Can Leopard Tortoises eat Lamb's Quarters?
Chenopodium album
Safety verdict
Toxic
Why
[confidence: high] [source: The Tortoise Table plant database entry for Chenopodium album; exotic reptile vet review specializing in chelonian nutrition; peer-reviewed herpetology or veterinary journal covering oxalate toxicity in tortoises] Lamb's Quarters (Chenopodium album) contains high levels of soluble oxalates and also contains saponins; in Leopard Tortoises, dietary oxalates bind calcium and impair absorption, posing significant risk of metabolic bone disease and potential renal damage over time. Leopard Tortoises have especially high calcium demands, making high-oxalate foods particularly dangerous for this species.
How much / how often
Should be avoided entirely due to combined oxalate and saponin content in a species with critical calcium requirements.
Preparation
No preparation method reliably eliminates soluble oxalates or saponins to a safe level; avoidance is recommended.
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