Study

Nutritional composition and digestibility by ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) of whole animals and a commercial diet

  • Published source details Bennett C.L., Booth‐Binczik S.D. & Steele S.R.E. (2010) Nutritional composition and digestibility by ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) of whole animals and a commercial diet. Zoo Biology, 29, 753-759.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Carnivores: Feed whole carcasses (with or without organs/gastrointestinal tract)

Action Link
Management of Captive Animals
  1. Carnivores: Feed whole carcasses (with or without organs/gastrointestinal tract)

    A replicated, randomized, study in 1994 of ocelots Leopardus pardalis in three zoos in the USA, found that a diet of whole week-old chickens was lower in digestible energy and fat compared to commercial feline diet, whole mice, rat, rabbit, or quail  and lower in dry matter digestibility compared to whole rabbit and quail diets. There were no other differences in energy, fat or protein digestibility between diets (mean values not reported). The diets did not differ in macronutrient content. Whole prey items may be more suitable for enrichment or supplementary feeding if their lower digestibility decreases the risk of overfeeding. Six ocelots in three zoos were fed once daily using six experimental diets: a commercial feline diet, adult mice, immature rabbits, immature rats, week-old domestic chickens and adult quail. Each ocelot received each diet for 1–3 trials in a random order.

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