Can Red-footed Tortoises eat Monstera?
Monstera deliciosa
Safety verdict
Toxic
Why
[confidence: high] [source: The Tortoise Table plant database, exotic reptile veterinarian review, and peer-reviewed veterinary toxicology literature on calcium oxalate-containing Araceae species.] Monstera deliciosa contains insoluble calcium oxalate raphides throughout its leaves and stems, which cause intense oral irritation, swelling, and potential gastrointestinal damage in red-footed tortoises. All parts except the fully ripened fruit are considered toxic due to this mechanism.
How much / how often
Avoid entirely; no safe quantity for leaves, stems, or unripe fruit.
Preparation
No preparation method neutralizes calcium oxalate raphides in Monstera foliage; the plant should be kept out of the enclosure entirely.
Reviewed by admin on May 2026