Oleander
Nerium oleander
Also known as: common oleander, rose bay
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.
Hermann's Tortoise
Testudo hermanni
Extremely toxic — a few leaves can be lethal. Do not plant near enclosures.
Greek Tortoise
Testudo graeca
Cardiac glycosides — a few leaves can be lethal.
Sulcata Tortoise
Centrochelys sulcata
Extremely toxic cardiac glycosides. Do not plant near enclosures.
Leopard Tortoise
Stigmochelys pardalis
Extremely toxic — a few leaves can be lethal.
Red-footed Tortoise
Chelonoidis carbonarius
Extremely toxic. Do not plant near enclosures.
Eastern Box Turtle
Terrapene carolina
Extremely toxic — a few leaves can be lethal.
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.
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.
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.