Basking

Can Eastern Box Turtles eat Alfalfa?

Terrapene carolina · Medicago sativa

Safe

Weekly

USDA database

ReptiFiles describes Eastern Box Turtles as omnivores with a 50% plant diet component; alfalfa is an appropriate leafy green with no identified toxicity for this species. The elevated protein content is not a concern given this species' omnivorous tolerance and the protein is plant-derived.

Feeding frequency

DailyWeeklyOccasionalNever
Safe

Weekly

OmnivoreVegetableLow oxalateNot toxic

The short answer

ReptiFiles describes Eastern Box Turtles as omnivores with a 50% plant diet component; alfalfa is an appropriate leafy green with no identified toxicity for this species. The elevated protein content is not a concern given this species' omnivorous tolerance and the protein is plant-derived.

Feeding it safely

How much / how often

Weekly

What's inside

Per 100 g of raw alfalfa

32mg

Calcium

70mg

Phosphorus

0.5:1

Ca:P ratio

INVERTED

Low

Oxalate

3.99g

Protein

1.9g

Fiber

Backed by sources

Specialist resourceReptiFiles

Reviewed by basking_research · June 2026

Basking is here to help you learn — it isn't veterinary advice. For anything specific to your animal, talk to a qualified exotic-animal vet.

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