2008 Student Research Conference:
21st Annual Student Research Conference

Digestibility of Prepared Diets in Selected Wild Felines
Nicole L. Novak
Dr. Michael Seipel, Faculty Mentor

Closure of horse slaughter plants in the United States has made horsemeat-based diets for zoo felines more difficult to obtain. The current study compared Toronto brand horsemeat to Dallas Crown brand horsemeat for the black jaguar, ocelot, and caracal at the Phoenix Zoo. Data gathered included diet offered, diet remaining, feeding time, temperature, percent humidity, fecal output, and stool quality score. Various tests were performed on fecal samples to determine the percent of moisture, dry matter, and crude protein, along with multiple elements. Preliminary analysis shows that the digestibility of the diets offered did not vary greatly in the majority of the areas tested.

Keywords: digestibility, diet, felines, zoo

Topic(s):Agricultural Science

Presentation Type: Oral Paper

Session: 29-3
Location: VH 1428
Time: 1:45

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