Caring for Selected Otter Species (Asian small-clawed, Cape ...

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*** The vitamin A requirement for cats is 10 IU/g (dry matter basis; NRC 1986), which represents the upper bound of the range. However, free-ranging N.A. otters consume a higher proportion of fish and may have a higher tolerance for vitamin A due to the high levels, which occur in their natural diet. a When mostly fish diets are offered, the presence of unsaturated fatty acids and thiaminases causes the breakdown of these vitamins. Thus, dietary levels of 400 IU vitamin E/kg of dry diet and 100-120mg thiamin/kg of dry diet or 25-30mg thiamine/kg fresh weight as fed basis are recommended (Engelhardt & Geraci 1978; Bernard & Allen 1997). b The recommended Ca:P ration is between 1:1 and 2:1 The table below contains updated information on feline nutritional requirements based on NRC recommendations published in 2006. The original target values have been retained for comparison. See Dierenfeld et al. (2002) for information on nutrient composition of whole vertebrate prey. Appendix B provides a description of the nutrients listed in these tables. Table 2: Target nutrient ranges for carnivorous species (dry matter basis) NRC 1986 Cat 1 NRC 2006 Cat 2 Arctic fox 3 Mink 4 Carniv 5 Nutrient Maintenance Growth Maintenance Gestation Lactation Maintenance Maintenance All Protein (%) 24-30 22.5 20 21.3-30 19.7-29.6 21.8-26 19.7-30 Fat (%) 9.0-10.5 9.0 9.0 15.0 -- -- 9-15 Linoleic Acid (mg/kg) 0.5 0.55 0.55 0.55 -- -- 0.5-0.55 Vitamin A (IU/g) 3.3-9.0 3.55 3.55 7.5 2.44 5.9 2.44-9 Vitamin D (IU/g) 0.5-0.75 0.25 0.25 0.25 -- -- 0.25-0.75 Vitamin E (mg/kg) 27-30 38.0 38.0 38.0 -- 27.0 27-38 Vitamin K (mg/kg) 0.1 1.0 1.0 1.0 -- -- 0.1-1 Thiamin (mg/kg) 5.0 5.5 5.6 5.5 1.0 1.3 1-5.6 Riboflavin (mg/kg) 3.9-4.0 4.25 4.25 4.25 3.7 1.6 1.6-4.25 Niacin (mg/kg) 40-60 42.5 42.5 42.5 9.6 20.0 9.6-60 Pyridoxine (mg/kg) 4.0 2.5 2.5 2.5 1.8 1.6 1.6-4 Folacin (mg/kg) 0.79-0.8 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.2 0.5 0.2-0.8 Biotin (mg/kg) 0.07-0.08 0.075 0.075 0.075 -- 0.12 0.07-0.12 Vitamin B 12 (mg/kg) 0.02 0.022 0.022 0.022 -- 0.032 0.02-0.032 Pantothenic acid (mg/kg) 5.0 6.25 6.25 6.25 7.4 8.0 5-8 Choline (mg/kg) 2400 2550 2550 2550 -- -- 2400-2550 Calcium (%) 0.8-1.0 0.8 0.29 1.08 0.6 0.3-0.4 0.29-1.08 Phosphorus (%) 0.6-0.8 0.72 0.26 0.76 0.6 0.3-0.4 0.26-0.8 Magnesium (%) 0.03-0.08 0.04 0.04 0.06 -- -- 0.03-0.08 Potassium (%) 0.4-0.6 0.4 0.52 0.52 -- -- 0.4-0.6 Sodium (%) 0.05-0.2 0.14 0.068 0.132 -- -- 0.05-0.2 Iron (mg/kg) 80.0 80.0 80.0 80.0 -- -- 80 Zinc (mg/kg) 50-75 75.0 75.0 60.0 -- -- 50-75 Copper (mg/kg) 5.0 8.4 5.0 8.8 -- -- 5-8.8 Manganese (mg/kg) 5.0 4.8 4.8 7.2 -- -- 4.8-7.2 Iodine (mg/kg) 0.35-0.42 2.2 2.2 2.2 -- -- 0.35-2.2 Selenium (mg/kg) 0.1 0.4 0.4 0.4 -- -- 0.1-0.4 1 NRC (1986), Legrand-Defretin and Munday (1993), AAFCO (1994). All numbers are based on requirement set for maintenance. 2 Dog and Cat NRC (2006). 3 NRC (1982). Protein is range of growth and maintenance; vitamins are for growth, and minerals for growth and maintenance. 4 NRC (1982). Protein is for maintenance, vitamins are for weaning to 13 weeks and minerals are a range of growing and maintenance. 5 Combination of cat, mink, and fox 28
