Can Sulcata Tortoises eat Purslane?
Portulaca oleracea
Safety verdict
Caution
Why
[confidence: high] [source: The Tortoise Table plant database and an exotic reptile veterinarian or certified reptile nutritionist review for species-specific oxalate thresholds.] Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) is high in oxalic acid, which binds dietary calcium and can contribute to metabolic bone disease and kidney issues in Sulcata tortoises if fed frequently. It also contains relatively high moisture content, which is atypical for the arid-adapted Sulcata's natural diet.
How much / how often
Offer only occasionally as a minor dietary component, no more than once or twice per month, and never as a staple green.
Preparation
Serve fresh and unwashed of any pesticides or herbicides; do not combine with other high-oxalate foods (e.g., spinach, beet greens) in the same feeding.
Nutrition (per 100 g)
65 mg
Calcium
44 mg
Phosphorus
1.5:1
Ca:P ratio
high
Oxalate
2 g
Protein
0.4 g
Fiber
Reviewed by admin on May 2026