys picta

Tortoise Trust notes aquatic plants and salad are freely offered for painted turtles; Cress can serve this role in moderation. Goitrogenic risk is lower concern for this species than strict herbivore tortoises, but The Tortoise Table orange rating still advises moderation.

Leopard Tortoise

Stigmochelys pardalis

Tortoise Trust specifically lists Leopard Tortoise as particularly vulnerable to goitrogens. The Tortoise Table's orange/moderate rating applies but frequency should be kept low given this species' heightened sensitivity.

Eastern Box Turtle

Terrapene carolina

As an omnivore, Eastern Box Turtles can consume a variety of leafy greens; Cress offers good calcium but its Brassica-family goitrogenic properties warrant moderation consistent with The Tortoise Table's orange rating.

Russian Tortoise

Agrionemys horsfieldii

The Tortoise Table rates Cress as orange/moderate, suitable in moderation. As a Brassica-family plant, goitrogenic compounds require rotation to avoid thyroid disruption in this species.

Red-footed Tortoise

Chelonoidis carbonarius

As an omnivore, Red-footed Tortoises tolerate a wider dietary range, and the good calcium content of Cress is beneficial. However, the Brassica-family goitrogenic risk still warrants moderation per The Tortoise Table's orange rating.