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Mendoza P, Furuta C, Garcia B, Zena LA, Artoni S, Dierenfeld ES, Bícego KC, Carciofi AC. Starch and fiber intake effects on energy metabolism, growth, and carapacial scute pyramiding of red-footed tortoise hatchlings (Chelonoidis carbonaria). Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2021; 265:111131. [PMID: 34958956 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2021.111131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Revised: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Tortoise husbandry includes reports of excessive growth and carapace pyramiding, although triggers still remain to be fully elucidated. Juvenile red-footed tortoises (Chelonoidis carbonaria) were fed with two different diets, one high in fiber (HF; 14.2% crude fiber; 39.2% neutral detergent fiber, NDF; dry matter basis, DMB) and one high in starch (HS; 27.7% DMB), to assess effects on energy metabolism, nutrient digestibility, and growth. A total of 20 hatchlings (10 per diet) were used to evaluate: apparent digestibility coefficients (Da) of nutrients and gross energy (GE), passage times at 5 and 11 months of age; resting and post-prandial metabolic rates at 6 and 12 months of age; growth rates; pyramiding; and estimated body composition. Animals fed HS showed higher mass-specific intake of digestible energy (113.9 ± 32.1 kJ kg-1 day-1 vs. 99.6 ± 35.3 kJ kg-1 day-1; P < 0.05), digestible DM (6.1 ± 1.8 g kg-1 day-1 vs. 5.0 ± 1.8 g kg-1 day-1; P < 0.01), shorter transit (3 ± 1 days vs. 4 ± 1 days; P < 0.01) and retention times (8 ± 2 days vs. 10 ± 2 days; P < 0.01), and higher Da of DM, starch, NDF, and GE. Crude protein Da was higher for HF. Rest and post-prandial metabolic rates, and pyramiding degree were not affected by diets. At 13 months, the animals from HS presented wider plastrons and carapaces, and higher carapace width growth rates. In addition, these animals had lower body mineral content (1.88 ± 0.15% vs. 2.15 ± 0.19%; P < 0.01) and bone density (0.13 ± 0.01 g mm-2 vs. 0.15 ± 0.02 g mm-2; P < 0.02). Results provide evidence that highly digestible foods can accelerate shell growth and lower mineralization in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierina Mendoza
- Department of Animal Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, Jaboticabal, 14884-900 São Paulo, Brazil; Wildhunger-Wildlife Nutrition Advisory, Lima, Peru.
| | - Camila Furuta
- Department of Animal Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, Jaboticabal, 14884-900 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Garcia
- Department of Biology Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, Jaboticabal, 14884-900 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucas A Zena
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, 413 90 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Silvana Artoni
- Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, Jaboticabal, 14884-900 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ellen S Dierenfeld
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom; Zootrition Consulting, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Kênia C Bícego
- Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, Jaboticabal, 14884-900 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Aulus C Carciofi
- Department of Veterinary Clinic and Surgery, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, Jaboticabal, 14884-900 São Paulo, Brazil.
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Abstract
The green iguana (Iguana iguana) is a large arboreal lizard with complex environmental requirements, generally making this a poor choice as a companion animal. Husbandry deficiencies are a common contributor to clinical disease, and it is important to be aware of the environmental conditions for this species and relevance of any deficiencies to animal health. This article covers the husbandry of this species. Part 2 will focus on sample collection and common presenting health concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Kubiak
- Recognised Specialist in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, West Midland Safari Park, Spring Grove Rd, Bewdley DY12 1LF
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Franz R, Hummel J, Müller DW, Bauert M, Hatt JM, Clauss M. Herbivorous reptiles and body mass: Effects on food intake, digesta retention, digestibility and gut capacity, and a comparison with mammals. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2011; 158:94-101. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2010.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2010] [Revised: 09/10/2010] [Accepted: 09/12/2010] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Ritz J, Hammer C, Clauss M. Body size development of captive and free-ranging Leopard tortoises (Geochelone pardalis). Zoo Biol 2009; 29:517-25. [DOI: 10.1002/zoo.20273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Abstract
In reptile practice, most nutritional problems arise from improper husbandry, including poor feeding management and provision of imbalanced diets. Each reptile species has its own requirements for temperature and humidity, space and social interaction, lighting, and habitat components. Failure, to provide these requirements often results in failure to thrive and secondary nutritional disorders. Common dietary problems include deficiencies of energy, calcium, vitamin D3, vitamin A, and fiber.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Donoghue
- Nutrition Support Services, Inc., Walkabout Farm, Pembroke, Virginia, USA
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