Aspects of digestive anatomy, feed intake and digestion in the Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) at Taipei zoo
Journal
Zoo Biology
Journal Volume
34
Journal Issue
3
Pages
262-270
Date Issued
2015
Author(s)
Abstract
Pangolins are considered difficult to maintain in zoos, often attributed to problems in feeding management. Taipei Zoo's designation as a wildlife rescue center for Chinese pangolins (Manis pentadactyla) has resulted in long term feeding experience with development of diets that support recovery, maintenance, and reproduction, as well as experimental opportunities to further understand digestive physiology to optimize nutrition. Opportunistic dissection of 10 animals revealed details of the tongue, salivary glands, stomach and gastrointestinal tract (GIT), including confirmation of anatomical differences between Asian and African pangolin species. Length of the total GIT relative to body length (? 9:1) was greater than found in domestic carnivores, more similar to omnivorous species. Intake and digestion trials conducted with 4 animals demonstrated that pangolins maintained body weights (BW; 6-9kg) consuming diets containing 32-40% crude protein, 20-25% crude fat, and 13-28% crude fiber (DM basis). Daily DM intakes ranged from ?40 to 70g per animal, with digestible energy intake 51.5-87.5kcal /kg BW0.75/day; pangolins consumed 9.4-15.2g DM/kg BW0.75/day. Dietary energy data support observations of low metabolism and maintenance requirements for this species, similar to values reported for other myrmecophageous species. Addition of 5% ground chitin to diets improved fecal consistency, and decreased digestibility of DM, protein, and energy; addition of chitosan (chitin treated with NaOH) resulted in diet rejection. This information may assist in enhancement of captive diets, as well as in controlling obesity in pangolins. ? 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Subjects
Chitin; Diet; Fiber; Insectivore; Nutrition
SDGs
Other Subjects
Animalia; Manis pentadactyla; anatomy and histology; animal; animal food; digestion; digestive system; eating; mammal; physiology; Taiwan; zoo animal; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; Animals, Zoo; Digestion; Digestive System; Eating; Mammals; Taiwan
Type
journal article