Can Greek Tortoises eat Wood Sorrel?
Oxalis acetosella
Safety verdict
Toxic
Why
[confidence: high] [source: The Tortoise Table plant database (tortoisetable.org.uk), exotic reptile veterinarian review, and peer-reviewed herpetology or veterinary toxicology literature on oxalate toxicity in chelonians.] Wood Sorrel (Oxalis spp.) contains high levels of soluble oxalic acid, which binds calcium and can cause hypocalcemia and renal damage in Greek Tortoises (Testudo graeca). It is listed as a plant to avoid for tortoises due to this known oxalate toxicity mechanism.
How much / how often
Should not be offered; avoid entirely due to oxalate content and cumulative calcium-binding risk.
Preparation
No preparation method neutralizes the soluble oxalates sufficiently to make this plant safe for regular or occasional feeding.
Nutrition (per 100 g)
90 mg
Calcium
36 mg
Phosphorus
2.5:1
Ca:P ratio
high
Oxalate
1.5 g
Protein
2 g
Fiber
Reviewed by admin on May 2026