Feeding amphibians and Cultures of invertebrates PDF
Preview Feeding amphibians and Cultures of invertebrates
Feeding amphibians and Cultures of invertebrates Materials produced by: Gerardo Garcia, Durrell Background Amphibian nutritional requirements unknown Stomach contents best we have in most cases Few studied throughout the year, life time Incredible diversity of species Feeding Considerations • What will they eat? • Can I supply enough of the food item all year long? • How is the food going to be offered? Are they eating? • Hand feeding • Counting the food in and out • Presence of feces • Periodic massings Supply and Demand • Variety is the spice of life. • To culture or not to culture How is the food going to be offered? • Hand feeding • Broadcast feeding • Feeders Diet All adult amphibians are carnivores Larvae (tadpoles/efts) may be herbivorous, carnivorous, omnivorous or pass through one or more diet preferences throughout development Dietary items are mostly invertebrates of appropriate size but large species can consume vertebrates including other amphibians, reptiles, birds and small mammals Amphibians capture their prey with a sticky tongue or directly with their jaws and swallow their prey whole, often alive Food composition • Water • Protein • Carbohydrates • Fats • Minerals • Vitamins • Hormones • Toxins • Indigestible – chitin – fiber Water Carbohydrates • Important Nutrient Provide Energy • Makes food Palatable Digestible Sugars provide energy • Facilitates intestinal motility Indigestible Sugars • Facilitates absorption of vitamins, sugars Cellulose • Important to evaluate nutritional components Important to peristalsis in diet on dry weight basis Largest nutrient by weight and volume Often overlooked as a nutrient Provides no energy (calories) If not present in sufficient quantity: Not palatable Poor intestinal motility Poor absorption and distribution of sugars, B-vitamins and other water-soluble nutrients Must compare food on a dry matter basis to see accurate content of nutrients in food Proteins Amino Acids Building Blocks Low protein diets Muscle weakness Cardiac arrhythmias Hydrocoelom Poor reproduction Skin lesions (collagen tears) Immunosuppression High protein diets (unbalanced) Gout (excess purines) Excess water demand to flush out nitrogenous wastes (ammonia, urea, uric acid)
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