Carnivorous Diet Composition and Digestion

Question 1

Dry matter

Answer 1

Moisture content= 100-DM

Question 2

Ash

Answer 2

not energy yielding (so higher ash= lower energy density)

Question 3

Bone

Answer 3

consumed(partially) to meet calcium requirements

also contains marrow (source of protein/fat)

Question 4

Crude Protein

Answer 4

lower in lab mouse (CP often inversely related to EE)

hair/fur/feathers contain CP (keratin) but not digestible

Question 5

Ether Extract

Answer 5

most variable component of wild animals diet times
carcasses often analyses from hunter kills
very high in lab mice

Question 6

Crude Fibre

Answer 6

insoluble carbohydrates (cellulose/hemicellulose)
easier to define/ ID with herbivorous diets

for carnivorous diets crude fibre is mostly in GIT contents of prey

Question 7

Nitrogen Free Extract

Answer 7

calculates not analyzed

for carnivorous diets= glycogen

Question 8

Energy Density

Answer 8

can be analyzed or calculated

CP, EE, NFE= energy yielding

can be affected by

• season
• hibernation
• migration
• prey source

Question 9

Digestibility equation

Answer 9

= [(nutrients in food - nutrients in feces) / nutirents in food ] x100