Can Sulcata Tortoises eat Lamb's Quarters?
Chenopodium album
Safety verdict
Caution
Why
[confidence: high] [source: The Tortoise Table plant database (www.thetortoisetable.org.uk) and an exotic reptile vet or certified chelonian nutritionist review.] Lamb's Quarters (Chenopodium album) is high in oxalic acid, which binds dietary calcium and can contribute to metabolic bone disease and kidney/bladder issues in Sulcata tortoises over time. It is not acutely toxic but poses real risk if fed regularly to a species with high calcium demands.
How much / how often
Offer only occasionally as a minor component of a varied diet — no more than once every 2–3 weeks and in small amounts mixed with low-oxalate greens.
Preparation
Offer fresh and raw; avoid wilted or fermenting leaves. Always pair with high-calcium, low-oxalate staple greens such as dandelion or opuntia cactus pad to help offset oxalate effects.
Nutrition (per 100 g)
309 mg
Calcium
72 mg
Phosphorus
4.3:1
Ca:P ratio
high
Oxalate
4.2 g
Protein
1.8 g
Fiber
Reviewed by admin on May 2026