Can Russian Tortoises eat Stinging Nettles (dried or cooked)?

Q: Can Russian Tortoises eat Stinging Nettles (dried or cooked)?

Stinging Nettles (dried or cooked) is rated caution for Russian Tortoises. Excellent Ca:P ratio (481:71mg = 6.77:1) and high calcium. Must be dried or wilted first to neutralize sting. ReptiFiles and keeper consensus: highly nutritious when properly prepared.

Agrionemys horsfieldii · Urtica dioica

Caution

2–3×/week

Specialist resource

Excellent Ca:P ratio (481:71mg = 6.77:1) and high calcium. Must be dried or wilted first to neutralize sting. ReptiFiles and keeper consensus: highly nutritious when properly prepared.

Feeding frequency

DailyWeeklyOccasionalNever

Caution

2–3×/week

HerbivorePlantModerate oxalateNot toxic

The short answer

Excellent Ca:P ratio (481:71mg = 6.77:1) and high calcium. Must be dried or wilted first to neutralize sting. ReptiFiles and keeper consensus: highly nutritious when properly prepared.

Feeding it safely

How much / how often

2–3×/week

How to prepare

Must be dried, wilted, or briefly blanched to neutralize sting before feeding.

What's inside

Per 100 g of raw stinging nettles (dried or cooked)

481mg

Calcium

HIGH

71mg

Phosphorus

6.8:1

Ca:P ratio

Moderate

Oxalate

2.7g

Protein

6.9g

Fiber

Backed by sources

Specialist resourceReptiFiles – Tortoise & Turtle Care Sheets

Cross-referenceKeeper consensus (multiple sources)

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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