A comparison of dietary intake in captive, Jamaican Iguanas (Cyclura collei) at four United States zoos

Citation

Ward AM, Dempsey JL, Hudson R. 2001. A comparison of dietary intake in captive, Jamaican Iguanas (Cyclura collei) at four United States zoos. In Edwards M, Lisi KJ, Schlegel ML, Bray RE, Eds., Proceedings of the Fourth Conference on Zoo and Wildlife Nutrition, AZA Nutrition Advisory Group, Lake Buena Vista, FL.

Abstract

The dietary intake of captive, Jamaican iguanas (Cyclura collei) was measured at four institutions including four U.S. zoos, Indianapolis Zoo (n = 1, 1.2 iguanas), Fort Worth Zoo (n = 2, 2.2 iguanas), Sedgwick County Zoo (n = 3, 1.2 iguanas), and San Diego Zoo – CRES (n = 3, 3.3 iguanas). The diets offered at all four zoos consisted mainly of a type of reptile salad, containing a variety of fruits, vegetables, and leafy greens, with or without the use of nutritionally complete feeds and other supplements. The diets offered and food remaining were measured and nutrient content for both determined in order to calculate nutrients consumed. Mean body mass (BM) ranged from 0.77 kg to 2.61 kg and mean daily dry matter intake (DMI) per animal ranged from 3.98 to 8.05 gxkg BM(-1). The average nutrient content of the diets offered on a dry matter basis (DMB) was 16.26 – 26.95% crude protein (CP), 13.13 – 24.29% acid detergent fiber (ADF), 16.20 – 28.90% neutral detergent fiber (NDF), 2.23 – 3.83% crude fat, 1.15 – 2.44% calcium (Ca), and 0.38 – 0.60% phosphorus (P). The average nutrient content of the diets consumed was 11.24 – 19.94% crude protein (CP), 5.90 – 30.40% acid detergent fiber (ADF), and 7.97 – 35.33% neutral detergent fiber (NDF), 1.52 – 4.04% crude fat, 0.38 – 3.56% calcium (Ca), and 0.38 – 0.60% phosphorus (P). These data provide a basis for the establishment of a database, which will provide valuable information to improve nutritional husbandry of captive Jamaican iguanas. Additional studies are underway to further define the feeding ecology and nutritional needs for this species.

Ward-Comparison Of Dietary Intake In Captive, Jamaican Iguanas {Cyclura collei) At Four United States Zoos.pdf     2 MB