Can Yellow-bellied Sliders eat Wood Sorrel?
Oxalis acetosella
Safety verdict
Toxic
Why
[confidence: high] [source: The Tortoise Table plant database, peer-reviewed herpetology and veterinary toxicology journals on oxalate toxicity in chelonians, and exotic reptile vet review specializing in semi-aquatic turtle nutrition.] Wood Sorrel (Oxalis spp.) contains high levels of soluble oxalic acid, which binds calcium and can lead to hypocalcemia and potentially fatal calcium oxalate urolithiasis in reptiles including Yellow-bellied Sliders. Repeated or significant ingestion poses a genuine toxicity risk via this well-documented mechanism.
How much / how often
Should be avoided entirely; no safe quantity is established for this species given the oxalate toxicity mechanism.
Preparation
No preparation method sufficiently reduces soluble oxalate content to a safe level; avoidance is recommended.
Nutrition (per 100 g)
90 mg
Calcium
36 mg
Phosphorus
2.5:1
Ca:P ratio
high
Oxalate
1.5 g
Protein
2 g
Fiber
Reviewed by admin on May 2026