Egas Moniz - Anima Nutrition MIMV.pdf

Egas Moniz NUTRITION AND FEEDING -MIMV- Exotic Animals SUMMARY Introduction Birds Reptiles Mammals Amphibians Introduction Nutrition in exotic animals is a key issue for the health of these animals....

Egas Moniz NUTRITION AND FEEDING -MIMV- Exotic Animals SUMMARY Introduction Birds Reptiles Mammals Amphibians Introduction Nutrition in exotic animals is a key issue for the health of these animals. It is common sense that the variability of species makes the nutritional scheme very difficult to achieve, if not impossible in some. Whenever we come across a species, we must know how they feed and, beyond that, what they feed on.  What to take into account when choosing the diet of a species? Introduction Hands-on experience Eating habits in nature Oral and GI tract morphology Nutritional research on alien species in the wild and in captivity Established Nutritional Requirements for Domestic and Laboratory Animals and People anecdotal accounts of the literature (e.g., case studies) physiological state of the animal (e.g., young, old, pregnant, etc.) Body Condition Introduction Animals, contrary to what we may think, when subjected to less appropriate diets are not as selective as that. Examples: Parrots eating Fried chicken; Ferrets that eat dog food; Sunflower seeds as the main diet in Parrots; Insects in iguanas..... Introductio Should animals eat only diets in the form of pellets, which are correctly formulated for the species? n Introductio Should animals eat only diets in the form of pellets, which are correctly formulated for the species? n Introductio Prevalence >29% of colorectal cancer in people who n eat ultra-processed foods. Introductio Is it really that different in animals? n I don't think so, not least because there is a lack of sustained studies to give us this information. There is a certain empiricism that animals fed only pellets can tend to develop tumors. The truth is that nowadays the longevity of animals is also much greater in captivity. Introductio With all these handicaps when it comes to feeding exotic animals, where should our n strategy lie? Introductio Should we give concentrated food? Yes! n Should we give vegetables? Yes! Should we give seeds? Yes! Should we give fruit? Yes! So, if everyone agrees, we should adjust proportions of each thing and vary as much as possible. Introductio A general rule, incorrect in its measure like so many others, is: n The feed should be about 10% of the live weight of the animal they are feeding. Introductio So what if the animal is sick? Is this formula suitable for all foods? n The feed should be about 12-15% of the live weight of the animal they are feeding. Introductio So what about when we receive a rare species and have no idea what it is? n Honesty above all, in this area it is impossible for us to know everything! And there's no harm in that. We can suggest to tutors that we will have to have more time to review literature in order to be able to give an answer adjusted to what those who come to us need. Introductio How can we find information? n There are open-access husbandry guidelines. These are documents created by zoo associations. This information is very useful at an early stage to be able to guide ourselves. However, it is usually outdated and we must supplement it with recent scientific studies. How do you think these studies of diets on exotic animals are done? Introductio How can we find information? n These studies are always difficult due to the wide distribution of species. REPTILES Reptiles We have many species of reptiles, about 9000. From obligate carnivores, insectivores, omnivores and herbivores. Unfortunately, in reptiles, we have a lot of nutritional problems due to lack of knowledge. Do you remember any? Reptiles Species with lifelong feeding transitions. There are several species that can have a great variation in diet, at different stages of life. And when this is not respected = Serious Illness Pogona vitticeps Bearded dragon In the wild, these animals have a great deal of variation in their diet. When young they usually feed on insects, they are voracious hunters. In adults, on the other hand, we find a diet almost exclusively of vegetables. These adaptations are due to the availability of food in the habitat Pogona vitticeps Bearded dragon In this study, 14 animals were evaluated, and the contents of the gastric lavages were recorded. 