Untersuchungen zur Fütterung und Verdauungsphysiologie am Indischen Panzernashorn (Rhinoceros unicornis).
Studies on digestive physiology and feed digestibilities in captive Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis).
Dissertation
182 Seite
Klinik für Zoo-, Heim- und Wildtiere, Department für Kleintiere, Vetsuisse-Fakultät der Universität Zürich
Leitung: Prof. Dr. Marcus Clauss
Zoo München, Zoo Basel, Zoo Nürnberg
Abstract:
In this study, food intake and apparent digestibility coefficients of eleven adult Indian rhinoceroses from four zoos were investigated. In each case, the regular zoo diet (concentrates and roughage, ration conc.) and, after an adaptation period of at least seven days, a roughage-only diet (ration rough.) were used. Faeces were collected in toto. Additionally, the mean retention time of fluids and particles in the gastrointestinal tract were measured, as well as the faecal concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFA) and lactate, faecal pH, faecal particle size distribution, water intake and the calcium:creatinine-ratio in sporadically sampled urine. Four animals were actually weighed; the body weight of the other animals was estimated. The following results were obtained: 1. Mean retention time: the average mean retention time of the fluid marker (CoEDTA) in the total gastrointestinal tract was 41.4 ± 3.7 h (n = 6) and of the particle marker (Cr-mordanted fibre, particle size < 2 mm) 60.0 ± 3.7 h (n = 6). 2. Results on food intake, apparent digestibility coefficients and intake of digestible energy are presented in Table 32.
The concentration of lactate in faeces was on average 1.9 ± 0.7 mmol/I faecal water (n=13) and did not differ between rations. The concentration of VFA in faeces was on average 39.4 mmol/l faecal water (n=6) on ration conc. and 25.4 mmol/I faecal water (n=6) on ration rough.; the ratio of acetate to proprionate was on average 5.5 and 8.2, respectively. Faecal pH did not differ between rations and was 6.4 ± 0.2 (n=8). 4. Faecal particle size distribution did not differ between rations. On average, 40.9 t 16.2% (n=14) of all particles retained on the sieves was of a size > 4 mm. 5. The average total water intake was 4.1 ± 1.0 kg/100 kg BW (n=14) and did not differ between rations. 6. The calcium:creatinine-ratio in urine increased with increasing calcium intake
polster-biblio
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