Can Hermann's Tortoises eat Pothos?
Epipremnum aureum
Safety verdict
Toxic
Why
[confidence: high] [source: The Tortoise Table plant database (tortoisetable.org.uk), exotic reptile vet review, and herpetological husbandry guides covering Testudo hermanni dietary toxins.] Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that cause intense oral irritation, swelling, and gastrointestinal distress; ingestion by Hermann's tortoises can lead to drooling, difficulty swallowing, and refusal to eat. It is consistently listed as toxic to tortoises on authoritative reptile plant databases.
How much / how often
Should not be offered at any quantity; remove from tortoise enclosures entirely.
Preparation
No preparation method neutralizes the calcium oxalate crystals sufficiently to make Pothos safe for consumption.
Reviewed by admin on May 2026