A survey of the nutrient content of foods consumed by free ranging and captive Anegada iguanas (Cyclura pinguis)

Citation

Ward AM, Dempsey JL, Hunt AS. 2003. A survey of the nutrient content of foods consumed by free ranging and captive Anegada iguanas (Cyclura pinguis). In Ward A, Brooks M, Maslanka M, Eds. Proceedings of the Fifth Conference on Zoo and Wildlife Nutrition, AZA Nutrition Advisory Group, Minneapolis, MN.

Abstract

Nutrient concentrations were determined in foods consumed by both free ranging and captive Anegada iguanas (Cyclura pinguis). Twenty-two species of plants, known to be consumed by free ranging iguanas during the dry season, were collected and analyzed. The plant parts were separated and categorized for analysis as flowers, fruits, or leaves. Mean nutrient concentrations and standard errors (SEM), on a dry matter basis (DMB), included protein (CP) 9.61% ± 0.84, acid detergent fiber (ADF) 29.17% ± 2.29, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) 37.48% ± 3.06, and crude fat (FAT) 4.87% ± 0.81. Nutrient concentrations were analyzed in diets offered and consumed by captive iguanas held for re-introduction at a headstart facility on Anegada, British Virgin Islands. Captive diets were comprised of mixed greens (cabbage, romaine), natural leaves (buttonwood and parrotwood), fruits (banana, honeydew melon), vegetables (red pepper, carrot, cucumber, mushroom), and a commercial complete feed (Zoo Med Juvenile Iguana Diet). Diets consumed by hatchlings and juveniles were 17.36 – 21.97% CP, 18.24 – 34.95% ADF, 18.57 – 36.08% NDF, and 2.11 – 4.36% FAT. All captive Anegada iguanas consumed higher protein levels than those levels available in plants during the dry season. These captive consumption levels were similar to those consumed by headstarted Jamaican iguanas (Cyclura collei), as well as levels in plants collected during the dry season in Jamaica. The CP range consumed by Anegada iguanas was at the low end of CP levels supporting growth in green iguanas.

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