Spinach
Spinacia oleracea
Also known as: baby spinach, flat-leaf spinach
Safety by species
Russian Tortoise
Agrionemys horsfieldii
Very high oxalate content (~970 mg/100 g) binds dietary calcium in the gut, preventing absorption. Regular feeding risks calcium deficiency and MBD even if calcium is supplemented.
Hermann's Tortoise
Testudo hermanni
Very high oxalate — binds calcium. Not recommended as a regular food.
Greek Tortoise
Testudo graeca
Very high oxalate — binds calcium. Not recommended as a regular food.
Sulcata Tortoise
Centrochelys sulcata
Very high oxalate. Avoid or limit to very occasional amounts.
Leopard Tortoise
Stigmochelys pardalis
Very high oxalate. Avoid or limit to very occasional amounts.
Red-footed Tortoise
Chelonoidis carbonarius
Very high oxalate binds calcium. Safe occasionally but not regularly.
Eastern Box Turtle
Terrapene carolina
High oxalate — interferes with calcium absorption. Feed very sparingly.
Red-eared Slider
Trachemys scripta elegans
Very high oxalate content — interferes with calcium absorption. Avoid in regular feeding.
Painted Turtle
Chrysemys picta
Very high oxalate content — interferes with calcium absorption. Avoid in regular feeding.
Yellow-bellied Slider
Trachemys scripta scripta
Very high oxalate content — interferes with calcium absorption. Avoid in regular feeding.