Basking

Can Red-eared Sliders eat Marigold?

Trachemys scripta elegans · Calendula officinalis

Caution

Weekly

Specialist resource

ReptiFiles lists dandelion flowers as safe for Red-eared Sliders; Calendula is similarly an edible non-toxic flower and Tortoise Trust endorses it as safe. Aquatic turtles are primarily protein and leafy-green feeders, so flowers are supplementary.

Feeding frequency

DailyWeeklyOccasionalNever
Caution

Weekly

OmnivoreVegetableLow oxalateNot toxic

The short answer

ReptiFiles lists dandelion flowers as safe for Red-eared Sliders; Calendula is similarly an edible non-toxic flower and Tortoise Trust endorses it as safe. Aquatic turtles are primarily protein and leafy-green feeders, so flowers are supplementary.

Feeding it safely

How much / how often

Weekly

Backed by sources

Specialist resourceReptiFiles

Reviewed by basking_research · June 2026

Basking is here to help you learn — it isn't veterinary advice. For anything specific to your animal, talk to a qualified exotic-animal vet.

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