Basking

Can Red-eared Sliders eat Romaine Lettuce?

Trachemys scripta elegans · Lactuca sativa var. longifolia

Safe

Offer freely as an easy-to-accept green

The Tortoise Table

Low nutrition but readily accepted. Good "gateway" green to encourage leafy vegetable eating. Better than iceberg.

Safe

Offer freely as an easy-to-accept green

OmnivoreLeafy greenLow oxalateNot toxic

The short answer

Low nutrition but readily accepted. Good "gateway" green to encourage leafy vegetable eating. Better than iceberg.

Feeding it safely

How much / how often

Offer freely as an easy-to-accept green. Mix with higher-nutrition greens.

How to prepare

Float in water.

What's inside

Per 100 g of raw romaine lettuce

33mg

Calcium

30mg

Phosphorus

1.1:1

Ca:P ratio

Low

Oxalate

1.2g

Protein

2.1g

Fiber

Backed by sources

Romaine is safe for aquatic turtles, though low in nutrition. Better than iceberg lettuce.

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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