Animal Nutrition

Flashcards for review

Small Ruminants

Term used to describe deer, sheep (Ovis aries) & goats (Capra hircus).

1st chamber of 4-chambered stomach

First = Rumen (largest, site of fermentation, propels food out)

2nd chamber of 4-chambered stomach

2nd = Reticulum (honeycomb, contractions help mix/sort)

3rd chamber of 4-chambered stomach

3rd = Omasum (absorption)

4th chamber of 4-chambered stomach

4th = Abomasum (the “true” stomach, acid/enzyme secretion

Ram

Male sheep

Ewe

Female sheep

Lambs

Young sheep

Buck

Male goat

Doe

Female goat

Kids

Young goats

Ruminant Anatomy

4-chambered stomach

Sheep Diet

Sheep are selective grazers, preferring grasses and herbs

Goat Diet

Goats will select for the most nutrient-rich parts of plants and secondarily graze as needed

Copper in Sheep

Excess copper in the diet is stored in the liver, over time this can lead to copper toxicity, especially when stressed

Bucks are at high risk of urolithiasis (bladder stones) when fed:

High grain, low forage diets / Diets high in calcium, phosphorus and/or magnesium / Diets low in Vitamin A

Polioencephalomalacia

High grain, low roughage diets promotes the growth of thiaminase-producing bacteria in the rumen

Camelids

Family consists of dromedary and Bactrian camels, llamas and alpacas, and the less well-known vicuñas, and guanacos

Camelid Anatomy

3 chambered stomach: Compartments 1- 3 similar to Rumen, Reticulum, and Omasum/Abomasum, respectively

Camelid Hydration

Essential Nutrient: Water

Feeding the Camelid

Recommend mostly roughages with vitamin/mineral supplements as needed based on deficiencies in the local roughages

Pregnancy Toxemia:

High metabolic demand without adequate intake leads to increased ketone production, which can be fatal

DO NOT GIVE __ FEED (the antibiotic commonly found in cattle feed) as it is very toxic to camelids

Monensin

Nutritional philosophy for reptiles and amphibians

Mimic their natural (wild) diet as much as possible!

Herbivorous Reptiles

Green Iguana and most Tortoise species

Omnivorous Reptiles

Many Turtle species and Bearded Dragons

Carnivorous Reptiles

Snakes and some Lizard species

Insectivorous Reptiles

Geckos, Chameleons, many other Lizard species

Nutritional Diseases of Reptiles

Calcium deficiency leads to bone remodeling and fractures

Amphibians

aquatic plants and algea generally sufficient for larvae

Bears

Family considered omnivores (digestive tract much like canines)

Primates

Mostly omnivores, except tarsiers are carnivores & geladas are herbivores

Birds of Prey

Carnivorous avians such as eagles, hawks, raptors, falcons, vultures, owls, storks, herons, gulls, penguins, kookaburras, pelicans, & osprey

Crocodilians

Crocodilians include crocodiles, alligators, gharials, & caimens

Hippopotamidae

Hippos are semi-aquatic mammals (whales are closest living relatives!)

Xenarthra

Xenarthra consists of anteaters, sloths and armadillos

Marsupials

Marsupials includes koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, possums, opossums, Tasmanian devils, & sugar gliders among others

Chiroptera

Some bats are insectivores, but most are fruit-eaters and some eat nectar

Marine Mammals

“Marine Mammals” refers to a diverse group of ocean-inhabiting aquatic animals such as whales, dolphins, manatees, and sea otters

__ are keratin like your nails or hair and used to filter out water trapping plankton in the mouth

Baleen