Diet formulation should account for animal preferences, body weight, exercise, physical condition, environmental/seasonal changes, behavioral considerations, diet item availability, gastrointestinal tract morphology, and actual nutrient requirements. Primarily piscivorous, otters have high metabolic rates, rapid digestion, and have been found to spend 41- 60% of their time involved in feeding or foraging activities (Hoover & Tyler 1986; Davis et. al 1992; Kruuk 1995; J.Reed-Smith, unpublished data). Duplaix-Hall (1975) found that otters (unidentified species) in the wild rarely ate more than about 500g of food at a time, and that they consumed approximately 20% of their own body weight daily. Kruuk (1995) reviewed his and other study results indicating captive Lutra lutra consuming between 11.9- 15% of their body weight maintained a healthy weight. Ben-David et al. (2000, 2001a and b) reported success using 10% of a captive L. canadensis’ body weight as a guide for the basis of their maintenance diet. See section 5.2 for sample diets for the various otter species. Changing nutrient requirements – age An animal’s diet should be developed to maintain optimal weight or weight gain and normal physical development for a young animal. Diets for young or senescent adults should take into account their activity level, dental development and/or condition. Changing nutrient requirements – reproduction There is an increased need for energy during lactation. Tumanov & Sorina (1997) supported the use of high-energy diets for lactating female mustelids. Fat is the most concentrated source of energy in the diet. For lactating females, fat levels in the diet may be increased to support lactation (see below for exceptions) and also to provide increased energy to minimize mobilization of body stores and metabolic stress associated with milk production. Diet increases for lactating otters should be based on past experiences with individual otters and/or observed body weight loss (mobilization of tissue to support lactation). To date, institutions have typically increased the amount of fish offered a lactating female versus simply increasing the fat content by switching the type of food offered. An increase of 10-30% is the accepted rule. Seasonal changes in nutritional needs An animal’s weight should be monitored regularly, and diets adjusted accordingly. Some institutions report seasonal changes in appetite of some otters, but not in the majority of animals. Further research in this area is required. An animal’s weight should be regularly monitored and diets adjusted accordingly. At this time, further research into seasonal nutritional requirements is required. Weight loss While otters should carry some body fat, and not be kept artificially thin, they are prone to gaining excessive weight in captivity. Tarasoff (1974) reported subcutaneous fat primarily deposits at the base of the tail and caudally on the rear legs with smaller deposits around the genitalia and in the axillary regions. There are several ways to approach formulating a weight loss diet for otters. Depending on the food items available, the feeding situation (fed alone or in a group), and the amount of weight loss desired, one or more of the following approaches may be appropriate. - Feed less total food: By reducing the amount of total food offered, weight loss may occur. This practice is confounded by the aggression observed in most otters, and particularly A. cinereus groups around feeding time, and the potential for this to increase when less food is offered. - Add more water to the diet: By providing a diet that contains more moisture, the total calories in the diet are diluted, and this may allow weight loss. The otter can consume the same amount of total diet, but will actually be consuming fewer calories. - Increase the “bulk” of the diet: By adding indigestible or lower calorie items to the diet, the total “bulk” of the diet can be increased, effectively diluting the calories in the diet. The otter can consume the same amount of total diet, but will actually be consuming fewer calories. 29
Page 1 and 2: Version 3, 9 December 2009 Caring f
Page 3 and 4: Table of Contents Taxonomy ........
