Nutrition Flashcards
Describe the diet of adult amphibians.
Carnivorous, many opportunistic
Are amphibians cannabalistic?
Yes, will cannibalize larvae of their own and other species
Can amphibians adapt to dietary modifications required for housing in the laboratory? How do many terrestrial and semi-aquatic frog species orient to their prey?
Yes, but animals slow to adapt can be maintained on puree delivered through a feeding needle until they begin eating on their own. Many orient visually.
Why should raw meat and organs not be fed to young, growing, amphibians? What are other concerns with feeding raw meat?
Calcium deficiency. Salmonella and Chamydiophilia outbreaks.
Do most whole vertebrate prey items constitute a balanced diet for larger amphibians?
Yes, if properly nourished. Bones provide calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. Liver and kidney provide vitamins, pancreas provides zinc, and thyroids iodine.
What is a concern if feeding invertebrates?
Chitinous exoskeleton is indigestible with little to no calcium of other nutrients. Calcium supplementation dusted on prior to feeding or fed a diet-that is vitamin-mineral rich (gut loaded) immediately before feeding.
What minerals and vitamins are of concern for amphibian diets.
Ca and vitamin A
To avoid feeding prey items of poor nutritional quality, how should prey animals be raised?
On in-house nutritious diets
How often should amphibians be fed?
Daily to twice weekly, depending on species, age, and ambient temp.
Active species - At least 3x/week
Xenopus - Fed to satiation 2-3x/week
Axolotls - Small amounts daily
What do larval amphibians eat? Exceptions?
Salamanders - Carnivorous. Hatchling Cryptobranchus (Hellbenders) have large yolk sacs and rely on yolk for nutrition for first few months of life.
Tadpoles - More omnivorous, may have specific feeding mechanisms. Xenopus tadpoles are filter feeders.
Larval amphibians voracious and should be fed more frequently than adults.