95% of the total insects ingested were termites of the genus Drepanotermes. Of this content, only 16% was plant matter. Being opportunistic animals, they can have huge variations in results. Pogona vitticeps Bearded dragon In captivity we have affordable diets in pellet form. These can remain at the base of the diet (30%), while insects (15%) can be provided, even in adults. The remaining percentage (55%) should be supplemented with dark leafy greens and vegetables. Some examples: carrots, peas, kale, dandelion greens, and beans. Ocadia sinensis Striped Neck Turtle Ocadia sinensis Striped Neck Turtle Gammarus are highly distributed in pet stores and are the nutritional source of many tortoises in captivity. Gammarus are freshwater crustaceans, widely distributed throughout rivers. They are the staple food of various animals, including turtles. The big problem is that this food is marketed after it has been freeze-dried. Ocadia sinensis Striped Neck Turtle In juveniles, animals should be fed fresh poultry meat, fatty fish (high amount of omegas). If they have access to freshwater crustaceans, so much the better. In addition, Gammarus and feed for young turtles can also be introduced. Feed: 50% / Fresh: 50%. Ocadia sinensis Striped Neck Turtle In adult animals, the reduction of fresh meats is limited almost to zero. Various vegetables (plant matter) can be provided, supplemented with feed for adult turtles. Feed: 20% / Fresh: 80%. Reptiles Are reptiles closely associated with calcium, and should calcium be supplemented? How does calcium assimilate by the body? What other factor is preponderantly directly linked to obtaining calcium? Reptiles Are reptiles closely associated with calcium, and should calcium be supplemented? How does calcium assimilate by the body? What other factor is preponderantly directly linked to obtaining calcium? Normally in reptiles the Ca:P ratio should be 1.5-2:1. Also the type of calcium is important. It should be noted that there are calcium chelators and various foods. For example, animals that feed on fruits and vegetables have oxalic and phytic acid that inactivate the absorption of calcium in the intestine. Reptiles Who helps me? Reptiles Insectivores Eublepharis macularius Leopard Gecko In nature they are known to eat arachnids, scorpions, centipedes, bees, among others. In captivity we are almost limited to commercially available insects: grasshoppers, crickets, mealworm, black soldier larvae, honey larvae, zoophoba. Amounts per day: 3-4 insects in young animals per day, 8-12 insects in adult animals every other day. These formulas are completely empirical. Eublepharis macularius Leopard Gecko Reptiles Herbivores Many reptiles are herbivores, and the plant content varies greatly with the habitat in which a particular species is found. It is easy to see that animals from desert areas have adapted to feed on plants that are not rich in nutrients, although very fibrous. Others come from tropical areas, where the abundance of vegetation is enormous. Iguana iguana Green Iguana Iguanas are arboreal and consequently strict herbivores. Make no mistake, these animals are made to digest plant matter. Thus, it is completely wrong to give insects to iguanas. Too much animal protein can lead to serious kidney problems. Unfortunately, although widespread as pets, iguanas continue to be the target of an unbalanced diet. Iguana iguana GreenIguana In captivity, we should give a varied salad of vegetables and greens. In addition, fruit can also be given (it doesn't have to be daily). There are granules for herbivorous animals, which serve to supplement their diet. In captivity, 25% granules are recommended, 70% vegetables cut into small pieces, leaving 5% for treats such as fruit. Centrochelys sulcata Spore tortoise They are from very arid areas, so the fibre content should be quite high. Beware of excess protein, it usually brings rapid growth, with an associated skeletal deformation. In the wild, they eat various herbs, usually dried. This is one of the few species that should have hay in abundance. Centrochelys sulcata Spore tortoise In captivity, we must have a diet that consists of 95% vegetables and 5% fruits (high in protein). Types of vegetables: mustard, cabbage, radish and turnip greens, cabbage, dandelions, rapeseed, hazelnuts, spinach, weeds, beet greens. Timothy hay is a great choice for improving fiber quality. To give in moderation: Alfalfa, peas, carrots, soybean sprouts, among others. Kinixys, Chersina, and Manouria Protein exceptions As there are always exceptions to the rule, some turtles need a large amount of protein in their diet, >5%. This is the case of turtles of the genus