Can Hermann's Tortoises eat Wood Sorrel?
Oxalis acetosella
Safety verdict
Toxic
Why
[confidence: high] [source: The Tortoise Table plant database (tortoisetable.org.uk), exotic reptile vet review specializing in chelonians, and peer-reviewed herpetology nutrition literature on oxalate toxicity in tortoises.] Wood Sorrel (Oxalis spp.) contains high levels of soluble oxalic acid, which binds calcium and can cause hypocalcemia and renal damage in Hermann's tortoises with repeated exposure. It is listed as a plant to avoid for this species due to its oxalate content posing a genuine toxicity risk.
How much / how often
Should not be offered; avoid entirely rather than treating as an occasional food.
Preparation
No preparation method neutralizes the oxalic acid content sufficiently to make this safe for regular or incidental consumption.
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