Can Greek Tortoises eat Lamb's Quarters?
Chenopodium album
Safety verdict
Caution
Why
[confidence: high] [source: The Tortoise Table plant database (tortoisetable.org.uk) and exotic reptile veterinarian review specializing in Testudo species] Lamb's Quarters (Chenopodium album) is high in oxalic acid, which binds dietary calcium and can contribute to metabolic bone disease and renal issues in Greek Tortoises (Testudo graeca) if fed regularly. It is edible in small amounts but poses meaningful risk to calcium metabolism in this species.
How much / how often
Offer only occasionally as a very minor part of the diet — no more than once or twice per month, and always alongside high-calcium greens to partially offset oxalate binding.
Preparation
Feed fresh and raw; do not offer wilted or decaying leaves. Combine with calcium-rich greens such as dandelion or endive to help counterbalance oxalate effects.
Nutrition (per 100 g)
309 mg
Calcium
72 mg
Phosphorus
4.3:1
Ca:P ratio
high
Oxalate
4.2 g
Protein
1.8 g
Fiber
Reviewed by admin on May 2026