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[PsyKoViggy]

Right, well.
I was just wondering if clovers were dangerous if eaten?
Every time i take Till outside and put him on the grass he'll poddle around a little, flicking his tongued like crazy, untill he finds a clover. Then he'll go for it as if it were a peice of chicken!
Just wondering if it would be alright to let him eat a bit, seeing as he seems to desperate to, or if it would be unsafe.
We don't use any chemicals, weed killers, fertilizers or anything like that.

Thanks!

[The Londoner]

I really don't know the answer to that but and I may be wrong surley they would know themselves if things are good or bad for them you know some sort of built in instinct??. Sue

[Scotts1au]

Not sure that I can help out too much other than to say that there is not much that resembles true clovers in Aus - don't know about PNG, Indonesia etc, only some native legumes that are a bit hairy (Lotus species) and not too apetizing looking. We have other native legumes - ie. Kennedia,Hovea etc I suppose they might form a useful source of nitrates or vitamins that they are naturally drawn to. Guess.

Edit:If I remember correctly- it was your bluey who ate the banana peel ? Sounds like a real character.

[Lucifer_Spades]

I am assuming by clover you mean the common white clover you find in lawns frequently.

I did a little reasearch and all I found on white clover was that it was an excellent feed for cattle and cotained lots of protein, vitamin A, and carbs.

I also know of many people who have fed their Iguanas and Beardies white clover for years with no seeming problems.

If you meant red clover it gets a touch stickier as while it also makes a good feed for the same reasons. It also cotains high levels of Isoflavines much like soy. It's used as an herbal suppliment for menopausal women and the Isoflavinoids have a similar effect as estrogen.


I would say based on the things I found, a munch or two every so often on white clover is fine as a treat. Red clover however I would steer clear of since the effects of isoflavinoids are questionable in reptiles.

[Scotts1au]

Clovers can also be high in eostrogens however probably wouldn't be an issue unless it ate a lot of them.

[Leigh]

I would be interested in the content of the leaves, as a source of greens.

[PsyKoViggy]

Oh, yes, i'm sorry, i forgot to say, its the leaves hes after rather than the flowers.
Ones like these

[Raven_Vivi]

heehee that was what i was thinking when you said clovers >_<

[Lucifer_Spades]

Ok, those are not clovers, those are woodsorral or shamrocks and they contain chemicals that when eaten in large amounts can make humans sick. though in small amouts make yummy accent flavors for salads.

Since we'd have no way of knowing the effects of the potassium oxalate or the oxalic acid on reptiles or how much they can handle. I would steer clear.

[PsyKoViggy]

Everyone i know over here calls them clovers, heh, sorry for the confusion.
Right, well, i'll keep stopping him them.
Silly boy, he was trying to eat a paving slab earlier as well.

[Zach]

3 leaf clovers yes, 4 leaf clovers no.

[Fatal_S]

Why not 4 leaf? Then you'd have a lucky skink

[bluetonguemad]

a paving slab, hahaha, was he dropped on his head as a baby skink, lol,

[rachel]

^^^ LOL bluetonguemad...
(sorry i have nothing constructive to add here)

[PsyKoViggy]

Ha ha, aww.
I think he just gets a bit over enthusiastic
Must be so many new flavours to sample when you've lived all your life in vivariums.

[twiztidfaces]

This is my wifes username, but I just had to post. I keep turtles and tortoises and always feed them clovers. Clovers are actually a healthy choice for reptiles. The clovers with white streaks in them can be toxic if consumed in large amounts, but normal green clovers are perfectly fine.