Nutritional composition and digestibility by ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) of whole animals and a commercial diet
Abstract Felids are adapted to eat whole prey, but in North American zoos are usually fed processed diets based on muscle meat. We analyzed proximate nutrient composition and digestibility by ocelots of a commercial processed diet and whole animals of five species. The processed diet did not differ significantly from the whole animals in proximate […]
Variation in digestive efficiency of captive North American river otters (Lontra canadensis) on various diets
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.20116.abs Energy content, proximate nutrient values, passage rate, and digestive efficiency associated with various diet types and factors affecting these parameters have not been quantified for the North American river otter (Lontra canadensis). We measured energy digestive efficiency (DEff) and intestinal passage rate of three captive river otters on their regular diet (a combination […]
Differential resource use, growth, and the ontogeny of social relationships in the green iguana
Growth rates, resource use, and ontogeny of behavior patterns were examined in captive groups of juvenile green iguanas (Iguana iguana). Four groups were housed in large arenas where supplemental heat and perch sites were limited, whereas two control groups were housed in similar arenas without limited resources. Growth, frequency and types of displays, behavioral interactions, […]