Can Hermann's Tortoises eat Aloe Vera?
Aloe barbadensis miller
Safety verdict
Toxic
Why
[confidence: high] [source: The Tortoise Table plant database (www.thetortoisetable.org.uk), exotic reptile veterinary toxicology review, peer-reviewed herpetology or veterinary journal on anthraquinone toxicity in chelonians.] Aloe vera contains anthraquinone glycosides (including aloin/barbaloin) in the latex layer beneath the skin, which act as potent laxatives and can cause severe gastrointestinal distress, dehydration, and organ damage in Hermann's tortoises. The Tortoise Table lists aloe vera as a plant to avoid for tortoises due to these irritant compounds.
How much / how often
Should not be offered at all; no safe quantity has been established for this species.
Preparation
No preparation method reliably neutralizes the anthraquinone glycosides; avoidance is the only safe approach.
Nutrition (per 100 g)
8 mg
Calcium
5 mg
Phosphorus
1.6:1
Ca:P ratio
none
Oxalate
Reviewed by admin on May 2026