Page 5 and 6: Pup development ...................
Page 7 and 8: * Some recent resources are still u
Page 9 and 10: This semi-aquatic species is found
Page 11 and 12: Facilities that rely on climate con
Page 13 and 14: - Chlorine: Chlorine can be used, i
Page 15 and 16: The minimum exhibit size (including
Page 17 and 18: olfactory, and audio separation to
Page 19 and 20: CHAPTER 3: Transport Preparations T
Page 21 and 22: oth institutions notified as quickl
Page 23 and 24: The only social grouping not recomm
Page 25 and 26: a daily basis, allowing all animals
Page 27: CHAPTER 5: Nutrition Nutritional Re
Page 31 and 32: • Grated fruit and vegetables: ca
Page 33 and 34: - Vitamin E: 400 IU/kg dry weight b
Page 35 and 36: Preventive Medicine It is important
Page 37 and 38: Parasite control Otters should have
Page 39 and 40: Urination Defecation Frequency, amo
Page 41 and 42: - Ketamine: 12-15mg/kg & midazolam:
Page 43 and 44: Kimber, K. DVM, G.V. Kollias DVM, P
Page 45 and 46: Pair management Group management Si
Page 47 and 48: infections, which frequently cause
Page 49 and 50: Gestation is roughly 60-63 days (R.
Page 51 and 52: L. canadensis: Pups can be removed
Page 53 and 54: and scattered around the enclosure.
Page 55 and 56: formula feeding and 8-10% body wt i
Page 57 and 58: 3:1* 22.90 10.97 8.63 1.54 1.59 1.5
Page 59 and 60: - First spots seen ~6 days, whitish
Page 61 and 62: CHAPTER 8: Behavior Management Anim
Page 63 and 64: Behavior Verbal cue Visual cue Crit
Page 65 and 66: - Can it be used as a weapon - Can
Page 67 and 68: Factors that should be considered w
Page 69 and 70: CHAPTER 9: Education/Conservation M
Page 71 and 72: References AAFCO 1994. Association
Page 73 and 74: Gatz, V. 2002. Protected contact tr
Page 75 and 76: Arbeitstagung der Zootierärzte im
Page 77 and 78: Yerke, R. and A. Burns. 1993. Evalu
Page 79 and 80:
APPENDIX A: Photos Included here ar
Page 81 and 82:
Squeeze cage design used by several
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niacin helps the body to convert en
Page 85 and 86:
APPENDIX C: Pup Weights of Captive
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APPENDIX D: List of Commonly Traine
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APPENDIX E: Enrichment Items Common
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APPENDIX F: Resources for Enrichmen
Page 93 and 94:
Bloomsmith M, Laule G, Thurston R,
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Age of Game Fish in Ozark Otter Sto
Page 97 and 98:
The husbandry, maintenance, enginee
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o o o o o Microbiology Incubator Fu
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APPENDIX 1: GLOSSARY OF RELEVANT TE
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The use of any filtering substance
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PROJECT DESCRIPTION Project: Otter
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Have you ever failed to complete an
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OTTER EXHIBIT LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM R
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1. Inspection a. Examination: The c
Page 113 and 114:
APPENDIX 3: DISINFECTION Bromine Br
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In its liquid form (sodium hypochlo
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APPENDIX 4: SKIMMER BOXES All skimm
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119
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APPENDIX 5: ALGAE CONTROL Algae in
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APPENDIX I: Female Otter Reintroduc
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Version 3, 9 December 2009 APPENDIX
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____________ live in aquatic ______
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Otter is hungry. Can you help him f
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