Kinixys, Chersina, Manouria. They usually acquire this protein, in addition to the vegetable, the animal as well and are classified as omnivorous. Testudo horsefieldii Russian tortoise In this species, we can provide a greater amount of fruit. They even eat succulent plants in their natural habitat. Types of vegetables: mustard, cabbage, radish and turnip greens, cabbage, dandelions, rapeseed, hazelnuts, spinach, weeds, beet greens. They don't naturally eat hay. A varied diet with: 75% vegetables, 15% granules and 10% fruits and flowers (Hibiscus). Birds Género Ara Fat requirements Animals of the genus Ara naturally eat various tropical fruits, as well as natural nuts such as cashews, macadamia nuts, among others. They are equipped with extremely strong beaks to crack nuts such as macadamia. A Human needs a hammer to do this. Not all of them are able to do this and this brings great differences in the diet of these animals. That is why we have to understand the particularities of each species Género Ara Fat requirements The species Ara chloropterus and Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus. These two species are particularly different, so the fat requirements are much higher than all the other 11 existing species. In captivity, the diet has to contain the nuts (which fortunately are easily accessible) macadamia, common walnut, Brazil nut, among others. Sometimes they are supplemented with palm oil (they are acquired naturally, in the habitat). Género Ara Fat requirements Base diet, about 10% of the bird's body weight. This volume should be divided by 10% seeds for macaws, 60% fruits and vegetables (where we include nuts), 30% granules with high fat contents. How to feed all species of Psittaciformes is a big question. Do you think we should put everything in the pan at once? Género Ara Fat requirements Do you think we should put everything in the pan at once? I don't agree! We should put the sprinkles in the morning, because it is less appetizing. At the end of the day, the seeds and vegetables. There are tutors who create trays where they place the hidden seeds, to stimulate the search for food and physical and mental activity. Género Amazona Tendency to obesity In these particularly the availability of food cannot be guaranteed. The diets for these birds are high in fat, however, in the wild these birds fly a lot to feed. In captivity they tend to be less active due to the availability of food, sometimes ad libitum. We should provide as varied food as possible and try to force less ripe fruits (lower sugar content). 70% fruit and vegetable, 20% granules, 10% seeds Género Amazona Sazonalidade And when we talk about the different stages of life? reprodutiva The Amazons, as well as other species, need a food transition (simulating what happens in nature), rainy seasons and times of abundance. These topics are studied and we call them nutritional boost. Out of the breeding season 50% fruits and vegetables (no tropical fruits), 20% granules, 30% seeds not very nutritious. Família Cacatuidae 21 Species There is a great deal of variability in cockatoos, as in other orders. Some examples, the cockatoos of palm trees and cockatiels. They are from totally different areas, the first where Palm Seeds abound and the other where there is a shortage of food. The latter is often found in the soil in search of herbaceous seeds that produce them. Família Cacatuidae Nymphicus hollandicus Cockatiels are highly disseminated as pets. It is one of the few birds that I recommend a poor diet, based on poor quality seeds, matching what happens in the natural habitat. They are forages and therefore the way they feed should be taken into account when providing daily food. About 10% of LW/day - 60% seeds (without sunflower), 20% vegetables and fruit and 20% granules. Família Cacatuidae Eolophus roseicapilus The cockatoo galah It is a large cockatoo that could be almost included in the genus of cockatiels. They are birds from arid areas that fly several kilometers to find food. They are a problem in captivity, because they are usually fed as if they were another cockatoo. Which is not the case at all. The basic diet is the same as that of a cockatiel, with few quantities and low quality. About 10% of LW/day - 60% seeds (without sunflower), 20% vegetables and fruit and 20% granules. Género Ramphastos Frugivores These animals are adapted to eat fruits, berries and even small vertebrates. They are animals that cannot have high concentrations of iron in the diet, so the diet should be chosen accordingly.