Basking

Can Russian Tortoises eat Nasturtium?

Agrionemys horsfieldii · Tropaeolum majus

Safe

2–3×/week

USDA database

ReptiFiles explicitly lists nasturtium as safe for Russian Tortoises. Ca:P ratio of 2:1 meets the minimum target and protein at 2.3g/100g is within the acceptable 2–6% wet basis range per Tortoise Trust. Feed as variety food rather than staple due to peppery glucosinolate-like compounds.

Feeding frequency

DailyWeeklyOccasionalNever
Safe

2–3×/week

HerbivoreVegetableLow oxalateNot toxic

The short answer

ReptiFiles explicitly lists nasturtium as safe for Russian Tortoises. Ca:P ratio of 2:1 meets the minimum target and protein at 2.3g/100g is within the acceptable 2–6% wet basis range per Tortoise Trust. Feed as variety food rather than staple due to peppery glucosinolate-like compounds.

Feeding it safely

How much / how often

2–3×/week

What's inside

Per 100 g of raw nasturtium

120mg

Calcium

60mg

Phosphorus

2.0:1

Ca:P ratio

Low

Oxalate

2.3g

Protein

0.5g

Fiber

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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