Basking

Oleander

Nerium oleander

Also known as: common oleander, rose bay

Not veterinary advice. This information is for educational purposes. Always consult a qualified exotic animal veterinarian for guidance specific to your pet.

Safety by species

Russian Tortoise

Agrionemys horsfieldii

Extremely toxic. Contains oleandrin and other cardiac glycosides — a few leaves can be lethal. Do not plant near tortoise enclosures.

Toxic

Hermann's Tortoise

Testudo hermanni

Extremely toxic — a few leaves can be lethal. Do not plant near enclosures.

Toxic

Greek Tortoise

Testudo graeca

Cardiac glycosides — a few leaves can be lethal.

Toxic

Sulcata Tortoise

Centrochelys sulcata

Extremely toxic cardiac glycosides. Do not plant near enclosures.

Toxic

Leopard Tortoise

Stigmochelys pardalis

Extremely toxic — a few leaves can be lethal.

Toxic

Red-footed Tortoise

Chelonoidis carbonarius

Extremely toxic. Do not plant near enclosures.

Toxic

Eastern Box Turtle

Terrapene carolina

Extremely toxic — a few leaves can be lethal.

Toxic

Yellow-bellied Slider

Trachemys scripta scripta

[confidence: high] [source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control (cross-ref); exotic reptile toxicology review; oleandrin cardiac toxicity in vertebrates] Oleander (Nerium oleander) contains oleandrin, a potent cardiac glycoside; all parts highly toxic and can cause fatal arrhythmia in reptiles including aquatic turtles.

Toxic

Painted Turtle

Chrysemys picta

[confidence: high] [source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control (cross-ref); exotic reptile toxicology review; oleandrin cardiac toxicity in vertebrates] Oleander (Nerium oleander) contains oleandrin, a potent cardiac glycoside; all parts are highly toxic and can cause fatal arrhythmia in reptiles.

Toxic

Red-eared Slider

Trachemys scripta elegans

[confidence: high] [source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control (cross-ref); exotic reptile toxicology review; oleandrin cardiac toxicity in vertebrates] Oleander (Nerium oleander) contains oleandrin, a potent cardiac glycoside; all parts are highly toxic and can cause fatal arrhythmia in reptiles including aquatic turtles.

Toxic